Improving the universe

[Guest guest]

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Do you think you can take over the universe and

improve it? I do not believe it can be done.

 

The universe is sacred. You cannot improve it.

If you try to change it, you will ruin it.

If you try to hold it, you will lose it.

 

So sometimes things are ahead and sometimes

they are behind;

Sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes

easily;

Sometimes there is strength and sometimes weak-

ness;

Sometimes one is up and sometimes down.

 

Therefore the sage avoids extremes, excesses, and

complacency.

 

- Lao-tzu

 

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Tao Te Ching

Translation by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English

Vintage Books Edition, September 1972