道德经英文版

1-10篇(1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10)

11~20篇(11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20)

21~30篇(21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30)

31~40篇(31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40)

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道德经英文版

Tao Te Ching 道德经英文版

1-10篇

1

The infinity that can be conceived is not the

everlasting Infinity.

The infinity that can be described is not the

perpetual Infinity.

The inconceivable indescribable is the essence

of the all encompassing Infinite.

Conceiving and describing applies only to the

manifestations of Infinity.

Free from distinctions, experience the oneness of

Infinity.

Focus on distinctions and see only the

manifestations

of Infinity.

Yet distinction and non-distinction are one within

Infinity.

Potential within potential is

the essence of Infinity.

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2

Only when one distinguishes beauty

does one create the unattractive.

Only when one distinguishes good

does one create evil.

Also by distinction,

Tangible and intangible create each other,

Difficult and easy define each other,

Long and short measure each other,

High and low determine each other,

Sound and silence echo each other,

Beginning and end follow each other.

Therefore, the sage goes about living in the

oneness of

all things,

teaching without speaking,

accepting and dismissing all things with

indifference,

creating without attachment,

working without credit.

Acts and deeds are completed and forgotten.

Because the sage is at one with Infinity,

she is immortal.

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3

Exalting people creates the desire in others

to be exalted and therefore creates tension.

Overvaluing goods creates the desire for

ownership

and therefore creates the temptation to

steal.

When people do not distinguish things as valuable,

they remain focused on the oneness of all

things

and do not become confused in the material

world.

Therefore, harmonious leaders empty the people's

minds

but nourish their bodies.

They undermine desires

and improve endurance.

They keep the people focused on their oneness with

Infinity

and free them from attachments to material

things.

They redirect the energies of those

who would manipulate others.

If you remember your oneness with Infinity,

and flow with life by refusing to distinguish

good and bad,

you will flow in the peace and harmony

that is the essence of Infinity.

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4

Infinity is an empty vessel enveloping all

manifestations,

yet it can never be filled.

It is the potential of all things tangible and

intangible.

It blunts the sharp and hones the blunt,

unravels knots and binds all things,

dulls the glare and shines the mundane,

manifests the dust and clears the air.

It is the essence of all things.

No one can comprehend its origin.

It is older than the concept of God.

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5

Heaven and earth are indifferent.

All creatures are considered straw dogs;

not distinguished, not judged.

The sage is indifferent.

All people are one;

not distinguished, not judged.

Infinity is like a bellows,

empty yet encompassing the potential

of all things.

In time all potentials manifest.

Words are straw in the wind.

The more one talks, the less one says.

Keep focused on Infinity.

Remain centered in the oneness of

all things.

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6

The manifestations of Infinity never cease

manifesting.

Infinity is the primal creator, the oneness of male

and female.

Infinity is the gate though which heaven

and earth manifested.

It is invisible to the senses,

yet totally permeates all things.

It is inexhaustible and eternally available

for any purpose.

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7

Heaven and earth will pass away

but Infinity endures forever.

It had no beginning and so It can never end.

It is the inexhaustible essence of all things.

Because the sage remains behind

in her oneness with all things,

she anticipates all manifestations.

Being at one with Infinity,

she is indifferent.

Because she does not distinguish herself from

other beings,

she is completely fulfilled.

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8

Water is like Infinity,

it gives itself to all things

without distinction or judgment

and settles into the lowest places

without deliberation.

In dwelling, live in harmony with the land.

In meditation, remember your oneness with the

Infinite.

In dealing with others, do not judge.

In communicating, relate the truth.

In governing, be fair.

In daily life, be in harmony with all things

and at peace with all people.

In action, be mindful that there is a time

and a season for all things.

Avoid judging and its legacy contention

and flow in the peace and harmony

of the oneness of humanity.

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9

Fill anything to the brim and the contents will spill

out.

Hone a sharpened blade and it will become blunt.

Accumulate great wealth, but be aware that you

cannot keep it.

When a task is complete, move on.

Change is the harmony of Infinity.

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10

Manifesting body, mind and spirit,

can you stay centered in the oneness of

Infinity?

