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Daoism -> Zhuangzi -> Outer Chapters -> Letting Be, and Exercising Forbearance -> 6.1

Mean, and yet demanding to be allowed their free course
- such are Things.
Low, and yet requiring to be relied on
- such are the People.
Hidden (as to their issues), and yet requiring to be done
- such are Affairs.
Coarse, and yet necessary to be set forth
- such are Laws.
Remote, and yet necessary to have dwelling (in one's self)
- such is Righteousness.
Near, and yet necessary to be widely extended
- such is Benevolence.
Restrictive, and yet necessary to be multiplied
- such are Ceremonies.
Lodged in the centre, and yet requiring to be exalted
- such is Virtue.
Always One, and yet requiring to be modified
- such is the Dao.
Spiritlike, and yet requiring to be exercised
- such is Heaven.
聖人Therefore the sages contemplated Heaven, but did not assist It.
They tried to perfect their virtue, but did not allow it to embarrass them.
They proceeded according to the Dao, but did not lay any plans.
They associated benevolence (with all their doings), but did not rely on it.
They pursued righteousness extensively, but did not try to accumulate it.
They responded to ceremonies, but did not conceal (their opinion as to the troublesomeness of them).
They engaged in affairs as they occurred, and did not decline them.
They strove to render their laws uniform, but (feared that confusion) might arise from them.
They relied upon the people, and did not set light by them.
They depended on things as their instruments, and did not discard them.
They did not think things equal to what they employed them for,
but yet they did not see that they could do without employing them.
Those who do not understand Heaven
are not pure in their virtue.
Those who do not comprehend the Dao
have no course which they can pursue successfully.
Alas for them who do not clearly understand the Dao!


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