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Propounding the essential

"True words are not pleasant ; pleasant words are not true. The good are not contentious ; the contentious are not good. The wise are not learned ; the learned are not wise. The holy man hoards not. The more he does for others, the more he owns himself. The more he gives to others, the more he acquires himself. Heaven's Reason is to benefit but not to injure; the holy man's Reason is to act but not to strive."

Author

Lao Tzu

All Translations

English

"True words are not pleasant ; pleasant words are not true. The good are not contentious ; the contentious are not good. The wise are not learned ; the learned are not wise. The holy man hoards not. The more he does for others, the more he owns himself. The more he gives to others, the more he acquires himself. Heaven's Reason is to benefit but not to injure; the holy man's Reason is to act but not to strive."

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