65 古之善為道者

老子道德經第六十五章

古之善為道者
非以明民　將以愚之
民之難治　以其智多
故以智治國　國之賊
不以智治國　國之福
知此兩者亦稽式
常知稽式　是謂玄德
玄德深矣遠矣　與物反矣
然後乃至大順

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SIXTY-FIVE

In the beginning those who knew the Tao did not try to enlighten others,
But kept them in the dark.
Why is it so hard to rule?
Because people are so clever.
Rulers who try to use cleverness
Cheat the country.
Those who rule without cleverness
Are a blessing to the land.
These are the two alternatives.
Understanding these is Primal Virtue.
Primal Virtue is deep and far.
It leads all things back
Toward the great oneness.

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65.

I have seen the Ultimate and I want to reach It.
Knowing the Ultimate is not a matter of the mind:
--it is a matter of the heart.
Sometimes I find it difficult to return to the Ultimate,
Because I tend to think too much.

Therefore, when reason obstructs our way,
Abandon it, and let passion burn open a new path.

Understand the nature of reason and passion,
And use them wisely,
We shall find our way back to Ourselves.
In Ourselves and in Nature,
we ultimately reach the ultimate Ultimate.

(I feel ashamed that I almost abandoned Tao. It contains so much Truth, but I won't see it unless I keep quiet and open--when I am in Tao.)