"highest good is like water. because water excels in benifiting the myriad creatures without contending with them and settles where none would like to be, it comes close to the way."..."it is because it does not contend that it is never at fault."
"the way is broad, reaching left as well as right. The myriad creatures depend on it for life yet it claims no authority. it accomplishes its task yet lays claims to no merit. it clothes and feeds the myriad creatures yet lays no claim to being their master. forever free of desire, it can be called small; yet, as it lays no claim to being master when the myriad creatures turn to it, it can be called great. it is because it never attempts itself to be great that it succeeds in becomeing great.
The way begets one; one begets two; two begets three; three begets the myriad creatures. The myriad creatures carry on their backs the yin and embrace in their arms the yang and are the blending of the generative forces of the two.
this one isnt specifacly about the critters, but is worth adding. ----------------------------------------------------------------- in the pursuit of learning one knows more everyday; in the pursuit of the way one does less everyday. one does less and less until one does nothing at all, and when one does nothing at all there is nothing left undone. it is aslways through not meddling that the empire is won. should you meddle, then you are not equal to the task of winning the empire.
The way gives them life; virtue rears them; things give them shape; circumstances bring them to maturity. Therefore the myriad creatures all revere the way and honour virtue. yet the way is revered and virtue honoured not because this is decreed by any authority but because it is natural for them to be treated so. thus the way gives them life and rears them; brings them up and nurses them; brings them to fruition and maturity; feeds and shelters them. it gives them life yet claims no possesion; it benefits them yet exacts no gratitude; it is the steward yet exercises no authority; such is called the mysterious virtue.
Comments 6
Reply
The myriad creatures depend on it for life yet it claims no authority. it accomplishes its task yet lays claims to no merit. it clothes and feeds the myriad creatures yet lays no claim to being their master. forever free of desire, it can be called small; yet, as it lays no claim to being master when the myriad creatures turn to it, it can be called great. it is because it never attempts itself to be great that it succeeds in becomeing great.
Reply
Reply
-----------------------------------------------------------------
in the pursuit of learning one knows more everyday; in the pursuit of the way one does less everyday. one does less and less until one does nothing at all, and when one does nothing at all there is nothing left undone. it is aslways through not meddling that the empire is won. should you meddle, then you are not equal to the task of winning the empire.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment