Lao Tzu ⋅ Tao Te Ching

© Elizabeth Becker 'Interlude No. 2'

Let yourself be broken
and you will be whole.
Let yourself be crooked
and you will be straight.
Let yourself be empty
and you will be full.
Let yourself grow old
and you will be renewed.
Give up everything
and you will be given everything.

The Sage embraces the Tao and
sets an example for the world to follow.
Because she isn't self-centered,
people can see the light in her.

Because she is not boastful
she becomes a shining example.
Because she has nothing to prove,
people can trust her words.

Because she does not define who she is,
people can recognize themselves in her.
Because she does not compete with anyone,
no one competes with her.

Only in being lived by the Tao
can you truly be yourself.

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