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58

"When the government is muddled and confused, The people are genuine and sincere. When the government is discriminate and clear, The state is crafy and cunning. [Disaster is that on which good fortune depends.] Good fortune is that in which disaster's concealed. Who knows where it will end? For there is no [fixed] "correct." The "correct" turns into the "deviant"; And "good" turns into "evil." People's state of confusion Has certainly existed for a long time. Therefore be square but don't cut; Be sharp but don't stab; Be straightforward but not unrestrained; Be bright but don't dazzle."

Author

Lao Tzu

All Translations

German

"WER IM HERRSCHEN lässig bleibt, Wahrt des Volkes Zucht und Segen. Wer herumspäht, hemmt und treibt, Bringt es dem Verfall entgegen. Wie das Glück im Unglück reift, Lauert Unglück in dem Glücke. Wer die Wahrheit recht begreift, Hütet sich vor seiner Tücke. Wenn der Herrscher selber irrt, Wird's nur Schelme, Heuchler geben, Und aus der Verblendung wird Sich das Volk sehr spät erheben. Drum ist echte Herrscherkunst: Gerade ohne Winkelzüge, Billig ohne Groll und Gunst, Leuchtend ohne Glanz und Lüge."

English

"When the government is muddled and confused, The people are genuine and sincere. When the government is discriminate and clear, The state is crafy and cunning. [Disaster is that on which good fortune depends.] Good fortune is that in which disaster's concealed. Who knows where it will end? For there is no [fixed] "correct." The "correct" turns into the "deviant"; And "good" turns into "evil." People's state of confusion Has certainly existed for a long time. Therefore be square but don't cut; Be sharp but don't stab; Be straightforward but not unrestrained; Be bright but don't dazzle."

Hungarian

"Vaksi kormány népe boldog, szemes kormány népe szenved. Bajra jő a jószerencse, s a szerencse bajra fordul: jónak, rossznak mi határa? Nincs megállás: korcs az épség, átokká torzul az áldás: oly régóta tévelyeg már vak sötétségben az ember! Bölcsnek élessége tompa, négyszögének nincsen sarka, egyenes, de nincsen hossza, fényének nincs ragyogása."

Russian

"Его управление невежественно, а народ его бесхитростен. Его управление проницательно, а народ его хитер и коварен. Несчастье пусть станет опорой для счастья. Счастье пусть таит в себе несчастье. Кто осознает свой предел? Нормальное обращается, становясь аномальным. Добро обращается, становясь нечистью. Человек потерял свое солнце в глубокой древности. Это дает: Человек мудрости, упорядочивая по квадрату, не разделяет; выделяя грани, не режет; будучи прямым, не жесток; будучи светлым, не слепит."

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