Fully manifesting and remaining flexible,

can you experience all manifestations

as a newborn baby?

Can you maintain the Infinite vision of oneness

by ignoring distinctions.

Remaining centered in oneness and leading others,

can you avoid manifesting arrogance?

Entering and exiting the gates of manifestations,

can you harmonize with Infinity?

Realizing your oneness with Infinity,

can you flow in harmony with It

by indifferently allowing things to come and

go?

Can you create and sustain things,

and yet remain unattached to them?

Can you work in harmony with all things,

without desiring acknowledgment for your

deeds?

Exemplifying oneness,

flowing in peace and harmony,

not distinguishing, not judging,

is the nature of Infinity.

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11~20篇

11

Thirty spokes converge on the wheel's hub.

But the center hole which receives the axle

makes it useful.

Clay is shaped into a pot.

But the inner space which receives whatever

one puts into it makes it useful.

Wood is cut and joined to build a house.

But the windows and doors which allow

things to enter and leave make it

useful.

The potential utility resides in the tangible.

But true usefulness is a manifestation of

the intangible.

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12

The oneness of the five colors blind the eyes.

The oneness of the five tones deafens the ears.

The oneness of the five flavors dull the tongue.

Racing ahead of change

and pursuing the illusion of reality

promotes confusion.

Therefore, the sage is in harmony with what she is

and does not distinguish what she sees.

She chooses oneness and distinguishes nothing.

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13

Accept disgrace indifferently.

Acknowledge misfortune as one of the human

conditions.

What does it mean to "accept disgrace

indifferently"?

Honor and disgrace are one in the Infinite.

Only by making distinctions does one

manifest disgrace.

Refusing to make distinctions

merges honor and disgrace into the

oneness of circumstances

which creates harmony.

What is meant by "acknowledging misfortune

as one of the human conditions"?

The body is a manifestation of Infinity

and the body is subject to being

affected by the other manifestations

of Infinity.

Misfortune is one of those other

manifestations.

However, as with disgrace,

refusing to distinguish misfortune and

fortune

creates indifference which keeps one

focused

on the oneness of Infinity

and creates peace in the self.

Stay centered in

your oneness with Infinity

and you can be entrusted with leadership.

See the world as yourself

and you will care for all things.

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14

Look and see the manifestations of the Infinite

but not its essence.

Listen and hear the manifestations of the Infinite

but not its essence.

Reach out and touch the manifestations of the

Infinite

but not its essence.

These three are one in their inability to relate

the essence of Infinity.

Above it is not light.

Below it is not dark.

It is neither light nor dark.

Infinity is the potential manifestation of all

things

and the essence into which all

manifestations

disintegrate.

Yet it is inconceivable and indescribable;

intangible but the essence of all

manifestations.

You cannot confront what has no head

and you cannot follow what has no tail.

Remember your oneness,

flow in the peace and harmony of Infinity,

live in the now, changing and flowing with

change.

There was no beginning.

This is the mystery of Infinity.

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15

Those who live in oneness manifest the Infinite

in simple ways.

Their awareness is the awareness of Infinity.

Their knowing cannot be described but only

experienced.

All that can be described is their acts and their

appearance and the perception of them.

They are;

alert when crossing unfamiliar space,

cautious in hostile lands,

humble as a guest,

indifferently transforming as melting ice,

possessing the infinite potential of

an unremarkable piece of uncarved

wood,

mysterious as an unexplored valley,

perplexing as muddy water.

Can you see the calm in turbulent waters;

the clarity in murky water?

Can you allow the tides of Infinite change

to move you from stillness to motion

and action to inaction;

experiencing but not contemplating the

change?

Those who live in oneness do not seek

fullness because at every moment they

are aware of their infinite fullness and

the infinite pregnancy of all things.

They are aware of their infinite potential

within which the limitations of fullness

resides.

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16

Contemplate Infinity and become peaceful as the

mind becomes lost.

The self perceives the never ending

manifestations of

the potential of Infinity as well as the

disintegration

of all those manifestations.

Within Infinity all things manifest

and disintegrate.

Disintegration is a returning to the Infinite

potential.

