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and the losers are one with loss。
Those who identify with the Tao； the Tao so empowers。
Those who identify with power； the Tao so empowers。
Those who identify with loss； the Tao so empowers。
The untrustworthy have no trust。
24
The Big Shot： Pride comes before a fall
Those who stand on tiptoe are not steady。
Those who stand with legs astride cannot walk。
Those who hold a high opinion of themselves are not enlightened。
Those who admire themselves are not beautiful。
Those who think much of themselves are worthless。
Those who are conceited will not endure。
Those with the Tao call this self…indulgent and parasitical behavior。
These are loathsome things。
So those in the Tao will have nothing to do with them。
25
The Way of the Universe： The four great realms
There is a substance； utterly formless。
It existed before Heaven and Earth were born。
So silent！ So vast！
It is solitary and unchanging； all pervasive and without end。
It could be considered the Mother of Heaven and Earth。
I do not know its name； but if I must find a word for it；
I will call it the Tao。
And if I must describe it； I will call it vast。
Being vast； it permeates everywhere。
Permeating everywhere； it is far reaching。
Reaching far； it returns。
The Tao is great。
Heaven is great。
Earth is great。
Humankind is great。
These are the four great things in the Universe；
and Humankind is one of them。
Humankind follows the law of Earth。
Earth follows the law of Heaven。
Heaven follows the law of the Tao。
The Tao follows its own law。
26
Taking Care of Business： Personal responsibility
Just as the meaningful is the origin of the trivial；
so calmness is the master of agitation。
That is why the gentleman； all through the day抯 journey；
does not leave his baggage unattended。
Though there may be exquisite scenery；
and places where swallows fly； he passes them by。
Only when he is safely in his inn and relaxing； is he free of concern。
How can we be master of a thousand chariots；
and treat ourselves with disrespect？
Those who act lightly lose their base。
Those who are impetuous； lose control。
27
Skillful Means： Teachers and students
Good walkers leave no trace。
Good speakers place no blame。
Those good with numbers need no calculator。
Those able to secure things have no need for lock or key；
yet no one can open it。
Those good at tying； need no rope for binding；
yet no one can undo it。
This is why wise people are always able to help others；
and no one is abandoned。
They are good at looking after things；
and nothing is wasted。
This is called twofold understanding。
Therefore； the skillful person
is the teacher of those who are less competent；
and those who are less competent
are the raw material of the skillful person。
Not to treasure one抯 teacher； and not to treasure one抯 resources； even if we are clever； will lead us far astray。
This is called the subtle essence of the mystery。
28
The Good； the Bad； and the Ugly： Seeing who we are
By knowing the masculine； and keeping in touch with the feminine； we are of use to the world。
By being of use in the world； we are true to our original nature；
and we return to the innocence of a child。
By seeing our clarity； and also acknowledging our obscurity；
we serve as a model in the world。
By serving as a model for the world； our integrity is unimpaired；
and we return to our limitless nature。
Even when receiving praise； we remember our faults；
and are receptive to the world。
By being receptive to the world； our true nature is perfected；
and we return to our natural state。
When wood is carved； it becomes a mere tool。
When wise people are called upon to serve；
they become the ones in charge。
Thus the best principle is not to carve things up。
29
Messing with the World： We don抰 always get what we want
If we seek to seize the world and meddle with it：
I see this as unachievable。
This world is a sacred vessel。
We cannot meddle with it； nor can we control it。
Those who meddle with it； ruin it。 Those who control it； lose it。
This is why wise people do not meddle with things；
and so do not ruin or lose them。
It is the nature of things either to lead the way； or follow after。
Either to breathe in through the nose； or blow out through the mouth。
They are either strong； or weak。 They either make it； or fail。
This is why wise people do away with excess；
and do away with waste and extravagance。
30
Forcing the Issue： Force provokes retribution
Those who use the Tao to assist their ruler do not use military force；
for such actions are likely to provoke retribution。
Where the army has been； thorns and thistles will grow。
After a great battle there will follow years of famine。
The skillful are successful； yet do not presume to take things by force。
Successful； yet not boasting。 Successful； yet not punishing。
Successful； yet not arrogant。 Successful； yet not taking advantage。
Successful； yet not dominating。
Even what is strong； in time； becomes old。
It is said that this is not the Tao；
and all things not with the Tao； will meet an early end。
31
The Killing Fields： War is a last resort
Now； weapons are instruments of misfortune；
and despised by the whole world。
So those who are with the Tao will have nothing to do with them。
When a noble person is at home
he grants most importance to those at his left side。
But when he is at war
he grants most importance to those at his right side。
Weapons are instruments of misfortune。
They are not the instrument of the noble person。
Only when he has no choice will he use them。
It is best to be cool and calm。 Victory is not beautiful。
But those who think it is beautiful； enjoy killing people。
Those who enjoy killing people
will not find what they want anywhere in the world。
In good times the place of honor is on the left。
In bad times the place of honor is on the right。
It is the second…in…command of the army who sits on the left；
and the first…in…command of the army who sits on the right。
This is to say；
these are the same positions they would take when at a funeral。
When a great number of people have been killed；
it is an occasion for sorrow and mourning。
When the battle is won； conduct a funeral for those slain。
32
Simplicity： The Tao cannot be controlled； only followed
The Tao shall be forever nameless。
Even though it may appear to be trivial；
it is the pristine state。
The world cannot control it。
If princes and kings hold to this； the whole world would cooperate。
Then Heaven and Earth would unite to pour forth