Author: Wesley White

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.]

governance is like preparing a delicacy

attend with Tao
troubled spirits become impotent
not through loss of power
but restricted harm
the uncontrolled will not harm
the wise will not harm
when harm is not done
the heavens and earth are refreshed

to care for others and serve all things
it is best to engage restraint
reserve begins with corraling opinion
this is learned by attending to the past
with a good store of wisdom possibilities open
with possibilities the horizon widens
to see a larger picture enhances governance
this primal guide to care holds over time
here is found deep roots and a firm foundation
long life and ongoing vision

gentle governance
opens neighborliness
opinionated rule
heightens suspicion

happiness is still found in misery
despair still lurks in enjoyment
the future is still undetermined

where honesty is subverted
the dishonest claim the virtue
where goodness is suspect
delusion long endures

a wise leader is clear without insistence
direct without disparaging
persistent without demanding
brilliant without blinding

lead a community with justice
war with surprise tactics
these are mastered without struggle
confirm this

increase restrictive laws
poor people become poorer
sharpen weapons
draw more trouble
ingenuity and cleverness
make room for stranger things
the stricter laws become
the more robbers and thieves thrive

become one who affirms
take no action and teach good behavior
enjoying peace models honest living
not scrounging for one more penny promotes prosperity
participating in Tao returns life to life

to know is to know
to talk of knowing is to talk of knowing

close your explanation
safeguard your senses
ease you edginess
clarify your problem
veil your brightness
anticipate oneness with dust
these are primary steps

those practiced in achieving this knowing
no longer distinguish friend from enemy
good from harm or honor from disgrace
this is deep satisfaction