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Strong winds do not last all morning, hard rains do not last all day.
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It's hard to keep your balance standing tip-toe.
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To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate ... When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!
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A man is born gentle and weak. At death he is hard and stiff.
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They can see their neighbors. Roosters and dogs can be heard from there. Still, they will age and die without visiting one another.
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The Way is hidden and nameless. Still only the Way nourishes and completes.
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To joy in conquest is to joy in the loss of human life.
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The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths. Be aware when things are out of balance. Stay centered within the Tao.
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If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees.
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When two opposing sides meet in battle, the one without an enemy will be victorious.
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I have the mind of a fool, understanding nothing.
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When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people's hearts.
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In the world there are four greats, and the king is one of them.
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When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating.
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In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple.
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Harmony is called the eternal. Knowing the eternal is called clarity.
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If you are untrustworthy, people will not trust you.
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When the uncarved wood is split, its parts are put to use. When the sage is put to use, he becomes the head.
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In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart.
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When the people of the world all know beauty as beauty, There arises the recognition of ugliness. When they all know the good as good, There arises the recognition of evil.
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What resists, persists.
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No disaster is worse than being discontented.
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How can one liberate the many? By first liberating his own being. He does this not by elevating himself, but by lowering himself. He lowers himself to that which is simple, modest, true; integrating it into himself, he becomes a master of simplicity, modesty, truth.
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Those who would take over the earth and shape it to their will, never, I notice succeed.