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Moderation of Desire

"When the world has Tau (when Tau reigns in the empire), horses are used only for purposes of agriculture. When the world has not Tau (when Tau does not reign in the empire), war-horses are bred on the waste common. There is no sin greater than giving rein to desire. There is no misery greater than discontent. There is no calamity more direful than the desire of possessing. Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is an everlasting sufficiency."

Author

Lao Tzu

All Translations

English

"When the world has Tau (when Tau reigns in the empire), horses are used only for purposes of agriculture. When the world has not Tau (when Tau does not reign in the empire), war-horses are bred on the waste common. There is no sin greater than giving rein to desire. There is no misery greater than discontent. There is no calamity more direful than the desire of possessing. Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is an everlasting sufficiency."

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