Wednesday, March 4, 2026 · 天火 · tianmu.org
2. Book of Character
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Chapter 38The most Characterful is Characterless And thus has CharacterChapter 39In the beginning, the One conferred Character like so:Chapter 40Inversion is the movement of the Way Reduction is the exertion of the Way The world and all things are born into existence And existence is born into non-existenceChapter 41An excellent man learns of the Way And diligently walks itChapter 42The Way give birth to One One gives birth to Two Two gives birth to Three Three gives birth to all things All things carry Yin on their back and embrace Yang in their bosom Qi infuses them, bringing t...Chapter 43The softest in the world Gallops right through the hardest Non existence needs no entrance to enter Knowing this, I play no role, and am well off for it!Chapter 44Reputation, or self, which is dear? Self or belongings, when is too much? Gain or loss, which is maladious?Chapter 45Boundless perfection is incomplete Yet its use has no defect Boundless plentitude is empty Yet its use has no expiration Boundless uprightness bends Boundless ingenuity is inept Boundless eloquence is...Chapter 46When the world has the Way Horses are retired and used for manureChapter 47Without leaving through your door, you can know the world Without peering out your window, you can see the Way of HeavenChapter 48Emulate others and gain daily Follow the Way and lose dailyChapter 49The Sage has no unchanging heart He takes the peoples heart as hisChapter 50Exit life, enter death; The followers of life number three in ten The followers of death number three in ten Men whose life stirs towards Earthly end number three in tenChapter 51The Way births them Virtue raises them Matter forms them Energy perfects them So all things venerate the Way and cherish CharacterChapter 52All the world came into existence When first wrought by our MotherChapter 53My mission is to introduce the knowledgeable To walking the boundless Way Only sharing it with the meekChapter 54A good foundation cannot be uprooted A good embrace will not let it slip The heirs make oblation without ceaseChapter 55Those ripe with Character Are akin to a newbornChapter 56Know it wordlessly Speak it unknowinglyChapter 57Use orthodoxy to order a nation Use wonder to wield an army Do not interfere in worldly affairs, and attain the worldChapter 58If your governance is unconcerned Your people will be uncorrupted If your governance is precise Your people will break into piecesChapter 59In treating with Man and serving Heaven, there is nothing is like restraint;Chapter 60Ruling a great nation is like frying little fishChapter 61A great nation lives under the flow In the world it mixes The world its femaleChapter 62The Wayfarer sits in the most honoured place among the ten thousand thingsChapter 63Act without "acting" Engage without engaging Savour without savouring Venerate the small Esteem the inadequate Answer enmity with CharacterChapter 64The firm easily bear The early easily plan The brittle easily break The small are easily freedChapter 65The skilled Wayfarers of ancient days Did not use the Way to enlighten people But to humble themChapter 66The river and sea are able rulers of the one hundred valleys For they like to flow down them They're able to rule themChapter 67All the world says my Way is boundless It seems to have no likenessChapter 68A skilled soldier is not violent A good warrior is dispassionate A true victor does not instigate A worthy leader acts with humilityChapter 69A great general has a saying:Chapter 70I share such simple teachings And tell of such easy practicesChapter 71To know without knowledge is the highest attainment To not know even with knowledge is an illnessChapter 72If the people do not terrify their masters Their masters will have complete dominion!Chapter 73Courage with boldness is the rule of death Courage with prudence is the rule of life One of these is useful, one is dangerous...Chapter 74If the people do not fear death What use is scaring them with it?Chapter 75The people starve For their rulers keep dining on their taxes Leaving them famishedChapter 76A living man is soft and delicate! But in death, is hard and unbendable!Chapter 77Is the Way of Heaven not like drawing a bow? The lofty are torn down The lowly are lifted up The wealthy diminished The empty handed aidedChapter 78There is nothing in the World as soft and flexible as water It attacks the hardest and the strongest things, and they cannot bear it! Nothing can take its placeChapter 79Where harmony exceeds enmity Surely, some enmity still remains; Is this proper?Chapter 80A small nation with few people:Chapter 81True words are not pleasing Pleasant words are not true Good ones do not quibble Quarrelsome ones are not good Wise ones are not accessible Accessible ones are not wise