Tao Te Ching
Stephen Mitchell, trans.
53The great Way is easy,
yet
people prefer the side paths.
Be aware when
things are out of balance.
Stay centered in the
Tao.
When rich speculators prosper
while
farmers lose their land;
when government officials
spend money
on weapons instead of
cures;
when the upper class is extravagant and
irresponsible
while the poor have nowhere to turn -
all this is robbery and chaos.
It is not in
keeping with the Tao.
54Whoever is planted in the
Tao
will not be rooted up.
Whoever embraces
the Tao
will not slip away.
Her name will be
held in honor
from generation to
generation.
Let the Tao be present in your
life
and you will become genuine.
Let it be
present in your family
and your family will
flourish.
Let it be present in your country
and
your country will be an example
to all the countries
of the world.
Let it be present in the
Universe
and the Universe will sing.
How
do I know this is true?
By looking inside
myself.
62The Tao is the center of the
universe,
the good man's treasure,
the bad
man's refuge.
Honors can be bought with fine
words,
respect can be won with good
deeds;
but the Tao is beyond all value,
and no
one can achieve it.
Thus, when a new leader
is chosen,
don't offer to help him
with your
wealth or expertise.
Offer instead
to teach him
about the Tao.
Why did the ancient Masters
esteem the Tao?
Because, being one with the
Tao,
when you seek, you find;
and when you
make a mistake, you are forgiven.
That is why
everybody loves it.
