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<title>12 - Chapters 77 - 81</title>
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77.

Lao Tzu said using Tao 
was like pulling on a bowstring:
The top bends down, 
the bottom bends up,
and all the energy 
is focused in the middle.

Tao takes energy from where it is,
and sends it where it needs to be.
But most people take from those 
who don't have enough,
so those who have too much already 
can have more.

So who in this world 
is truly generous to others?
People who are in touch with Tao.
They do their work 
without taking credit.
They get the job done and move on.
They aren't interested in showing off.


78.

Nothing is softer 
or more yielding 
than water.
Yet, given time, 
it can erode even the hardest stone.
That's how the weak 
can defeat the strong, 
and the supple 
can win out over the stiff.

Everybody knows it.
So why don't we apply it to our own lives?

Lao Tzu used to say:
"Take on people's problems, 
and you can be their leader.
Deal with the world's problems, 
and you'll be a Master."

Sometimes the truth makes no sense.


79.

Sometimes, 
when an argument is settled,
feelings of resentment still remain 
on either side.
What's the point of carrying a grudge?

The Masters care 
about what they owe other people,
not what other people owe them.

People who are in touch with Tao 
do their duty.
People who aren't 
try to force others into submission.

Tao doesn't play favorites.
But if you do right by Tao,
Tao will do right by you.


80.

Lao Tzu had a dream
about a small country 
with very few people.

They didn't need machines 
to get their work done faster.
They took their lives seriously, 
and stayed close to home.

They may have owned 
boats and carriages,
but they never went anywhere.
They may have owned weapons,
but they kept those weapons 
locked up, securely hidden.
They had so few responsibilities,
they never had to make a To-Do list
to remember what had to be done.

They enjoyed simple foods, 
dressed plainly,
lived comfortably, 
and kept their traditions alive.

And even though 
their neighbors were so close
they could hear
the dogs barking at night,
they had no interest 
in leaving their homes,
where they grew old peacefully 
and died.


81.

The truth isn't flashy.
Flashy words aren't true.

Educated people 
aren't always smart.
Smart people 
don't always have an education.

Good people don't argue.
People who argue aren't good.

The Masters don't hang on to things.
They're always doing something 
for other people,
so they always have more to give.
They give away 
whatever they have,
so what they have is worth more.

If you want to get right with Tao,
help other people, don't hurt them.
The Masters always work with people, 
never against them.

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