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When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people's hearts.
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When two opposing sides meet in battle, the one without an enemy will be victorious.
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In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart.
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In the world there are four greats, and the king is one of them.
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It's hard to keep your balance standing tip-toe.
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To joy in conquest is to joy in the loss of human life.
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Harmony is called the eternal. Knowing the eternal is called clarity.
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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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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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The Way is the source of all things, good people's treasure and bad people's refuge.
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The Way is hidden and nameless. Still only the Way nourishes and completes.
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Strong winds do not last all morning, hard rains do not last all day.
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If lightning is the anger of the gods, then the gods are concerned mostly about trees.
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I have the mind of a fool, understanding nothing.
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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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What resists, persists.
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In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple.
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If you are untrustworthy, people will not trust you.
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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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No disaster is worse than being discontented.
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Have patience. Wait until the mud settles and the water is clear. Remain unmoving until right action arises by itself.
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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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Everything will settle in its own place automatically.