Month: October 2022

my presence is easy to receive and engage
yet none can name me or follow this way

my words have deep meaning
my giving is disciplined
a lack of understanding is worse than not knowing

those who know are isolated
those who abuse are honored
so the wise live without anything
but compassion in their heart

a strategic soldier says
to take the initiative removes an option of compassion
I will not advance only to lose my treasure

this is mobilizing without movement
preparing without revealing
capturing without attacking
armed without weapons

to disrespect an enemy is catastrophic
by dismissing my enemy I lose my treasure

should equal armies engage
the one carrying sorrow will prevail

an effective soldier is not violent
an effective fighter does not rage
an effective victor is not vengeful
an effective overseer is not privileged
such is not striving
such is ease

such is the art of engaging others
reflecting a unity with the heavens

everyone on earth claims Tao is great
its greatness is also unlikely
if it were probable it would have just as probably vanished

three treasures I hold dear
merciful courage
generous economy
wholesome humility

from mercy bravery
from economy largesse
from humility leadership

three compromises I dread
leaving mercy for bravado
abandoning a common economy for philanthropy
discarding humility to get ahead

compassion is the way of victory
through a strong defense
modeled on the heavens improbability

the ocean receives a multitude of rivers
because it is below them
like Tao all things return all rivers return to the ocean

to guide people to Tao serve with humility
to lead follow from behind
this defeats their defenses by reducing a sense of oppression
your presence is not harmful
you will be tirelessly supported

not competing
removes competition

initially those knowing Tao did not share
Tao was hidden from those not knowing Tao

it is hard to govern clever people
to try to out clever the clever cheats the country

to govern without slyness
is a blessing to the land

to be clever or not is a governance choice
to understand the difference clears the choice

integrity in governance draws on the deep
drawing all things to return to a great oneness

it takes little to maintain peace
to overcome trouble before it begins
to shatter the brittle
lose track of small details

act before things fall apart
attend to process before confusion begins

a tree wider than arm can span began as an acorn
a terraced garden begins as a pile of dirt
a thousand-mile journey starts before a first step

those relying on action defeat their own intent
those who grasp end with an empty hand
the wise defeat defeat through (non)action
not grasping they do not lose

the greatest failure comes on the leading margin of success
to care for the end is to care for the beginning
to care beyond success or failure

so the wise seek release from desire
not collecting treasures
not idolizing ideas
to bring people to awareness of what they have lost
to help the ten thousand lost things find their own way
by restraint in action

apply (non)action
work without struggle
taste the bland
esteem the small increase the few
respond to the bitter with care

see through complication to simplicity
attend to the greatness of the small

everywhere difficult things are done with ease
signifying acts come from small deeds
the wise focus on the parts
and find they add up

easy promises bring false trust
shortcuts lead to a great difficulty
the wise address difficulties
and are not caught unaware

the source of ten thousand things
a treasure for the good
a refuge for the bad

compliments can elicit honor
deeds can bring respect
assuring bad actors can reveal Tao

when a national leader is installed
or lower officials take their place
do not send extravagant gifts
remain still send Tao

Tao’s value
you find your treasure
are assured when erring
remain still in Tao

a great nation is like an ocean
the lower meeting place of all rivers
where all unite

females lead males through stillness
resting in the unity of stillness

in this way when the large body yields to the smaller
it provides care for the smaller
if a small nation submits
it can care for its citizens
those desiring to conquer must yield and care
those who do conquer do so through yielding

a large nation needs more people
a small nation needs protection
each can take part in unity
yielding is a practical practice

[Note: this one puzzles me. I don’t yet get it.]