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and with no claim。
Being an aspect of natural order；
it is not the ruler of any thing；
but remains the source of their nourishment。
It cannot be seen； it has no intention；
but all natural things rely on its presence。
When all things return to it；
it does not enslave them；
so unmanifested； its greatness prevails。
Modelling himself upon the Tao；
he who is wise； does not contrive；
but is content with what he achieves。
35
THE BENEVOLENT HOST
The wise man acts at one with the Tao；
for he knows it is here that peace is found。
It is for this reason that he is sought。
Whilst guests enjoy good music and food；
as these are supplied by a benevolent host；
a description of Tao seems without form；
for it cannot be heard and cannot be seen。
But when the music and food are all ended；
the taste of the Tao still remains。
36
OVERCOMING
It is the way of the Tao；
that things which expand might also shrink；
that he who is strong； will at some time be weak；
that he who is raised will then be cast down；
and that all men have a need to give；
and also have a need to receive。
The biggest fish stay deep in the pond；
and a country's best weapons
should be kept locked away。
That which is soft and supple；
may overcome the hard and strong。
37
THE EXERCISE OF LEADERSHIP
The way of nature is not contrived；
yet nothing which is required
is left undone。
Observing nature； the wise leader knows this；
and replaces desire with dispassion；
thus saving that energy； otherwise spent；
which has not been wasted away。
The wise leader knows
his actions must be
without the use of forced energy。
He knows that more
is still required；
for he also knows
that he must act
without deliberate intent；
of having no intention。
To act without contrived intent
is to act without contriving；
and is the way of nature；
and so is the way of the Tao。
38
THE CONCERNS OF THE GREAT
A truly good man is unaware
of the good deeds he performs。
Conversely； a foolish man must try
continuously to be good。
A good man seems to do little or nought；
yet he leaves nothing undone。
A foolish man must always strive；
whilst leaving much undone。
The man who is truly wise and kind
leaves nothing to be done；
but he who only acts
according to his nation's law
leaves many things undone。
A disciplinarian wanting something done
rolls up his sleeves；
enforcing it with violence。
It may be that goodness still remains；
even when the natural way is lost；
and that kindness still exists
when goodness is forgotten。
It may be that justice still remains
when the people are no longer kind；
and when this is lost； that ritual still remains。
However； ritual may be performed
only as an act of faith；
and may be the beginning of confusion；
for even divination and the such
are but the flowery trappings of the Tao；
and are the beginning of great folly。
He who is truly great
does not upon the surface dwell；
but on what lies beneath。
It is said that the fruit is his concern；
rather than the flower。
Each must decide what it might be he seeks；
the flowery trapping；
which comes to summer fullness first；
or the fruit which is beneath。
39
SUFFICIENCY AND QUIETNESS
From the principle which is called the Tao；
the sky； the earth； and creativity are one；
the sky is clear； the earth is firm；
and the spirit of the inner world is full。
When the ruler of the land is whole；
the nation too is strong； alive and well；
and the people have sufficient
to meet their earthly needs。
When the daytime sky is dark
and overcast like night；
the nation and its people
will surely suffer much。
The firmness of the dew filled earth
gives it its life；
the energy of the inner world
prevents its becoming drained of strength；
its fullness prevents it running dry。
The growth of all things
prevents their dying。
The work of the leader should ensure
the prosperity of the populace。
So it is said；
〃humility is the root
of great nobility；
the low forms a foundation
for the great；
and princes consider themselves
to be of little worth〃。
Each depends on humility therefore；
it is of no advantage to have too much success；
so do not sound loudly like jade bells；
nor clatter like stone chimes。
40
BEING AND NOT BEING
The motion of nature
is cyclic and returning。
Its way is to yield；
for to yield is to become。
All things are born of being；
being is born of non…being。
41
SAMENESS AND DIFFERENCE
On hearing of the Tao；
the wise student's practice is with diligence；
the average student attends to his practice
when his memory reminds him so to do；
and the foolish student laughs。
But we do well to remember
that with no sudden laughter；
there would be no natural way。
Thus it is said；
〃There are times when even brightness seems dim；
when progress seems like regression；
when the easy seems most difficult；
and virtue seems empty； inadequate and frail；
times when purity seems sullied；
when even reality seems unreal；
and when a square seems to have corners；
when even great talent is of no avail；
and the highest note cannot be heard；
when the formed seems formless；
and when the way of nature is out of sight〃。
Even in such times as these；
the natural way still nourishes；
that all things may be fulfilled。
42
THE TRANSFORMATIONS OF THE TAO
The Tao existed before its name；
and from its name； the opposites evolved；
giving rise to three divisions；
and then to names abundant。
These things embrace receptively；
achieving inner harmony；
and by their unity create
the inner world of man。
No man wishes to be seen
as worthless in another's eyes；
but the wise leader describes himself this way；
for he knows that one may gain by losing；
and lose by gaining；
and that a violent man
will not die a natural death。
43
AT ONE WITH TAO
Only the soft overcomes the hard；
by yielding； bringing it to peace。
Even where there is no space；
that which has no substance enters in。
Through these things is shown
the value of the natural way。
The wise man understands full well；
that wordless teaching can take place；
and that actions should occur
without the wish for self…advancement。
44
SUFFICIENCY
A contented man knows himself to be
more precious even than fame；
and so； obscure； remains。
He who is more attached to wealth
than to himself；
suffers more heav