There was something undefined and complete, coming into existence before Heaven
Books: THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICSThere was something undefined and complete, coming into
existence before Heaven and Earth How still it was and formless,
standing alone, and undergoing no change, reaching everywhere and in
no danger (of being exhausted)! It may be regarded as the Mother of
all things
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There is an originating and all-comprehending (principle) in my
words, and
There is an originating and all-comprehending (principle) in my words, and an authoritative law for the things (which I enforce) It is because they do not know these, that men do not know me ... There is bad reputation, and the evil way (to hell),
There is bad reputation, and the evil way (to hell), there is the short pleasure of the frightened in the arms of the frightened, and the king imposes heavy punishment; therefore let no man think of his neighbour's wife ... There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war
There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war To do that is near losing (the gentleness) which is so precious Thus it is that when opposing weapons are (actually) crossed, he who deplores (the situation) conquers ... There is no fire like passion, there is no shark
There is no fire like passion, there is no shark like hatred, there is no snare like folly, there is no torrent like greed ... There is no fire like passion; there is no losing
There is no fire like passion; there is no losing throw like hatred; there is no pain like this body; there is no happiness higher than rest ... There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition; no
There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition; no calamity greater than to be discontented with one's lot; no fault greater than the wish to be getting Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is an enduring and unchanging sufficiency ... There is no path through the air, a man is
There is no path through the air, a man is not a Samana by outward acts The world delights in vanity, the Tathagatas (the Buddhas) are free from vanity ... There is no path through the air, a man is
There is no path through the air, a man is not a Samana by outward acts No creatures are eternal; but the awakened (Buddha) are never shaken The Just ... There is no satisfying lusts, even by a shower of
There is no satisfying lusts, even by a shower of gold pieces; he who knows that lusts have a short taste and cause pain, he is wise; ... There is no suffering for him who has finished his
There is no suffering for him who has finished his journey, and abandoned grief, who has freed himself on all sides, and thrown off all fetters ... There is nothing in the world more soft and weak
There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing that can take precedence of it;--for there is nothing (so effectual) for which it can be changed ... There never was, there never will be, nor is there
There never was, there never will be, nor is there now, a man who is always blamed, or a man who is always praised ... There should be a neighbouring state within sight, and the
There should be a neighbouring state within sight, and the voices of the fowls and dogs should be heard all the way from it to us, but I would make the people to old age, even to death, not have any intercourse with it ... There was something undefined and complete, coming into existence before Heaven
There was something undefined and complete, coming into existence before Heaven and Earth How still it was and formless, standing alone, and undergoing no change, reaching everywhere and in no danger (of being exhausted)! It may be regarded as the M... Therefore (to guard against this), the sage keeps the left-hand portion
Therefore (to guard against this), the sage keeps the left-hand portion of the record of the engagement, and does not insist on the (speedy) fulfilment of it by the other party (So), he who has the attributes (of the Tao) regards (only) the conditions... Therefore a sage has said, 'He who accepts his
Therefore a sage has said, 'He who accepts his state's reproach, Is hailed therefore its altars' lord; To him who bears men's direful woes They all the name of King accord' ... Therefore a sage has said, 'I will do nothing (of
Therefore a sage has said, 'I will do nothing (of purpose), and the people will be transformed of themselves; I will be fond of keeping still, and the people will of themselves become correct I will take no trouble about it, and the people will of the... Therefore a wise prince, marching the whole day, does not
Therefore a wise prince, marching the whole day, does not go far from his baggage waggons Although he may have brilliant prospects to look at, he quietly remains (in his proper place), indifferent to them How should the lord of a myriad chariots carr... Therefore all in the world delight to exalt him and
Therefore all in the world delight to exalt him and do not weary of him Because he does not strive, no one finds it possible to strive with him ... Therefore he who would administer the kingdom, honouring it as
Therefore he who would administer the kingdom, honouring it as he honours his own person, may be employed to govern it, and he who would administer it with the love which he bears to his own person may be entrusted with it ... Therefore the (ruling) sage acts without claiming the results as his;
Therefore the (ruling) sage acts without claiming the results as his; he achieves his merit and does not rest (arrogantly) in it:--he does not wish to display his superiority ... Therefore the man of skill is a master (to be
Therefore the man of skill is a master (to be looked up to) by him who has not the skill; and he who has not the skill is the helper of (the reputation of) him who has the skill If the one did not honour his master, and the other did not rejoice in hi... Therefore the place of what is firm and strong is
Therefore the place of what is firm and strong is below, and that of what is soft and weak is above ... Therefore the sage desires what (other men) do not desire,
Therefore the sage desires what (other men) do not desire, and does not prize things difficult to get; he learns what (other men) do not learn, and turns back to what the multitude of men have passed by Thus he helps the natural development of all thin... Therefore the sage holds in his embrace the one thing
Therefore the sage holds in his embrace the one thing (of humility), and manifests it to all the world He is free from self- display, and therefore he shines; from self-assertion, and therefore he is distinguished; from self-boasting, and therefore hi... Therefore the sage is (like) a square which cuts no
Therefore the sage is (like) a square which cuts no one (with its angles); (like) a corner which injures no one (with its sharpness) He is straightforward, but allows himself no license; he is bright, but does not dazzle ...