Chapter 22 (continued)
October 23, 2022
Tolerating unfairness brings wholeness
Tolerating unfairness brings wholeness, receiving wrongful treatment becomes clarified, the hollow can be filled.
Old becomes new, small desires can be satisfied, greed brings confusion to others.
Therefore, a saint follows Dao to deal with people and everything.
Do not think you are wise, and you see clearly; do not think you are right, and you have clear understanding.
Do not boast, and you do things well; do not think highly of yourself, and you will persistently grow.
Do not fight with anyone, and no one under Heaven can fight against you.
The ancients say: tolerating unfairness brings wholeness. Are these just empty words?
Truly follow all of the profound philosophy above, and you will have an abundant harvest.
Chapter 22
September 26, 2022
Tolerating unfairness brings wholeness
Tolerating unfairness brings wholeness, receiving wrongful treatment becomes clarified, the hollow can be filled.
Old becomes new, small desires can be satisfied, greed brings confusion to others.
Therefore, a saint follows Dao to deal with people and everything.
Do not think you are wise, and you see clearly; do not think you are right, and you have clear understanding.
Do not boast, and you do things well; do not think highly of yourself, and you will persistently grow.
Do not fight with anyone, and no one under Heaven can fight against you.
The ancients say: tolerating unfairness brings wholeness. Are these just empty words?
Truly follow all of the profound philosophy above, and you will have an abundant harvest.
Chapter 21
September 19, 2022
Only obey Dao
The person who has great de (virtue) only obeys Dao.
What does Dao look like—seems there, seems not there and blurred
Blurred, not clear, but within are images of wan wu (countless things).
Not clear, blurred, but within is substance.
It is deep, profound, and obscure, but within is tiny matter (“dark” matter and energy), which is the essence and nature of everyone and everything.
The essence is real and can be believed.
From ancient times to now, its name never disappears.
Accordingly, you see the origin of everyone and everything, which is Dao.
How do I know the origin of everyone and everything? According to Dao.
Chapter 20 (continued)
September 12, 2022
Follow Dao principles to deal with life
Follow Dao principles to deal with life.
How far apart are respect and disrespect?
How different are kindness and unkindness?
What others fear, we should also fear.
It’s been like this from ancient times up to now!
Lots of people are excited, as if going to a sacrifice and feasting on lamb, pork, and beef, as if climbing terraces in the spring.
I am tranquil, still, and peaceful—unmoved and untouched.
Like a newborn infant who cannot smile yet.
My heart is bothered like a prodigal son, and cannot find the way to return.
Everyone has more than enough wealth, but it seems I am lacking.
My foolish heart and soul are ignorant and blurred.
Everyone else is smart and clear; I alone am confused and bothered.
Everyone else seems to see things clearly; I alone am dull, scattered, and troubled.
Like the turbulent sea, as well as like the quiet sea, and like the endless raging wind.
Everyone else has accomplishments, but I am stubborn and stupid.
I am different from others because I honor the mother of all, which is Dao.
Chapter 20
September 5, 2022
Follow Dao principles to deal with life
Follow Dao principles to deal with life.
How far apart are respect and disrespect?
How different are kindness and unkindness?
What others fear, we should also fear.
It’s been like this from ancient times up to now!
Lots of people are excited, as if going to a sacrifice and feasting on lamb, pork, and beef, as if climbing terraces in the spring.
I am tranquil, still, and peaceful—unmoved and untouched.
Like a newborn infant who cannot smile yet.
My heart is bothered like a prodigal son, and cannot find the way to return.
Everyone has more than enough wealth, but it seems I am lacking.
My foolish heart and soul are ignorant and blurred.
Everyone else is smart and clear; I alone am confused and bothered.
Everyone else seems to see things clearly; I alone am dull, scattered, and troubled.
Like the turbulent sea, as well as like the quiet sea, and like the endless raging wind.
Everyone else has accomplishments, but I am stubborn and stupid.
I am different from others because I honor the mother of all, which is Dao.
Chapter 19
August 29, 2022
Maintain purity, hold your original nature
Remove saints’ positions and do not use cleverness to manage a country or deal with people; then the people will benefit a hundred times more.
Remove false reputations of love and justice and the people return to being respectful and compassionate.
Remove seeking opportunities to take advantage of others by trickery, abandon selfishness and money orientation, and thieves will not exist.
These three (sheng-zhi, ren-yi, qiao-li) educate and manage a country and humanity, but they are not enough.
So create these principles to follow:
Maintain purity, hold your original nature; reduce selfishness and desires.
Chapter 18
August 22, 2022
When great Dao is abandoned, there is love and morality
When great Dao is abandoned, there is love and morality.
When intelligence is misused, then hypocrisy, deception, and fraud appear.
When parents, brother-sister, and husband-wife are not in harmony, then piety and compassion appear.
When nations fall into chaos, there are loyal ministers.
Chapter 17
August 15, 2022
Dao and politics join as one
The highest ruler is one whom people do not know exist.
The second layer of ruler is close to and admired by the people.
The third layer of ruler is feared by the people; the lowest layer of ruler is insulted by the people.
If the ruler is not honest and trustworthy enough, then the people will have no trust or belief in the ruler.
Deal with things in the wu wei (follow Dao) condition, with less talk.
When tasks are completed successfully and duties are satisfied and fulfilled
The common people all say, “This is original nature’s way.”