... I don't know if my computer hiccuped or I missed something;-) I didn't see No. 46 at all. -- "I do this really moronic thing that the government doesn't...
48. Conquering the World by Inaction The student of knowledge (aims at) learning day by day; The student of Tao (aims at) losing day by day. By continual...
49. The People's Hearts The Sage has no decided opinions and feelings, But regards the people's opinions and feelings as his own. The good ones I declare...
50. The Preserving of Life Out of life, death enters. The companions (organs) of life are thirteen; The companions (organs) of death are (also) thirteen. What...
51. The Mystic Virtue Tao gives them birth, Teh (character) fosters them. The material world gives them form. The circumstances of the moment complete them. ...
52. Stealing the Absolute There was a beginning of the universe Which may be regarded as the Mother of the Universe. From the Mother, we may know her sons. ...
53. Brigandage If I were possessed of Austere Knowledge, Walking on the Main Path (Tao), I would avoid the by-paths. The Main path is easy to walk on, Yet...
54. The Individual and the State Who is firmly established is not easily shaken. Who has a firm grasp does not easily let go. From generation to generation...
55. The Character of the Child Who is rich in character Is like a child. No poisonous insects sting him, No wild beasts attack him, And no birds of prey...
56. Beyond Honor and Disgrace He who knows does not speak; He who speaks does not know. Fill up its apertures, Close its doors, Dull its edges, Untie its...
Book VI. The Theory of Government 57. The Art of Government Rule a kingdom by the Normal. Fight a battle by (abnormal) tactics of surprise. Win the world by...
58. Lazy Government When the government is lazy and dull, Its people are unspoiled; When the government is efficient and smart, Its people are discontented. ...
59. Be Sparing In managing human affairs, there is no better rule than to be sparing. To be sparing is to forestall; To forestall is to be prepared and...
This was my first emailing from this group, and I am delighted to see how it is done! I appreciate the link to the particular translation used and am grateful...
60. Ruling a Big Country Rule a big country as you would fry small fish. Who rules the world in accord with Tao Shall find that the spirits lose their power. ...
61. Big and Small Countries A big country (should be like) the delta low-regions, Being the concourse of the world, (And) the Female of the world. The Female...
62. The Good Man's Treasure Tao is the mysterious secret of the universe, The good man's treasure, And the bad man's refuge. Beautiful saying can be sold at...
63. Difficult and Easy Accomplish do-nothing. Attend to no-affairs. Taste the flavorless. Whether it is big or small, many or few, Requite hatred with virtue....
64. Beginning and End That which lies still is easy to hold; That which is not yet manifest is easy to forestall; That which is brittle (like ice) easily...
65. The Grand Harmony The ancients who knew how to follow the Tao Aimed not to enlighten the people., But to keep them ignorant. The reason it is difficult...
66. The Lords of the Ravines How did the great rivers and seas become the Lords of the ravines? By being good at keeping low. That was how they became Lords...
67. The Three Treasures All the world says: my teaching (Tao) greatly resembles folly. Because it is great; therefore it resembles folly. If it did not...
68. The Virtue of Not-Contending The brave soldier is not violent; The good fighter does not lose his temper; The great conqueror does not fight (on small...
69. Camouflage There is the maxim of military strategists; I dare not be the first to invade, but rather be the invaded. Dare not press forward an inch, but...
70. They Know Me Not My teachings are very easy to understand and very easy to practice, But no one can understand them and no one can practice them. In my...
72. On Punishment (1) When people have no fear of force, Then (as is the common practice) great force descends upon them. Despise not their dwellings, Dislike...
