The ancient ones were simple-hearted
and blended with the common people
They did not shine forth
They did not rule with cleverness
So the nation was blessed
Now the rulers are filled with clever ideas
and the lives of people are filled with hardship
So the nation is cursed
Have you ever looked at a clever person and thought "Damn, he is so stupid"?
thats because being clever is not an advantage in life. Its actually a disadvantage.
tao knows that everything has a balance. If someone is clever, he might think its good for him,
however brainless monk laughs as balance of light and dark is restored and clever person
loses where he thought he would win.
What is the main problem of a clever person? Clever person has three problems.
First problem is that he finds problem in everything, so he is overburdened by problems
in his life.
Second problem is that clever people disagree in their cleverness, causing a fight and conflict in nation.
third problem is that clever person doesnt just solve problems. Clever person creates problems.
Using all their energy to constantly solve problems leaves nation out of resources.
All problems are created by the clever mind.
Mind free of thoughts does not think there are
any problems, so such mind lives in heaven while clever mind lives in hell.
Words born of the mind are not true
True words are not born of the mind
Those who have virtue do not look for faults
Those who look for faults have no virtue
Those who come to know It
do not rely on learning
Those who rely on learning
do not come to know It
The Sage sees the world
as an expansion of his own self
So what need has he to accumulate things?
By giving to others
he gains more and more
By serving others
he receives everything
Heaven gives,
and all things turn out for the best
The Sage lives,
and all things go as Tao goes
all things move as the wind blows
Let every state be simple
like a small village with few people
There may be tools to speed things up
ten or a hundred times
yet no one will care to use them
There may be boats and carriages
yet they will remain without riders
There may be armor and weaponry
yet they will sit collecting dust
The people must take death seriously
and not waste their lives in distant lands
Let them return
to the knotting of cord
Let them enjoy their food
and care for their clothing
Let them be content in their homes
and joyful in the way they live
After settling a great dispute
some resentment is sure to remain
Being content with what you have
is always best in the end
The Sage always assumes the debt
as if holding the left side of a contract
He gives and gives, and wants nothing in return
One with true virtue
always seeks a way to give
One who lacks true virtue
always seeks a way to get
To the giver comes the fullness of life
to the taker just an empty hand
Though the Tao of Heaven has no favorites
it always sides with one who has a pure heart