Disintegration is the destiny of all

manifestations.

Manifesting is the nature of Infinity.

Change is the Infinite constant.

Acknowledging change is the key to understanding

the harmony of never ending change.

Acknowledging change within the Infinite potential

of which every creature is a manifestation,

unique, yet bound to all things in

disintegration,

gives one a perspective regarding life.

Possessing perspective, one becomes impartial,

openhearted, tolerant, compassionate

and indifferent to judging others.

These are foundations of harmony.

The manifestation of the body disintegrates

but Infinity can never disintegrate into

itself.

There is nothing to fear.

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17

The best leaders are in harmony with their

followers.

The next best are those who are respected.

Then comes those who are feared.

The worst are those who are despised.

If one perceives others as untrustworthy,

then that will be the experience that

one acknowledges.

The selective acknowledgment of

untrustworthiness

verifies one's perception of the

untrustworthiness

of others.

When the leaders are in harmony with their

followers,

few laws are necessary

and all tasks are accomplished with ease.

The followers, not perceiving the

administration

of leadership, marvel at the

manifestations

of harmony and experience a sense of

self worth.

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18

When the oneness of Infinity is forgotten,

judgment appears and people are

distinguished as good and righteous.

When the illusion of knowledge and understanding

appear,

the physical reality has been confused with

Infinity.

When there is no peace and harmony within the

family,

a facade of devotion and obedience is

perceived.

When a nation manifests great change,

patriots step forward

to attempt to resurrect the past.

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19

Quit distinguishing the wise and their wisdom,

the saints and their holiness,

and the people will be a hundred times better

off.

Quit distinguishing morality, righteousness and

benevolence

and humanity will stay centered in its

oneness.

Abandon the pursuit of commercial profit

and the number of thieves and robbers will be

greatly reduced.

These are just three impediments to peace and

harmony

and abandoning them is not enough.

Peace and harmony reside in the simplicity

of an uncarved piece of wood.

Quit distinguishing the self and reside in oneness.

Curb your desires and aspirations

and experience the peace and harmony of

simplicity.

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20

Give up the pursuit of knowledge and live in peace

and harmony.

Without knowledge there is no difference

between good and evil.

Is it necessary to learn to fear what others

perceive should be feared? Nonsense!

Other people are excited, joyous and festive

as if enjoying a holiday.

I alone am indifferent, without emotion

or expression; like a baby

before it has learned to smile.

Others have things they feel they need.

I alone own nothing.

I am like a fool unfettered by knowledge.

Other people are intelligent. I alone am ignorant.

Others are shrewd and cunning.

I alone am untouched and moronic.

I aimlessly drift on the great tides of the endless

seas

at the mercy of the indifferent winds.

Others have direction, goals and purposes.

I alone flow within the harmony of Infinity.

I am different from others.

I reside in the peace and harmony of

the Infinite oneness of all things.

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21~30篇

21

To attain peace and harmony,

stay focused on the oneness of Infinity.

Infinity is the intangible potential of all things;

intangible yet manifesting all images,

intangible yet manifesting all substance.

Within the Infinite void resides the

Infinite potential of all things.

All tangible things are a manifestation of the

Infinite essence.

From the present, forever into the past,

forever into the future,

Infinity is the homogenous essence.

The potential of all things forever manifest

and forever disintegrate within the Infinite.

How can I know the manifestations of Infinity?

Because I am at one with Infinity.

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22

If you accept all things by refusing to distinguish

good and bad,

you overcome the confusion of the physical

reality

and live in harmony with the Infinite

manifestations.

If you bend as you are impacted by manifestations,

your path of peace and harmony

will remain straight and true.

If you empty your mind of knowledge,

you will fill with the experience

of oneness with the Infinite.

All manifestations constantly disintegrate and

remanifest.

As your body wears out, your spirit is

reborn.

Possess little in goods and thoughts and

maintain your vision of oneness with

Infinity.

Possess much and become lost in the confusion

that the physical reality is the true reality.

Therefore, remain focused on the oneness of

Infinity

and become a beacon for all beings.

Do not distinguish the self

and manifest the oneness of Infinity for all

to see.

