Book 1 (Tao):17th Quotation
The highest Ruler
Is the one not known to exist by those below.
Next to him is the ruler
The people relate to and praise.
Next to him is the ruler
The people fear.
Next to him is the ruler
Mocked by the people.
It is when one’s faith is not adequate
That there are those who have no faith in him.
Cautious!
He prizes his words,
Accomplishes merit and orders affairs,
So the hundred names all say:
“We are like this by nature”
Book 1 (Tao): 33rd Quotation
He who knows men
Is wise.
He who knows himself
Is enlightened.
He who is victorious over men
Is brawny.
He who is victorious over himself
Is strong.
He who knows contentment
Is rich.
He who acts determinedly
Is successful.
He who does not lose his place
Endures.
He who does not his place
Endures.
He who dies yet does not perish
Lives forever.
116
Joe IsaaC gauthIer
Book 2 (Te): 42nd Quotation
“The mighty and fierce obtain no natural death.
This I shall use as a father to my teachings.” Book 2 (Te): 50th Quotation
Man comes out into life
And enters into death.
The apprentices of life
Are ten and three.
The apprentices of death
Are ten and three.
Those who live life as movement toward death Are also ten and three.
For what reason?
Book 2 (Te): 52nd Quotation
There was a genesis for all under Heaven, And this genesis may be taken as
The Mother of all under Heaven.
He who has already found this Mother
May understand Her offspring,
And having understood Her offspring,
Return to preserve the Mother
And be unharmed to the end.
Block the apertures, shut the gates,
And to the end there will be no toil.
Open the apertures, heighten activity,
And to the end there will be no salvation.
To observe the small is called enlightenment.
To preserve the weak is called strong.
One uses brilliance
And returns to enlightenment
To bring no misfortune upon oneself.
This is called “practicing the eternal.” 117
My BelIef
Book 2 (Te): 72nd Quotation
When the people do not fear the awesome
Then something more awful obtains.
Their dwelling space should not be constricted, Their life-styles should not be oppressed.
Only if the ruler does not oppress them
Do they not tire of the ruler.
Hence the sage knows himself
Yet does not show himself.
He loves himself
Yet does not esteem himself.
He therefore discards that and accepts this.
118
Joe IsaaC gauthIer
YIN
YANG
LIGHT
DARKNESS
LIFE
DEATH
EASTERN SUN
WESTERN SUN
FEMALE