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Dao De Jing

1Who thinks his great achievements poor Shall find his vigour long endure. Of greatest fulness, deemed a void, Exhaustion ne'er shall stem the tide. Do thou what's straight still crooked deem; Thy greatest art still stupid seem, And eloquence a stammering scream.

2Constant action overcomes cold; being still overcomes heat. Purity and stillness give the correct law to all under heaven.

Edition source ↗ · Historical translation; Gutenberg US public-domain record. Digital source printing unidentified.
James Legge · Gutenberg 216
An original-language partner is not yet available for this edition.