The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
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He does not pride himself,<br />
And is therefore the chief among men.<br />
Is it not indeed true, as the ancients say,<br />
"To yield is to be preserved whole?"<br />
Thus he is preserved and the world does him homage.<br />
23. Identification with <strong>Tao</strong><br />
Nature says few words:<br />
Hence it is that a squall lasts not a whole morning.<br />
A rainstorm continues not a whole day.<br />
Where do they come from?<br />
From Nature.<br />
Even Nature does not last long (in its utterances),<br />
How much less should human beings?<br />
<strong>The</strong>refore it is that:<br />
He who follows the <strong>Tao</strong> is identified with the <strong>Tao</strong>.<br />
He who follows Character (<strong>Te</strong>h) is identified with Character.<br />
He who abandons (<strong>Tao</strong>) is identified with abandonment (of <strong>Tao</strong>).<br />
He who is identified with <strong>Tao</strong> -<br />
<strong>Tao</strong> is also glad to welcome him.<br />
He who is identified with character -<br />
Character is also glad to welcome him.<br />
He who is identified with abandonment -<br />
Abandonment is also glad t welcome him.<br />
He who has not enough faith<br />
Will not be able to command faith from others.<br />
24. <strong>The</strong> Dregs and Tumors of Virtue<br />
He who stands on tiptoe does not stand (firm);<br />
He who strains his strides does not walk (well);<br />
He who reveals himself is not luminous;<br />
He who justifies himself is not far-famed;<br />
He who boasts of himself is not given credit;<br />
He who prides himself is not chief among men.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se in the eyes of <strong>Tao</strong><br />
Are called "the dregs and tumors of Virtue,"<br />
Which are things of disgust.<br />
<strong>The</strong>refore the man of <strong>Tao</strong> spurns them.<br />
25. <strong>The</strong> Four Eternal Models