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Everything in existence depends on it； and it doesn't deny them。 It accomplishes its work without naming or making claims for itself。 Everything in existence is clothed and nourished by it； but it doesn't lord over anything。
Aimless； ambitionless； it might be called 〃small。〃
Everything in existence returns to it； and still it doesn't lord over anything。 Thus it might also be called 〃great。〃
Because it has no desire to be great； it can achieve greatness。
35
Stay centered in the Tao and the world comes to you： Comes； and isn't harmed； Comes； and finds contentment。
Most travelers are drawn to music and good food。
When Tao is talked about； the words can seem bland and flavourless。 Looked at； it may not catch the eye。 Listened to； it might not seduce the ear。 Used； it can never be exhausted。
36
What is ultimately to be reduced must first be expanded 。 What is ultimately to be weakened must first be made strong。 What is ultimately to be discarded must first be embraced。 What is ultimately to be taken away must first be given。
This is called subtle insight。
The soft overcomes the hard。 The weak overcomes the strong。 The Tao should never be abandoned。 Weapons should never be displayed。
37
Eternal Tao doesn't do anything； yet it leaves nothing undone。
If you abide by it； everything in existence will transform itself。 When； in the process of self…transformation； desires are aroused； calm them with nameless simplicity。
When desires are dissolved in the primal presence； peace and harmony naturally occur； and the world orders itself。
38
A truly good person doesn't dwell on her goodness。 Thus she can be good。 A person of false goodness never forgets her goodness。 Thus her goodness is always false。
A truly good person does nothing； yet nothing remains undone。 A person of false goodness is forever doing； yet everything remains forever undone。
Those who are interested in service act without motive。 Those who are interested in righteousness act with motives of all sorts。 Those who are interested in propriety act； and receiving no response； they roll up their sleeves and use force。
When Tao is lost； goodness appears。 When goodness is lost； philanthropy appears。 When philanthropy is lost； justice appears。 When justice is lost； only etiquette is left。
Etiquette is the faintest husk of real loyalty and faith； and it is the beginning of confusion。 Knowledge of the future is only a blossom of Tao； to become preoccupied with it is folly。
Thus the sage sets her sights on the substance and not the surface； on the fruit and not the flower。 Leaving the one； she gains the other。
39
From ancient times these have attained oneness with Tao： Heaven attained oneness and became clear。 Earth attained oneness and became peaceful。 Spirits attained oneness and became strong。
Valleys attained oneness and became full。 Beings attained oneness and became fertile。 All are what they are by virtue of oneness。
Heaven without clarity would fall。 Earth without peace would explode。 Spirits without strength would dissipate。
Valleys without fullness would dry up。 Beings without fertility would die off。 Sages without wholeness would stumble and fall。
Humility is the root of greatness。
Those in high positions do well to think of themselves as powerless； small and unworthy。 Isn't this taking humility for the root？
Attain honour without being honoured。
Don't shine like jade； or chime like bells。
40
Returning to the root is the movement of Tao。 Quietness is how it functions。
The ten thousand things are born of being。 Being is born of nothing。
41
When a wise person hears Tao； he practices it diligently。 When an average person hears Tao； he practices it sometimes； and just as often ignores it。
When an inferior person hears Tao； he roars with laughter。 If he didn't laugh； it wouldn't be Tao。
Thus the age old sayings： The way to illumination appears dark。 The way that advances appears to retreat。 The way that is easy appears to be hard。 The highest virtue appears empty。 The purest goodness appears soiled。 The most profound creativity appears fallow。
The strongest power appears weak。 The most genuine appears unreal。 The greatest space has no corners。 The greatest talent matures slowly。 The greatest voice can't be heard。 The greatest image can't be seen。
Tao is hidden and has no name。 Tao alone nourishes and fulfills all things。
42
Nonbeing gives birth to the oneness。 The oneness gives birth to yin and yang。 Yin and Yang give birth to heaven； earth； and beings。 Heaven； earth； and beings give birth to everything in existence。
Therefore everything in existence carries within it both yin and yang； and attains its harmony by blending together these two vital breaths。
Ordinary people hate nothing more than to be powerless； small； and unworthy。 Yet this is how superior people describe themselves。
Gain is loss。 Loss is gain。
I repeat what others have said： The strong and violent don't die natural deaths。 This is the very essence of my teaching。
43
The soft overcomes the hard in the world as a gentle rider controls a galloping horse。 That without substance can penetrate where there is no space。 By these I know the benefit of nonaction。
Teaching without words； working without actions…nothing in the world can compare with them。
44
Which is more precious； fame or health？ Which is more valuable； health or wealth？ Which is more harmful； winning or losing？
The more excessive your love； the greater your suffering。 The longer you hoard； the heavier your losses。
Knowing what is enough is freedom。 Knowing when to stop is safety。 Practice these； and you'll endure。
45
The greatest perfection seems imperfect； yet its usefulness is endless。 The greatest fullness seems empty； yet its usefulness is inexhaustible。 Great straightness seems flexible。
Great skill looks clumsy。 Great eloquence sounds awkward。
Movement triumphs over cold。 Stillness triumphs over heat。 Clarity and tranquility set the whole world in order。
46
When the world practices Tao； horses fertilize the fields。 When the world ignores Tao； horses are bred for war。
There is no greater calamity than desire； no greater curse than greed。
Know that enough is enough； and you'll always have enough。
47
Without going out the door； you can know the world。 Without looking out the window； you can see heaven。 The farther you travel； the less you know。
Thus the wise person knows without traveling； understands without seeing； accomplishes without acting。
48
In the pursuit of learning； every day something is added。 In the pursuit of Tao； every day something is dropped。
Less and less is done； until one arrives at nonaction。 When nothing is done； nothing is left undone。 The world is won by letting things take their own course。
If you still have ambitions； its out of your reach。
49
The sage has no set mind。 She adopts the concerns of others as her own。
She is g