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What to Trust?

"When the government is quite unobtrusive, People are indeed pure. When the government is quite prying, People are indeed conniving. Misery is what happiness rests upon. Happiness is what misery lurks beneath. Who knows where it ends? Is there nothing correct? Correct becomes defect. Good becomes ominous. People's delusions have certainly lasted long. Therefore the sage is sharp but does not cut, Pointed but does not pierce, Forthright but does not offend, Bright but does not dazzle."

Author

Lao Tzu

All Translations

English

"When the government is quite unobtrusive, People are indeed pure. When the government is quite prying, People are indeed conniving. Misery is what happiness rests upon. Happiness is what misery lurks beneath. Who knows where it ends? Is there nothing correct? Correct becomes defect. Good becomes ominous. People's delusions have certainly lasted long. Therefore the sage is sharp but does not cut, Pointed but does not pierce, Forthright but does not offend, Bright but does not dazzle."

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