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"When great scholars heard of Tao, they diligently followed it. When mediocre scholars heard of Tao, sometimes they kept it, sometimes they lost it. When inferior scholars heard of Tao, they laughed at it. Whether they laugh or whether they follow, Tao remains active. Therefore the poets have said: Brightness of Tao seems to be dark, Progress in Tao seems going back, The aim of Tao seems confused. The highest Tao seems lowliest, Great purity seems full of shame, The fullest Teh seems incomplete. Teachers of Teh have lost their zeal And certain Truth appears to change. A great square with inner angles, A great vase unfinished, A great voice never heard, A great Image with inner form. Tao is hid within its Name, But by Tao the Masters bless, And all things bring to perfectness."
Author
Lao TzuAll Translations
"When great scholars heard of Tao, they diligently followed it. When mediocre scholars heard of Tao, sometimes they kept it, sometimes they lost it. When inferior scholars heard of Tao, they laughed at it. Whether they laugh or whether they follow, Tao remains active. Therefore the poets have said: Brightness of Tao seems to be dark, Progress in Tao seems going back, The aim of Tao seems confused. The highest Tao seems lowliest, Great purity seems full of shame, The fullest Teh seems incomplete. Teachers of Teh have lost their zeal And certain Truth appears to change. A great square with inner angles, A great vase unfinished, A great voice never heard, A great Image with inner form. Tao is hid within its Name, But by Tao the Masters bless, And all things bring to perfectness."