Do not assert the self and others will follow.

Do not bolster the self and other will give their

respect.

Do not allow the self to brag

and others will bestow their praise.

Do not allow the self to be quarrelsome

and experience peace with all beings.

Is not it true that if you accept all things

by refusing to distinguish good and bad,

you overcome the confusion of the physical

reality and live in harmony with

the Infinite manifestations?

Flow with the peace and harmony of the oneness

of Infinity and experience immortality.

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23

To seldom speak is the essence of simplicity.

The winds do not last all morning.

The rain does not last all day.

The earth that manifests the winds and the rain

is itself a manifestation of change.

All things change, nothing is eternal but change.

All the manifestations of humanity are fleeting

as is the entire physical universe.

Keep your focus on the oneness of Infinity,

manifesting the potential of all things

and disintegrating all the manifestations.

Flow in the peace and harmony of eternal

change.

Focus on goodness and virtue and you lose

sight of the oneness of all people.

Focus on failure and your life becomes failure.

Focus on peace and harmony, the essence of

Infinity, and experience peace and harmony.

Embrace change and live in peace.

Embrace the experience of the moment,

refuse to distinguish good and bad,

happy and sad, difficult and easy.

What you distinguish comes to you for a time.

When it comes embrace it

and when it leaves let it go.

This is living within the oneness of the Infinite.

This is the key to peace and harmony.

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24

Stand on your toes and you will not maintain your

balance.

Run and you will have to rest.

Keep a harmonious pace

and you can circumnavigate the earth.

Draw attention to yourself and others may

consider you a fool.

Become self-righteous and others will avoid you.

Boasting impresses no one.

Brag and you may be put to the test.

Within the oneness of Infinity,

all these are delusions of the physical

world.

They do not bring peace and harmony.

Be at one with Infinity and keep these in

perspective.

They are transient excesses in a transient

universe.

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25

Before the physical universe existed,

the potential of all things

permeated time and space.

It was silent and empty, loud and pregnant.

Solitary in its oneness, crowded in its potential,

static and dynamic, hot and cold, light and

dark.

The potential of all things,

for lack of another name,

I call it Infinity.

It permeates all things and non-things.

It manifests realities and disintegrates those

realities.

All things are birthed from it

and all things return to it.

Infinity is marvelous.

The physical universe is marvelous.

The earth is marvelous.

Human beings are marvelous.

These are the four realities.

Human beings are a manifestation of the

earth;

the earth, a manifestation of the physical

universe;

the physical universe, a manifestation of

Infinity;

Infinity, the potential of all things.

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26

Infinity is the source of all physical

manifestations.

The Infinite stillness is the creator of the

churning

universe.

The sage travels all day over the land and sea

but does not lose sight of Infinity.

Though the manifestations of the earth are

wondrous and beautiful,

she remains indifferent because she remains

centered

in the Infinite oneness.

The leader of multitudes cannot afford to

lose her perspective.

Indulging in the physical manifestations

results in a loss of focus on the

Infinite.

To be caught up in distinguishing things,

narrows the leader's perspective

to that of her followers.

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27

A proficient traveler leaves no evidence of his

journey.

A proficient speaker is impeccable in his

presentation.

A proficient accountant needs no tally sheet.

A functional door has no lock

but can only opened by the owner.

A perfect binding has no knots

yet only the binder can loosen it.

The sage is the light of all human beings

and rejects no one.

She efficiently uses all things

and discards nothing.

This is called manifesting Infinity.

What is a sage but a guide to peace and harmony?

What is a materialistic traveler but the

sage's focus?

For the student not to value the teacher

or the teacher not to love the student

or for the followers not to acknowledge the

leader

or the leader not to care for the

followers,

is the cause of great confusion.

This is a key to peace and harmony,

teachers and leaders remind others of who

they are

and their oneness with Infinity.

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28

Integrate the male and the female

and travel the peaceful path of oneness.

Be at one with Infinity.

Being at one with Infinity,

do not become confused

in distinctions of male and female.

Experience the oneness

as an undistinguishing child.

See the white and the black as one.

Be a guiding light to the world.

