| Those that would gain what's under heaven by tampering with it - Ive seen that they don't succeed. For that which is under heaven is like a holy vessel, dangerous to tamper with. Those that tamper with it, harm it. Human go-between is likely to fail. Those that grab at it lose it. Who makes can spoil well; who holds can lose. Among creatures of this world some lead and some follow. Some things go forward among creatures: some go in front, some follow behind - Some blow out, some blow in; some blow out while others would blow in. Some are feeling vigorous just when others are worn out. Some are strong, some are weak. Some are loading just when others would be tilting out. Some can break, some can fall. So the wise man discards excess, extravagance, and ridiculous pride: He discards even the absolute, the all-inclusive, the extreme. |
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