He who acts (with an ulterior purpose) does harm; he
Categories:
PART II.
Books:
THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
He who acts (with an ulterior purpose) does harm; he who takes hold
of a thing (in the same way) loses his hold The sage does not act
(so), and therefore does no harm; he does not lay hold (so), and
therefore does not lose his bold (But) people in their conduct of
affairs are constantly ruining them when they are on the eve of
success If they were careful at the end, as (they should be) at the
beginning, they would not so ruin them