Tag: the way

XXII

To be full,
Become empty.
To become new,
Grow old.
Desire little,
Get it.
Desire much,
Do not.

The sage follow the way,
So others may follow in turn.
Outward-looking,
They are luminous.
Wanting nothing,
The world cannot overcome them.

To become whole,
Submit to breaking.

XXI

Though the way is ungraspable,
We know it exists.
Though evasive,
It is manifest.
Though secluded,
It brims with vitality.
It has been here
Since the beginning.
Where does it come from?
Look inside and see.

XX

While others are joyful,
I am expressionless.
While others have abundance,
I possess nothing.
While others are bright,
I alone am in darkness.
While others are discriminating,
I am confused.

I am a fool,
With a mind in chaos.
What’s the difference
Between no and yes?
Between bad and good?
Why fear what others fear?
Forego knowledge,
And problems will dissolve.
I drift on the waves,
At the mercy of the wind.

XIX

Forego knowledge,
And others will thank you.
Reject righteousness,
And they will care.
Resist greed,
To end to thievery.
Desire little,
Putting others first.

XVIII

When the quiet compassion
Of the way is abandoned,
Overt righteousness arises,
Hypocrisy close behind.

People only speak brotherly love
In the midst of family strife.
People only speak patriotism,
When the land is in chaos.

XVII

The worst leader is despised,
The next-worst, feared.
Better leaders, loved.
The best, hardly noticed.

Prizing words,
They use them sparingly.
Trusting the people,
Their trust is merited.

Accomplishments quietly earned,
So the people may claim them
As their own.

XVI

The systems of the world,
Observed, origins pondered.
All returns to the source –
The constant – tranquility.
The constant known – wisdom.
The constant ignored – ill deeds.

Know the constant, know acceptance.
Know acceptance, know impartiality.
Know impartiality, fear nothing,
Treading the path.