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"If someone wants to rule the world, and goes about trying to do so, I foresee that they simply will not succeed. The world is a sacred vessel, And is not something that can be ruled. Those who would rule it ruin it; Those who would control it lose it. In the way of things: Some move ahead while others follow behind; Some breathe to warm themselves while others breathe to cool themselves down; Some are strong while others are disadvantaged; Some accumulate while others collapse. It is for this reason that the sages eschew the excessive, the superlative, and the extravagant."

Author

Lao Tzu

All Translations

English

"If someone wants to rule the world, and goes about trying to do so, I foresee that they simply will not succeed. The world is a sacred vessel, And is not something that can be ruled. Those who would rule it ruin it; Those who would control it lose it. In the way of things: Some move ahead while others follow behind; Some breathe to warm themselves while others breathe to cool themselves down; Some are strong while others are disadvantaged; Some accumulate while others collapse. It is for this reason that the sages eschew the excessive, the superlative, and the extravagant."

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