58 其政悶悶 其民醇醇

老子道德經第五十八章

其政悶悶　其民醇醇
其政察察　其民缺缺
禍兮福之所倚
福兮禍之所伏
孰知其極　其無正
正復為奇　善復為妖
人之迷　其日固久
是以聖人　方而不割
　　　　　廉而不劌
　　　　　直而不肆
　　　　　光而不耀

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FIFTY-EIGHT (Feng)

When the country is ruled with a light hand
The people are simple.
When the country is ruled with severity,
The people are cunning.

Happiness is rooted in misery.
Misery lurks beneath happiness.
Who knows what the future holds?
There is no honesty.
Honesty becomes dishonest.
Goodness becomes witchcraft.
Man's bewitchment lasts for a long time.

Therefore the sage is sharp but not cutting,
Pointed but not piercing,
Straightforward but not unrestrained,
Brilliant but not blinding.

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58 (ah-san)

If you are easygoing, then your life will be simple.
If you are serious, then you will always encounter trickery.

I remember Gibran's words on Joy and Sorrow:

"When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

"Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed."

Nobody knows how things can change.
Something normal can become crazy;
Someone good can become evil;
No one can ever tell.

Again, Lao Tsu's advice:
Be strict but not interfering;
Be square but not hurting;
Be bold but not reckless.
Be brilliant but not blinding;