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We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.
Being satisfied with little, you can gain much. Seeking much you will go astray. The wise heeds this precept. If it could be so with all people!
The wise trusts not only to his physical eyes — thus he can see clearly.
The wise does not think that only he is right —thus he knows the truth.
He does not seek glory — yet people respect him.
He does not seek power — yet people follow him.
He does not struggle with anyone — thus no one can vanquish him.
He does not feel pity for himself — thus he can successfully develop.
Only he who does not seek to be ahead of others is capable of living in harmony with everyone.
The wise cares about everyone, and he becomes an example to all.
He does not praise himself — yet he is respectable.
He does not elevate himself — yet he is esteemed by others.
In ancient times, people said that imperfect moves to becoming perfect. Are these words vain? No! Truly, by gaining Unity you come to Perfection!
Tao can be talked about, but not the Eternal Tao.
Names can be named, but not the Eternal Name.
As the origin of heaven-and-earth, it is nameless:
As "the Mother" of all things, it is nameable.
So, as ever hidden, we should look at its inner aspects.
As always manifest, we should look at its outer aspects.
These two flow from the same source,
though differently named;
And both are called mysteries.
The Mystery of mysteries is the Door of all essence.
Those who know don't talk.
Those who talk don't know.
ONE
Leadership that can be fully explained is never True Leadership.
An element of mystery must remain.
Methods of Leading People that can be completely understood
are not the eternal Way of Leading People.
"Wordless" is the beginning & end of True Leadership.
Leadership begins with words.
The door to endless mystery.
FIFTEEN
Leaders of tomorrow-if they are to be at all-will be subtle, embodied & responsive.
Their leadership knowledge beyond measure.
Because it is beyond measure, all we can do
Is describe their behavior.
Connected in relationship to all things
Yet standing alone.
Exploring the depths of the outer
While plumbing the space of the inner
Until outer and inner become one.
Far beyond flatland.
A good athlete can enter a state of body-awareness in which the right stroke or the right movement happens by itself, effortlessly, without any interference of the conscious will. This is a paradigm for non-action: the purest and most effective form of action. The game plays the game; the poem writes the poem; we can't tell the dancer from the dance. It happens when we trust the intelligence of the universe in the same way that an athlete or a dancer trusts the superior intelligence of the body.
If you want to shrink something, you must first allow it to expand. If you want to get rid of something, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want to take something, you must first allow it to be given. This is called the subtler perception of the way things are. The soft overcomes the hard. The slow overcomes the fast. Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results.
Do you think that you can clear your mind by sitting constantly in silent meditation? This makes your mind narrow, not clear. Integral awareness is fluid and adaptable, present in all places and at all times. That is true meditation. . . . The Tao is clear and simple, and it doesn't avoid the world.
Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
Do you have patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself?
Verse 68 The Ethics of War
The best soldier fights
Without vengeance,
Without anger
And without hate.
He puts himself humbly
Below his comrades,
Thereby eliciting
The highest loyalty from them.
This is the power
Of non-belligerence
And cooperation.
It is the ancient path to the Great Integrity.
Verse 63 The secret to getting things done
Act without acting on. Work without working at.
Enter bountifulness when it is still insufficiency. Answer with kindness when faced with hostility.
Begin a difficult task in its easy stage, because large problems grow from small ones.
Begin a large task in its formative state, because complex issues originate from simple ones.
But be aware of those who promise quick and easy solutions! Accept problems as challenges.
In this way, the sage accomplishes great tasks without ever having to struggle with them.
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