Today was nice although I am going through a breakup with Andee, which I both initiated and am very much hurt by. I spoke with Nancy, Frankie J, and Julie about my translations of #2 #11, and #46 respectively.
#2 Identifying the Manifestation
Opposites exist amongst the particular.
Identifying the beautiful creates the ugly.
Identifying good creates evil.
Identifying the particular separates all manifestations:
Reality and fantasy are opposing thoughts.
Difficult and easy are opposing degrees.
Long and short are opposing perceptions of time or space.
Because of this, the Master doesn’t rely on words.
She teaches by being without explanation,
In this way, she is the most helpful.
She inspires all things to be, without rejecting them.
She gives them life but refuses to possess them.
Her actions spring forth from perfection,
They are not hers to own
Thus they will never be forgotten.
#11 "Emptiness is Valuable"
Spokes, tire, rim, and hub all make a wheel,
Yet it is the space where the axel goes that makes it worthwhile.
Clay is formed into a vessel,
A vessel’s function is to hold things,
Thus its form includes emptiness.
A house can be built
But if it were solid, it would be useless.
It is easy to see structure,
But structure is there to expose the value of emptiness.
#46 "Knowing when to Stop"
When Tao is followed shelter, food, and water are prioritized.
Going counter to Tao war, excess, and hoarding are praised.
He who believes there isn’t enough is cursed to never have enough.
He who believes he must acquire will acquire nothing that lasts.
There is no greater waste of time or energy than being discontent.
Therefore the Master knows what is enough and is content to stop there.
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