Monday, June 22, 2020

primal simplicity

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Tao is always nameless.
Small as it is in its Primal Simplicity,
It is inferior to nothing in the world.
If only a ruler could cling to it,
Everything will render homage to him.
Heaven and Earth will be harmonized
And send down sweet dew
Peace and order will reign among the people
Without any command from above.
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When once the Primal Simplicity diversified,
Different names appeared.
Are there not enough names now?
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Is this not the time to stop?
To know when to stop is to preserve ourselves from danger.
The Tao is to the world what a great river or an ocean
is to the streams and brooks.
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~ Lao Tzu
from the Tao Te Ching
translated by John C. H. Wu

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