There are three places in the Tao Te Ching for you to choose from. )
Chapter 9 of the original text
It is better to persist than to have it; If you are sharp, you can't keep it for long. Happy from now on, can't keep it; Being rich and arrogant is to blame. When retiring, heaven is also.
It is better to stop at the right time when the translation is full; It's hard to stay sharp for a long time when you show your edge. Since then, I have been happy and can't stay in Tibet; If wealth reaches the level of arrogance, it is your own curse. If a thing is done successfully, it is necessary to exercise restraint, which is in line with the laws of nature.
Chapter 9 Introduction This chapter is to promote the concept of moderation and appropriateness. Exploring the origin of the universe is a huge project, and a person may not achieve anything in his life. Therefore, if he wants to achieve something, he must stop and do everything just right. It is difficult to explore the origin of the universe because there are too many "numbers", which belong to the research scope of large numbers and prime numbers. "Success" means entering the unconventional category, and "retreat" means returning to the normal category from the unconventional category. In addition, Lao Tzu believes that it is equally applicable to extend the concept of the golden mean to the scope of social life.
The original chapter seventy-three
Dare to kill and dare to live. Both are beneficial or harmful. What is evil in heaven and who knows why? It's hard to be a saint. Heaven is to win, be good at coping, come uninvited and be good at planning. Mills of God grind slowly but sure.
If you are brave enough to be strong, you will die; if you are brave enough to be weak, you will live. As a result of these two kinds of courage, some will benefit and some will suffer. God hates it. Who knows why? Wise saints are hard to explain. The law of nature is: win without fighting; Good at promises that are broken by words; Come automatically without calling, calm and good at planning. The scope of nature is boundless, although it is wide and sparse, it does not leak.
The original chapter seventy-seven
Heaven or bow? The highest person suppresses it, the lower person raises it, the surplus person damages it, and the insufficient person makes up for it. Heaven, the damage is more than enough, but the strength is insufficient; People's way is different: the loss is not enough to give. Who can serve the world? Only Tao. It is a saint who doesn't rely on it, doesn't succeed, and doesn't want to see a sage.
Isn't the law of nature a lot like shooting an arrow with a bow? If the rope is pulled high, lower it; If it is low, raise it a little; If it is too full, just relax; If it is not enough, add it. The law of nature is to reduce excess supply and shortage. However, the law of society is not like this. We should reduce the shortage and dedicate it to those who have more. So, who can reduce the surplus to supply the shortage of the world? Only those who have the means can do it. Therefore, a wise man can do something without possession, and he can achieve something without taking credit. He is unwilling to show his talent.