As a guiding light to the world,

standing firm in the truth of oneness,

mirror Infinity for all to see.

Remember that honor and humility are one.

Be a vessel of Infinity.

As a vessel of Infinity,

be a resource to all beings.

Become as a piece of uncarved wood;

available for any purpose.

When a piece of wood is carved, it becomes useful.

When the sage flows in oneness, he becomes useful

as king.

Therefore, the sage is careful in using what he

needs

but avoiding kingship.

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29

Do you think you can control the world?

I do not believe it can be done.

The world is a manifestation of change

and cannot be controlled.

If you try to control it, you will end up deceiving

yourself.

If you treat it like an object, it will overwhelm

you.

The world is a manifestation of change;

sometimes ahead, sometimes behind,

sometimes dynamic, sometimes static,

sometimes vigorous, sometimes feeble,

sometimes manifesting, sometimes

disintegrating.

Therefore, refuse to distinguish excesses and

extremes.

See only oneness.

Flow with Infinity

and exist in peace and harmony.

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30

Whenever you have an opportunity to advise a

leader

regarding Infinity, advise her not to use

force

to try to gain control of the world.

Why?

Because force attracts resistance

and the greater the force

the greater the resistance.

Briars grow where armies have been

and hard times are the legacy of a great war.

Conclude hostilities as soon as possible

and do not continue to use excessive force

after victory.

Fulfill your purpose but never glory in inhumane

acts.

Fulfill your purpose but never boast of

bloodletting.

Fulfill your purpose but never take pride in

killing.

Fulfill your purpose but avoid violence.

Fulfill your purpose by flowing within

the oneness of Infinity.

The use of force dissipates life.

Force is not the way of peace and harmony.

That which goes against peace and harmony

is short lived.

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31~40篇

31

Weapons of war are instruments of death.

All people fear them.

Therefore, all men of peace avoid them.

The sage prefers Infinity.

The man of war prefers the earth.

Weapons are instruments of death

and the tools of a warrior.

The sage avoids them at all cost;

and sometimes prefers death rather

than touching them.

Peace and harmony are the sage's reality.

She considers victory to be the bastard

child of war.

If you revel in victory,

then you sanction war and the killing of

human beings.

If you accept killing,

you have forgotten your oneness with all

beings.

In time of celebration the left is the dominant

position;

In times of grief the right.

During wartime the general always stands on the

left

and the king on the right.

If even one person is killed in war,

it is cause for great grief and mourning.

Victory is simply the maker of widows and orphans.

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32

Infinity can never be defined in words.

Smaller than an atom, greater than forever,

it can never be comprehended.

If kings would stay centered in the Infinite,

they would not try to control the

uncontrollable;

Heaven and earth would be seen as a manifestation

of the oneness of Infinity,

as harmonious as dew accumulating on the

ground.

The people would recognize Infinity manifesting

in their king and all things would be

in harmony.

When the whole is distinguished into parts,

and parts into more parts

and more parts into even more parts

a myriad names are required.

There are already too many distinctions and

names.

The naming of things focuses on the manifestations

of Infinity

and too much distinguishing can result in one

becoming confused in the manifestations and

oblivious to

the oneness of all things.

Refuse to distinguish the components of the whole.

See the oneness of Infinity,

and see the earth as a manifestation

disintegrating back into Infinity.

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33

Knowing others is impossible.

Knowing one's self requires only a remembering

of one's unity with all things.

Conquering others requires force.

Conquering one's self requires letting go.

He who understands his oneness with Infinity

resides in peace.

Living one day at a time is the essence of harmony.

One who lives in harmony endures.

Passing through death's door is immortality.

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34

Infinity permeates everything in every direction;

to the left as well as to the right.

It is the potential of all things,

and the manifestation of all things.

Its total essence resides in all things.

It has no purpose.

It is complete in its indifference.

It manifests and disintegrates all things forever.

It sustains all things,

yet it is the god of no thing.

It has no purpose.

It is Infinitely insignificant.

All manifestations after a time disintegrate back

into It,

yet It is the god of no thing.

It permeates everything

and so there is nothing outside its realm.

It cannot appear great

because it is at one with everything.

