I just do.
55.
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A person filled with the power of Tao
is like a baby boy:
bees can't sting him,
wild beasts can't attack him.
A baby has soft bones
and weak muscles,
but a firm grip.
He hasn't had sex,
but he can get an erection.
That's because he's got lots of energy.
He can cry all day
and never lose his voice.
That's because he's at one with his world.
If you're at one with the world,
you know constancy.
And if you know constancy,
you've been enlightened.
It's not healthy
to try to prolong your life.
It's unnatural to impose the mind's will
upon the body.
People waste time and energy
trying to be strong or beautiful,
and their strength and beauty fade.
They've lost touch with Tao,
and when you lose touch with Tao,
you might as well be dead.
56.
Those who know, don't talk.
Those who talk, don't know.
Shut your mouth.
Be still. Relax.
Let go of your worries.
Stay out of the spotlight.
Be at one with the world
and get right with Tao.
If you get right with Tao,
you won't be worried
about praise or scorn,
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缁楊兛绔撮妴鍥╃彿 TheTaoTeChing
about winning or losing,
about honor or disgrace.
That's the way to be.
57.
You can run a country
by sticking to principles,
and you can win a war
with strategy and tactics.
But you can gain the entire world
by doing nothing at all.
How do I know this?
I've seen it happen:
The more restrictions
a nation imposes,
the poorer its people become.
When a nation hoards weapons,
troubles arise from within
and from without.
When its leaders try
to be cunning and clever,
the situation spins
further out of control.
When they try to fix things
by passing more laws,
they only increase the number of outlaws.
A wise leader says to himself:
"I do nothing,
and people transform themselves.
I keep silent,
and they do the right thing
on their own.
I stay out of the way,
and they prosper.
I want for nothing,
and they lead simple lives."
58.
When a nation is ruled
with a light touch,
people lead simple lives.
When a government
151
is harsh and demanding,
people will spend their time
trying to outsmart it.
Happiness is rooted in misery,
and misery lurks beneath all joy.
Who knows what could happen tomorrow?
Everything is relative;
what's considered proper today
may become improper.
Correct appearances
may hide dishonesty and sinfulness.
No wonder so many people get confused.
The Masters have sharp minds,
not sharp tongues.
They are austere,
but never judgmental.
They are straightforward,
but not provocative.
They are brilliant,
but not flashy.
59.
Leadership is based on moderation.
Practice moderation,
and you'll get in touch
with the power of Tao.
If you get right with Tao,
nothing is impossible.
If you get right with Tao,
there's no limit to what you can do.
If you get right with Tao,
you can be a true leader.
Remember this advice
if you want to be a leader:
Plant deep roots in firm soil.
Get right with Tao,
and you'll always see things clearly.
60.
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缁楊兛绔撮妴鍥╃彿 TheTaoTeChing
Being a leader
is like cooking a small fish;
get right with Tao,
and it's quick and easy.
When you're in touch with Tao,
you don't need to worry
about misfortune.
You can't make it go away, of course,
but you can keep it
from harming other people.
Also, as a wise leader,
you cause no harm to others,
so people won't have to worry
about getting hurt,
and they'll take the opportunity
to do the right thing.
61.
Power flows down
to every level of existence
like a river to the ocean.
Victory comes
from lying perfectly still
and waiting for power
to come your way.
If you yield to someone
less powerful than yourself,
you will be in a position
to influence them.
If you submit to someone
more powerful than yourself,
you create an opportunity
to get your own way.
So if you want to get ahead,
lay low and bide your time.
That way, everybody's happy.
62.
153
Every living thing
gets its strength from Tao.
Good people respect the value of Tao.
The wicked and foolish don't,
but Tao provides for them anyway.
Some people gain power and prestige through fancy words,
others through great deeds.
But Tao is available to everyone,
not just the powerful.
So don't look down on anybody.
When people become powerful,
and everybody lines up
to kiss their ass,
sit still and stay right with Tao.
Why have the Masters
always respected Tao?