Treatise on Lao Tzu III


97

He who obtains has little
He who scatters has much
So be like water, go everywhere
Experience everything, experiment

That is the quickest way to learning
She who loves the world
Finds easiest the world inside herself
The sage does not hoard, for there

Is no such thing as real hoarding
The more he helps others
The more he benefits himself
the more she gives to others

The more she gets herself
The career of the sage is personal
Yet the rewards are always impersonal
Nothing is softer or more flexible

As water, so be as water
Nothing will then be able to resist you
Agree to lose yourself, that you may
Be transformed into something else

When virtue is lost, compassion appears
When suffering is endured with a smile
Order begins to stir in the system
For all systems are the same, like water.

Treatise on Lao-Tzu


47

Health is the possession of nature
Contentment being a confidence in non-being
For all that can live without form
Is the greatest joy of self-evident spirit!

Being deeply loved by someone
Gives you strength, while loving someone
Deeply gives you courage, therefore
Be it said that you loved with all your kindness!

Possessing fully your inner-nature
Finding peace in all that is transient
Your kindness in words creates confidence
Your kindness in thoughts creates profoundness

Your kindness in cherishing creates love in others
Be it said that you were the silent source
Of strength for others, fully and simply yourself
Without any need to compete or compare

Worthy of the respect of all others
A simple person, a patient man, a compassionate woman.