- Not
exalting the worthy keeps the people from envy.
- Not
valuing rare things keeps them from theft.
- Not
showing what is desirable keeps their hearts from
confusion.
- Therefore
the Sage rules by emptying their hearts, filling
their stomachs, weakening their ambitions &
strengthening their bones.
- He
always keeps them from knowing what is evil &
desiring what is good; thus he gives the crafty
ones no chance to act. He governs by non-action;
consequently there is nothing un-governed.
2. Holding
& keeping a thing very full - it is better to leave
it alone;
- Handling
& sharpening a blade - it cannot be long
sustained;
- When
gold & jade fill the hall,no one can protect
them;
- Wealth
& honour with pride bring with them
destruction;
- To
ahave accomplish merit & acquired fame,then
to retire-
- This
is the Tao of heaven.
3. The
great way is very plain & easy,
- But
the people prefer by-paths.
- While
the royal palaces are well kept,
- The
field are left weedy
- &
the granaries empty.
- To
wear embroided clothes,
- To
carry sharp swords,
- To be
satiated in drink & food,
- To
possessed of redundant riches-
- This
is called encoucouragement to robbery.
- Is it
not deviating from Tao?
Comparison
- When
all in the world understand beauty to be
beautiful, then ugly exists.
- When
all understand goodness to be good, then evil
exists.
- Thus
existence suggests non-existence;
- Short
is derived from long by comparison;
- Low
is distinguished from high by position;
- Resonance
harmonizes sound;
- After
follows before.
- Therefore,
the Sage carries on his business without action,
& gives his teaching without words.
Favour
& Disgrace
- 'Favour
& disgrace are like fear;
- Fortune
& disaster are like our body.'
- What
does it mean by 'favour & disgrace are like
fear'?
- Favour
is in a higher place, & disgrace in a lower
place.
- When
you win them you are likely being in fear,&
when you lose them you are also like being in
fear.
- So
favour & disgrace are like fear.
- What
does it mean by 'Fortune & disaster are like
our body'?
- We
have fortune & disaster bcos we have a body.
- When
we have no body, how can fortune or disaster
befall us?
- Therefore
he who regards the world as he does the fortune
of his own body can govern the world.
- He
who loves the world as he does his own body can
be entrusted with the world.
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