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35

All beings are drawn to those who stay centered

in their oneness with Infinity

because they flow in peace and

harmony.

The manifestations of music and delicious food

catch the attention of those passing by.

But the essence of Infinity goes unnoticed.

It makes no sound and has no flavor

and yet It is the inexhaustible source

of the manifestations of all sounds

and all flavors.

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36

All manifestations that expand will eventually

shrink.

All manifestations that strengthen will eventually

weaken.

All manifestations that are lifted up will

eventually be

cast down.

Nothing can be received unless it is given.

This is called distinguishing the oneness of

Infinity.

Soft and weak forever disintegrate the hard and

strong.

Hard and strong forever disintegrate the soft and

weak.

This is called the nature of Infinity.

Fish are at one with water;

undistinguished by Infinity.

A nation and its weapons

cannot be distinguished.

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37

Infinity is the essence of all things.

Without intention, It manifests all things.

If leaders and kings

remain focused on the oneness of Infinity,

nations will flow in peace and harmony.

If leaders and kings are compelled to act,

they should focus on Infinity

and refuse to manifest desire.

If there is no desire for action,

the world would flow in the peace and harmony

of the oneness of Infinity.

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38

A good person is not focused on her goodness

because she is centered in oneness.

A confused person is focused on goodness

and consequently has difficulty obtaining it.

A person centered in oneness

flows with life and appears to do nothing;

yet because she is in harmony

with the oneness of Infinity

she leaves nothing undone.

A confused person is focused on achievements

and consequently never truly achieves

anything.

A caring person is caring all the time

and therefore leaves nothing unnurtured.

When the righteous person does something,

he leaves things in turmoil.

When a person of great discipline does something

and others do not follow,

he attempts to force them to conform to his

perception of reality.

When the oneness of humanity is forgotten,

a distinction is made between good and evil.

Focusing on goodness leads one down the

path of self-righteousness which

separates a person from others.

Self-righteousness leads to justice

and since justice is as arbitrary as

goodness

and righteousness, it degenerates into

a facade of justice or ritual.

Ritual is the backbone of religion

and religion is the harbinger of

judgment

and judgment is the backbone of

conflict.

Therefore, a centered person dwells upon the

oneness of Infinity and not on

distinguishing which leads to confusion;

on the plant and not on the flower.

A centered person embraces oneness

and rejects distinctions.

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39

All things are at one with Infinity.

When humanity is centered in this oneness:

the sky remains clear and beautiful,

the earth remains pure and sustains life,

the spirit of humanity is in harmony,

the valley is the source of abundance,

all creatures reproduce, regenerate and

replenish the earth,

leaders and kings are in harmony

and nations are at peace.

When humanity focuses on the manifestations of

Infinity,

distinguishes and judges all things

and thereby forgets the oneness of Infinity:

the sky becomes cloudy with pollution,

the earth becomes a cesspool

unable to easily neutralize the many

poisons,

the spirit of humanity becomes confused

and accepts conflict as the nature of

humanity,

the valley no longer produces abundance

and what it does produce is tainted.

Leaders and kings take their nations to war

in order to control the untainted

lands,

creatures no longer reproduce, species die

out

and parts of the earth, unattended by

the myriad creatures, no longer

regenerate or replenish themselves,

the people of all nations live in conflict,

fear, hunger and depression.

Therefore, never forget that oneness is the

essence of harmony; the simple is the way of

peace.

Leaders and kings consider themselves, alone,

ridiculed

and misunderstood when they forget their

oneness with Infinity.

In confusion, they inevitably lead their nations to

war.

In order to maintain peace and harmony in the land,

they must flow in the peace and harmony

of the oneness of all things.

Too much success is a sign that one has

begun to focus on manifestations and

not on Infinity, the essence of all

manifestations.

Do not distinguish precious jade.

Remain centered in the peace and harmony

of the oneness of all things.

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40

Manifesting and disintegrating is the

activity of Infinity.

Yielding to manifestations, yielding to

disintegration

is the nature of peace and harmony.

Things are manifested from the tangible.

The tangible is manifested from the intangible.

comment on this version of transaltion

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