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The person who acts from above does not have access to the action of their soul.
The action of the soul is positive.
The action of the soul emerges from below.*
The action of the soul does not abandon.
The action of the soul is positive because of its emptiness.
The action of the soul is supreme.
The action of the soul is not doing (wu wei) and uses not doing.
The action of the soul comes from below and emerges because of its actions.
Humanity acts from above and this action is the opposite of not doing.
Righteousness from above emerges because of these actions.
Then rules of behavior come from above and no one responds.
Those who act from above seize the arms of the people and apply force.
When you are separated from the Tao, you are separated from the action of your soul.
Next you abandon humanity.
When you abandon humanity, you lose your heart.
Rules of behavior follow the loss of your heart.
Truly, rules of behavior that are faithfully and loyally followed are superficial and the first sign of discord.
Know the Tao's splendor.
Folly is the place to begin to know it.
This is the reason for its greatness.
The revered master dwells in the substance and does not stay with its husk.
Stop to make it solid.
Do not inhabit that which is embellished with ornaments.
Your purpose is to discard the latter and take hold of the former.
*You must be below to receive the the gifts of others as the ocean is below the rivers to receive the gifts of the rivers. |
