Genesis, Mark, and More
the wise release opinions
to see the need of others
I welcome those who are good
I welcome those who are not good
because integrity is good
I trust those who are trustworthy
I trust those who are not trustworthy
because integrity is trusting
wisdom shy and humble
resembles young children
confusing those who listen
looked to by those confused
pursue learning and acquire some daily
pursue Tao daily and release something
less is done then less is done
returning to (non)action
doing nothing well leaves nothing undone
help govern the world
let things follow their course
interference misshapes the formless
without traveling you may know the ways of earth
without a window you may see the way of heavens
the further you go the less you will know
the wise know without going
see without peering
work without working
when Tao is present
horses plow fields
when Tao is absent
horses are bred for war
there is no greater misunderstanding than craving
no greater curse than discontent
no greater misfortune than desire
those who know enough is enough have enough
great accomplishment carries imperfection
yet usefulness is accomplished
great fullness does not replace emptiness
yet strength has its benefit
great intention can twist
great intelligence can be lost
great eloquence can misspeak
movement cares for cold
stillness responds to heat
quiet tranquility stillness restore discord
rank these — fame or self
which is most precious — self or wealth
more pain is generated by — gain or loss
the greater the attachment to things the greater the suffering
the more is saved the greater the loss
contentment does not disappoint
to know when to stop protects against trouble
the least of ten thousand things
exceeds the most powerful
that of little substance can enter anywhere
the same is true of the act of stillness
teach without words and work without doing
are seldom chosen choices
Tao’s emptiness gave one
one became two
two saw three
three might as well be ten thousand
within ten thousand yin is carried yang embraced
harmony follows intersections
we are anxious about being orphaned widowed worthless
yet the wise claim such status
understanding gain through loss
and what is lost in gain
a universal teaching
violent being leads to violent death
learn this
a wise student hears of Tao and engages deeply
an average student hears and periodically thinks of it
a foolish student hears and laughs aloud
were there no laughter Tao would not be Tao
now we can see
a bright path as dim
onward appearing retreat
a way of ease feeling difficult
virtue is but vanity
purity as hypocrisy
wealth never enough
strength temporary then frail
integrity impossible
later we will see
an ideal square is cornerless
better talents bloom late
highest notes are hard to hear
our best form has no shape
Tao has no name and is hidden
Tao nourishes and fulfills
returning is characteristic of Tao
yielding is a way of the way
precipitations develop and are named
being arises where emptiness prepared a way
= = = = = = =
Forty acknowledgements have been visited: forty-one to go.
Reflect on what Tao Te word(s) and phrase(s) seem to be cropping up during your day or slipping out of your mouth. You might throw them a party to thank them for assisting your return from a fear or stuckness in a form/condition.
If a word or phrase doesn’t come to mind, there is no Tao schedule to meet. Perhaps something will come over the next month-and-a-third.
Perhaps your own paraphrase will shine forth.
Perhaps a different model is better for you.