Daoism--3

13 

Favor is as alarming as disfavor;

Caring about disaster is like caring about oneself.

Why say,"Favor is as alarming as disfavor?"

Favor is no good;

Gainig it is alarming;

Losing it is alarming;

Hence ,"Favor is as alarming as disfavor."

Why say,"Caring about disaster is like caring about oneself?"

The reason why I have disaster

Is because I have a self.

If I don't have a self,

What disaster do I have?

 Therefor ,

If you care about youself for the sake of the world,

You may be charged with the world;

I f you love youself for the sake of the world,

You may be enstrusted with the world.

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16

Push empty to the limit;

Keep still to the extreme;

All things thrive ;

I observe their return.

For when things grow profuse,

They return to their respective roots.

Return to the roots is called tranquility;

Tranquility is called regaining its nature;

Rgaining one's nature is called constancy;

Knowing the constant is called wisdom.

Not knowing the constant

Leads to disastrous acts of violence.

Know the constant leads to acceptance;

Acceptance means impartiality;

Impartiality means inclusiveness;

Inclusiveness means the way of Heaven;

The way of heaven means Dao;

Dao means eternity;

To the end of you life you will have no peril.

17

The best ruler is one whose presence is unknown;

The second best is one who is beloved and praised;

The next best is one who is feared;

The next is one who is despised.

Where there is insufficient good faith,

There is loss of faith.

Relax and spare your words.

When the goal is achieved and the job is done,

Everyone says,

"We did it."