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"Way-making (dao) is the flowing together of all things (wanwu). It is prized by those who are able While safeguarding those who are inept. Certainly fine words can be used in negotiations And noble behavior can enable one to surpass others. But why would we want to get rid of those who are inept? At the coronation of the Son of tian And at the inauguration of the three high ministers, Better to respectfully present them with the tribute of this way-making Than to offer up discs of jade followed by teams of horses. Why was it that this way-making was so revered in antiquity? Is it not said that way-making enables those who seek to get what they want, And those who have done wrong to avoid retribution? Thus it is the most valuable thing in the world."

Author

Lao Tzu

All Translations

English

"Way-making (dao) is the flowing together of all things (wanwu). It is prized by those who are able While safeguarding those who are inept. Certainly fine words can be used in negotiations And noble behavior can enable one to surpass others. But why would we want to get rid of those who are inept? At the coronation of the Son of tian And at the inauguration of the three high ministers, Better to respectfully present them with the tribute of this way-making Than to offer up discs of jade followed by teams of horses. Why was it that this way-making was so revered in antiquity? Is it not said that way-making enables those who seek to get what they want, And those who have done wrong to avoid retribution? Thus it is the most valuable thing in the world."

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