Lao-Tzu #49: Those who are good she treats as good. Those who aren’t good she also treats as good. This is how she attains true goodness.

49

 

The Master has no mind of her own.

She understands the mind of the people.

 

Those who are good she treats as good.

Those who aren’t good she also treats as good.

This is how she attains true goodness.

 

She trusts people who are trustworthy.

She also trusts people who aren’t trustworthy.

This is how she gains true trust.

 

The Master’s mind is shut off from the world.

Only for the sake of the people does she muddle her mind.

They look to her in anticipation.

Yet she treats them all as her children.

***

Tao Te Ching

By Lao-Tzu

A translation for the public domain by j.h.mcdonald, 1996

www.wright-house.com/religions/taoism/tao-te-ching.html

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Aesop: The Two Pots

Two Pots had been left on the bank of a river, one of brass, and one of earthenware. When the tide rose they both floated off down the stream. Now the earthenware pot tried its best to keep aloof from the brass one, which cried out: ‘Fear nothing, friend, I will not strike you.’

‘But I may come in contact with you,’ said the other, ‘if I come too close; and whether I hit you, or you hit me, I shall suffer for it.’

The strong and the weak cannot keep company.

***