matching the sublimity of heaven

I know I've blipped these before - but here are a few verses from the Tao Te Ching, a classical collection of wise sayings from the fourth century B.C., which is attributed to a contemporary of Confucius called, Lao Tzu.

The pictured copy is a 1987 reprint of the original 1963 translation by D.C.Lau ... I bought this in London in July 1988, and must have read and re-read it literally hundreds of times.

The collection espouses a philosophy of meekness as the surest path to survival - much of it clearly completely forgotten in today's modern, political world ...

... thought these lines somewhat appropriate for today:


Tao Te Ching

68 

One who excels as a warrior does not appear formidable;
One who excels in fighting is never roused in anger;
One who excels in defeating his enemy does not join issue;
One who excels in employing others humbles himself before them.

This is known as the virtue of non-contention;
This is known as making use of the efforts of others;
This is known as matching the sublimity of heaven.

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