The Three Principle Texts of Daoism translated by ... - Bad Request

espects himself, but seeks not honour for himself.To know, but to be as though not knowing, is the heightof wisdom. Not to know, and yet to affect knowledge, isa vice. If we regard this vice as such, we shall escape it.The Sage has not this vice. It is because he regards it as avice that he escapes it.Use the light that is in you to revert to your naturalclearness of sight. Then the loss of the body isunattended by calamity. This is called doubly enduring.In the management of affairs, people constantly breakdown just when they are nearing a successful issue. Ifthey took as much care at the end as at the beginning,they would not fail in their enterprises.He who lightly promises is sure to keep but little faith.He whose boldness leads him to venture, will be slain; hewho is brave enough not to venture, will live. Of thesetwo, one has the benefit, the other has the hurt. But whois it that knows the real cause of Heaven's hatred? This iswhy the Sage hesitates and finds it difficult to act.The violent and stiff-necked die not by a natural death.True words are not fine; fine words are not true.The good are not contentious; the contentious are notgood.