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e lowest is the person who causes others to despise him。 The master trusts in the Tao； therefore doesn抰 try to improve others。 Limited in his words； he lets his actions speak loudly。 Others begin following his actions and success comes naturally。
18
When people are separated from the Tao； they are taught to be kind and ethical。 Given intellectual knowledge they lose their intelligence。 They are trained to be obedient and polite to make them consistent。 Only by suppressing their individuality will they serve abstract concepts； such as a country。
19
Ideas of holiness and wisdom will hamper your progress。 Ideas of morality and justice cannot replace what is written on people抯 hearts。 The idea of profiting off others causes thieves to appear。 Since these three ideas are man made； they are not eternal。 Therefore they should be avoided。 Patient； compassionate； and desireless； you are in step with the Tao。
20
Without thinking； you cannot worry。 There is nothing good or bad。 You can neither succeed nor fail。 The master may still think of good or bad； but he is aware that it is a thought and simply watches it pass。 An ordinary man thinks of good or bad and believes it。 This is the difference between enlightenment and delusion。 Ordinary people try different hobbies in the pursuit of happiness。 The master drifts around doing nothing in particular； indifferent like a baby before it can smile。 Ordinary people have an identity。 The master has none。 Therefore he seems like an idiot。 Ordinary people try to shine outwardly through their achievements。 The master抯 achievements are not known by others。 The intentions of ordinary people are evident。 The master has no intentions。 Ordinary people know what to do。 The master doesn抰。 He drifts along like a cloud in the sky。 He is different from ordinary people。 He is nourished by the Tao。
21
The master has separated from mind； and the great virtuous Tao is。 The mind is like a foot。 If it follows that which is greater it is useful。 If it tries to lead of its own volition it will lead to disaster。 The Tao is beyond conception； so drop all ideas。 If you cling to anything it cannot provide nourishment。 Neither inside nor outside； the Tao is non…dual。 It can only be known by not knowing。
22
Separate yourself and become whole。 Yield and become firm。 Be empty so you can be filled。 Die so you can be reborn。 Lose everything you have； and have it all。 The master through the Tao sets and example for all。 He doesn抰 show off so his depth is evident。 Free from ambition； he can be trusted。 Having lost his identity； people can identify with him。 Never disagreeing； no one can disagree with him。 When the ancient masters said： 揝eparate yourself and become whole？ they weren抰 doing so lightly。 Trust the masters and become whole。
23
To be limited in speech is natural。 Clouds may come； but when they pass the sun shines through。 Your words may come； but when they pass there is silence。 This is the natural way of the Tao。 When things come； let them。 When things pass； let them。 Following the natural flow you will embody the Tao。 Virtue can be experienced by the virtuous。 Those who lose the natural way become lost。 If you don抰 trust in your natural responses； you make yourself untrustworthy。
24
Strive for more； and you lose what you have。 Hurry ahead and you will miss something； and then have to go back。 Boast of achievements； and they will be lost。 Define who you are； and you will lose your true self。 Try to control others； and you will be controlled by them。 These traits represent wasted energy spent on the ego。 The master has long done away with them。
25
Before the universe was manifest a perfect emptiness abided。 It is eternally still and silent； but creates infinite things。 Not having a name； I call it the Tao。 Being indescribable； I call it great。 Infinite things constantly flow through it； never ceasing。 The Tao is great； The universe is great； The earth is great； Man is great。 Man must follow the natural laws of the earth； The earth must follow the natural laws of the universe； The universe must follow the natural laws of the Tao； The Tao simply is。
26
Something can only be heavy relative to something lighter。 Movement can only occur relative to something unmoved。 The master may travel all day； but remains motionless。 There may be amazing sights； but he never looks。 A father shouldn抰 act the fool； and ignore the needs of his family。 If you take your responsibilities lightly； you lose the basis of your being。 If you fall prey to restlessness you cannot be relaxed。
27
The master travels the natural path； which has no destination； and on which no tracks can be left。 A good trader follows the market wherever it goes。 A good teacher lets the students guide him。 A master is present for all； both saints and sinners。 All situations are used and nothing is dismissed。 This is called spreading the light。 A man； who considers himself good； must be intimate with that which is bad。 A man； who considers himself bad； must know the good。 Therefore the master sees no distinction between the two。 For this reason the master and disciple are equal。
28
Know how to be assertive but remain passive。 Be receptive towards all situations and you will be in accordance with them； like a little child。 Understanding the conditionality of opposites； you can avoid all opposition。 Never in error； you are virtuous。 People are bound to follow such and example。 Know the personal； but keep to the impersonal： Accept the world as it is。 If you accept the world as it is you will naturally be humble。 How can the impersonal be arrogant？ In this way the master is like a block of wood； which can be carved into any shape。
29
You cannot change the world； only yourself。 The world is in constant natural change； how could you add to it？ If you try to change it you will ruin yourself。 If you treat it like an object； you objectify yourself。 Simply follow the natural flow of the changes： Sometimes lead； Sometimes follow； Sometimes move； Sometimes stop； Sometimes be active； Sometimes be at rest； Sometimes be safe； Sometimes be in danger。 The master knows the world is beyond his control； so lets things come and go without interfering。 He is like a blade of grass： When the wind blows it bends with it。 This way he is always centered and keeps his energy。
30
A father who trusts in the Tao doesn抰 force his children to do anything； and doesn抰 discipline them。 He knows this would be against the natural way and would damage the children as well as himself。 The master knows if force is used on a child； weeds will grow in the child抯 mind。 Achievements may be apparent； but he will not boast or take pride in them。 He knows they are attributed to the Tao； and no claimant exists。 From here he simply moves on。 This is the natural way。
31
Weapons generate fear； real humans loath them。 Peace is the highest value。 If it has been destroyed； utmost restraint is needed to restore it。 Your enemies are people as well； so any battle is entered into gravely。 Do not wish them personal harm。 Do not r