Tao - Part 6

True perfection seems imperfect, 

yet it is perfectly itself. 

True fullness seems empty, 

yet it is fully present.

True straightness seems crooked. 

True wisdom seems foolish. 

True art seems artless.

The Master allows things to happen. 

She shapes events as they come. 

She steps out of the way and lets the Tao speak for itself.

Tao - Part 5

In the beginning was the Tao. 

All things issue from it; 

all things return to it.

To find the origin, trace back the manifestations. 

When you recognize the children and find the mother, 

you will be free of sorrow.

If you close your mind in judgements and traffic with desires, 

your heart will be troubled. 

If you keep your mind from judging and aren't led by the senses,

your heart will find peace.

Seeing into darkness is clarity. 

Knowing how to yield is strength. 

Use your own light and return to the source of light. 

This is called practicing eternity.

Tao - Part 4

If you realize that all things change, 

there is nothing you will try to hold on to. 

If you aren't afraid of dying, 

there is nothing you can't achieve.

Trying to control the future is like trying to take the master carpenter's place. 

When you handle the master carpenter's tools, 

chances are that you'll cut your hand.

Tao - Part 3

When they lose their sense of awe, 

people turn to religion. 

When they no longer trust themselves, 

they begin to depend upon authority.

Therefore the Master steps back so that people won't be confused. 

He teaches without a teaching, 

so that people will have nothing to learn.

Tao - Part 2

My teachings are easy to understand and easy to put into practice. 

Yet your intellect will never grasp them, and if you try to practice them, you'll fail.

My teachings are older than the world. How can you grasp their meaning?

If you want to know me, look inside your heart.

Tao - Part 1

The ancient Masters 

didn't try to educate the people, 

but kindly taught them to not-know.

When they think that they know the answers, 

people are difficult to guide. 

When they know that they don't know, 

people can find their own way.

If you want to learn how to govern, 

avoid being clever or rich. 

The simplest pattern is the clearest. 

Content with an ordinary life,

you can show all people the way back to their own true nature.