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All under heaven say my Dao is great, |
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yet it seems unremarkable. |
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Precisely because it is great, |
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therefore it seems unremarkable. |
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Had it appeared so, it would have been long ago. |
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How subtle it is! |
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I have three treasures; |
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hold them and preserve them. |
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One is compassion, |
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two is frugality, |
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three is not daring to be first under heaven. |
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Because of compassion, one can be brave; |
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Because of frugality, one can be expansive; |
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not daring to be first under heaven, |
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therefore one can become a lasting vessel. |
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Now abandon compassion for bravery; |
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abandon frugality for expansiveness; |
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abandon staying behind for being first; |
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Death! |
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Compassion used in war brings victory, |
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used in defense brings security. |
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Heaven will rescue them, |
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guarding them with compassion. |