51: Cultivate Integrity
Dao creates it; De nurtures it.
Matter forms it; Reason matures it.
This is why all that is,
venerates Dao and cherishes De.
Dao creates it; De nurtures it.
Matter forms it; Reason matures it.
This is why all that is,
venerates Dao and cherishes De.
Once we’re born,
we start dying.
3 out of 10 follow life.
3 out of 10 follow death.
3 out of 10 of those alive rush to their deaths.
Why? Because their life is so important to them.
The Wise frequent Yin-mind,
and the ordinary mind is Yang-mind.
Supporting those who deserve it,
and also those who don’t,
That’s integral support.
Scholars daily gain,
those on the Way daily lose.
Lose and lose again,
until there is nothing left to do.
Don’t leave home,
yet know the world.
Without cracking a window,
see Heaven’s Way.
In a world of Active Dao,
still, ride horses for fertilizer.
In a world of Passive Dao,
warhorses are born in open spaces.
If one is deficient in
Great Skill,
breath unbroken.
If one is overflowing in
Great Fullness,
breath “no extremes.”
Which is dearer,
your reputation or your body?
Which is more important,
your character or your wealth?
Which produces more anxiety,
gain or loss?
Nature’s softest,
overpowers nature’s hardest.
Yin and Yang join seamlessly.
Dao engenders Potential.
Potential generates Movement.
Potential and Movement become the Mystery.
The Mystery produces All Things.