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In ordinary life； a gentle person regards
the left side （omen of the future） as the place of honor：
In war； the right side （omen of the past） is the place of honor。
As soldiers are tools of destruction； They are not properly
a gentle person's tools；
On necessity will they will use them；
（having them and knowing their use）。
With calm control。
Even winning is
no cause for rejoicing。
To rejoice over a war won is
to rejoice over the slaughter of humans！
So a person who rejoices
over the slaughter of humans
cannot expect to do well
in the world of humans。
On happy occasions the left side （omen of the future） is preferred：
On sad occasions the right side （omen of the past） 。
In the army； the Lieutenant Commander stands on the left；
While the Commander…in…Chief stands on the right。
This means that war is treated as equal to a funeral service （rememberanceof the past）。
Because many people have been killed；
it is only correct that living should be sad at the loss of them。
Hence； even in a victory is a funeral。
32
Tao （the Laws of the Universe） is always nameless。
Small as it is in its First Simplicity；
It is less than nothing in the world。
If only a leader could stick to it； Everything will give respect
to them。
Heaven and Earth
will be harmonized
And send down sweet dew。
Peace and order
will reign among the people
Without any command from above。
When once
the Primal Simplicity broke up；
（at the Time of the Big Bang；）
Different names appeared。
Are there not enough names now？
Is this not the time to stop？
To know where to stop is to preserve ourselves from danger。
The Tao （the Laws of the Universe） is to the world
what a great river or an ocean is to the streams and brooks。
The Tao is manifest into a shape； but then the shape is lost。
Do not be rigid about shapes； but only about ability to change。
33
Who knows people is clever；
Who knows self has enlightenment。
Who conquers a people has force；
Who conquers self is truly strong。
Who knows when they have enough are rich；
And who follows carefully
the path of Tao （the Laws of the Universe）
is a person of steady purpose。
Who stays
where they have found their true home
lasts long；
And who dies but is not forgotten enjoys real longevity。
34
The Great Tao （the Laws of the Universe）
is universal like a flood。
How can it be turned
to the right
or to the left？
All creatures depend on it；
and it denies nothing to anyone。
It does its work；
But it makes no claims for itself。
It clothes and feeds all；
But it does not rule them
： Thus； it may be called
〃the Little。〃
All things return to it
as to their home；
But it does not rule them：
It may be called
〃the Great。〃
It is just because it
does not wish to be great
That its greatness
is fully realized。
The Complete Thinker
would not control the world；
They are in harmony
with the world。
35
Who holds to the Great Pattern
will attract all things to them。
They go to them and
receive no harm；
in them they find
peace；
security and
happiness。
Music and
snacks can only
make a passing guest pause。
The words of Tao （the Laws of the Universe）
have lasting effects；
They are mild and
flavorless；
We look and see nothing。
We listen and hear nothing。
But if we use it；
It is without end。
36
What is in the end
to be shrunken；
Begins by being first
stretched out。
What is in the end
to be weakened；
Begins by being first
made strong。
What is in the end
to be thrown down；
Begins by being first
set on high。
What is in the end
to be raped；
Begins by being first
given riches。
Herein is the hidden
wisdom of life：
The soft and
weak
overcomes the
hard and strong。
Just as the fish
must not leave
the deeps；
The words of agression
should not be used。
37
Tao （the Laws of the Universe） never makes
any showiness；
And yet it
does everything。
If a ruler can
stick to it；
All things will
grow of themselves。
When they have
grown and
tend to make an excitement；
It is time to keep them
in their place
by the aid of
the nameless First Simplicity。
Which alone can
control the desires
of people。
When the desires
of people
are limited；
there will be peace；
And the world
will settle down
of its own agreement。
38
High Virtue （Power） is completely virtuous （powerful） without chasing after
virtue （power）；
Therefore it has Virtue （Power）。
Low Virtue （Power） is always chasing after virtue （power）
and never frees itself from the chase；
Therefore it is without Virtue （Power）。
High Virtue （Power） is without problems and is without private goals to
serve：
Low Virtue （Power） not only makes problems but has private goals to serve。
High humanity makes problems but is without private goals to serve：
High morality not only makes problems but has private goals to serve。
High ceremony makes problems but is without response；
Then it raises its arms to show itself。
Losing Tao （ the Laws of the Universe ）； man uses Virtue （Power）。
Losing Virtue （Power）； humans use humanity。
Losing humanity； people use morality。
Losing morality； humans use ceremony。
Ceremony is the shell of faith and loyalty；
It is the beginning of all；
not understanding and mix…up。
Knowing the future； is only； the
attractive without substance part； of the Tao （ the Laws of the Universe）；
And the beginning of foolishness。
The full…grown human
Can enter the substance
rather than the shell；
Can enter totality
rather than the promise。
They prefer what is within
instead of appearance。
39
There are many things that have achieved Oneness。
The sky achieved Oneness and became clear；
The earth achieved Oneness and became calm；
The spirits achieved Oneness and became charged with powers；
The fountains achieved Oneness and became full；
All of the plants and animals achieved Oneness and became reproductive；
Leaders achieved Oneness and became the greatest rulers of the world。
All of them are what they are by virtue
（ the power ） of Oneness。
If the sky were not clear； it would be likely to fall to pieces；
If the earth were not calm； it would be likely to burst into bits；
If the spirits were not charged with powers； they would be likely to cease
from being；
If the fountains were not full； they would be likely to dry up；
If all the plants and animals were not reproductive； they would be likely
to cease to exist；
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