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"When the government (cheng) is dull, Its people are wholesome; When the government is efficient (ch'a), Its people are deficient (ch'üeh). Calamities (huo) are what blessings depend on, In blessings are latent calamities (huo). Who knows where is the turning point (chi)? Because there is no longer the normal (cheng), The normal reverts and appears as the strange (ch'i), The good reverts and appears as the uncanny. Rulers (jen) have lost their way, For a long stretch of days. Therefore the sage is square but not cutting (ko), Sharp but not injurious, Straight but not overreaching, Bright (kuang) but not dazzling."