He who lightly promises is sure to keep but little
Categories: PART II.Books: THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
He who lightly promises is sure to keep but little faith; he who is
continually thinking things easy is sure to find them difficult
Therefore the sage sees difficulty even in what seems easy, and so
never has any difficulties
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He who has reached the consummation, who does not tremble,
He who has reached the consummation, who does not tremble, who is without thirst and without sin, he has broken all the thorns of life: this will be his last body ... He who has tasted the sweetness of solitude and tranquillity,
He who has tasted the sweetness of solitude and tranquillity, is free from fear and free from sin, while he tastes the sweetness of drinking in the law ... He who having got rid of the forest (of lust)
He who having got rid of the forest (of lust) (ie after having reached Nirvana) gives himself over to forest-life (ie to lust), and who, when removed from the forest (ie from lust), runs to the forest (ie to lust), look at that man! though free, he run... He who holds back rising anger like a rolling chariot,
He who holds back rising anger like a rolling chariot, him I call a real driver; other people are but holding the reins ... He who in (Tao's) wars has skill
He who in (Tao's) wars has skill Assumes no martial port; He who fights with most good will To rage makes no resort He who vanquishes yet still Keeps from his foes apart; He whose hests men most fulfil Yet humbly... He who inflicts pain on innocent and harmless persons, will
He who inflicts pain on innocent and harmless persons, will soon come to one of these ten states: ... He who is above good and evil, who is chaste,
He who is above good and evil, who is chaste, who with knowledge passes through the world, he indeed is called a Bhikshu ... He who is thoughtful, blameless, settled, dutiful, without passions, and who
He who is thoughtful, blameless, settled, dutiful, without passions, and who has attained the highest end, him I call indeed a Brahmana ... He who is without thirst and without affection, who understands the
He who is without thirst and without affection, who understands the words and their interpretation, who knows the order of letters (those which are before and which are after), he has received his last body, he is called the great sage, the great man ... He who knows (the Tao) does not (care to) speak
He who knows (the Tao) does not (care to) speak (about it); he who is (ever ready to) speak about it does not know it ... He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows
He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty He who is satisfied with his lot is rich; he who goes on acting with energy has a (firm) will ... He who knows that this body is like froth, and
He who knows that this body is like froth, and has learnt that it is as unsubstantial as a mirage, will break the flower-pointed arrow of Mara, and never see the king of death ... He who knows these two things finds in them also
He who knows these two things finds in them also his model and rule Ability to know this model and rule constitutes what we call the mysterious excellence (of a governor) Deep and far-reaching is such mysterious excellence, showing indeed its possess... He who lightly promises is sure to keep but little
He who lightly promises is sure to keep but little faith; he who is continually thinking things easy is sure to find them difficult Therefore the sage sees difficulty even in what seems easy, and so never has any difficulties ... He who lives looking for pleasures only, his senses uncontrolled, immoderate
He who lives looking for pleasures only, his senses uncontrolled, immoderate in his food, idle, and weak, Mara (the tempter) will certainly overthrow him, as the wind throws down a weak tree ... He who lives without looking for pleasures, his senses well controlled,
He who lives without looking for pleasures, his senses well controlled, moderate in his food, faithful and strong, him Mara will certainly not overthrow, any more than the wind throws down a rocky mountain ... He who never identifies himself with name and form, and
He who never identifies himself with name and form, and does not grieve over what is no more, he indeed is called a Bhikshu ... He who overcomes this fierce thirst, difficult to be conquered
He who overcomes this fierce thirst, difficult to be conquered in this world, sufferings fall off from him, like water-drops from a lotus leaf ... He who possesses the mother of the state may continue
He who possesses the mother of the state may continue long His case is like that (of the plant) of which we say that its roots are deep and its flower stalks firm:--this is the way to secure that its enduring life shall long be seen ... He who possesses virtue and intelligence, who is just, speaks
He who possesses virtue and intelligence, who is just, speaks the truth, and does what is his own business, him the world will hold dear ... He who says what is not, goes to hell; he
He who says what is not, goes to hell; he also who, having done a thing, says I have not done it After death both are equal, they are men with evil deeds in the next world ... He who seeking his own happiness does not punish or
He who seeking his own happiness does not punish or kill beings who also long for happiness, will find happiness after death ... He who seeking his own happiness punishes or kills beings
He who seeking his own happiness punishes or kills beings who also long for happiness, will not find happiness after death ... He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm;
He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm; he who stretches his legs does not walk (easily) (So), he who displays himself does not shine; he who asserts his own views is not distinguished; he who vaunts himself does not find his merit acknowled... He who takes refuge with Buddha, the Law, and the
He who takes refuge with Buddha, the Law, and the Church; he who, with clear understanding, sees the four holy truths:-- ... He who walks in the company of fools suffers a
He who walks in the company of fools suffers a long way; company with fools, as with an enemy, is always painful; company with the wise is pleasure, like meeting with kinsfolk ...