... an excerpt from the "Tao Te Ching", as featured in Benjamin Hoff's "the Te of Piglet". This particular teaching cautions against the furious rush and hurry that has become the Lives of so many all over the World:
High winds do not blow all morning;
Heavy rain does not fall all day.
Are these not made by heaven and earth?
If the power of heaven and earth
Cannot make violent activity last,
How can you?
. . .
Standing on tiptoe, one is unsteady.
Taking long steps, one quickly tires.
Showing off, one shows unenlightenment.
Displaying self-righteousness, one reveals vanity.
Praising the self, one earns no respect.
Exaggerating achievements, one cannot long endure.
Followers of the Way consider these
Extra food, unnecessary baggage.
They bring no happiness.
Therefore, followers of the Way
Avoid them.
. . .
Do not conquer the world with force,
For force only causes resistance.
Thorns spring up when an army passes.
Years of misery follow a great victory.
Do only what needs to be done,
Without using violence.
. . .
It is not wise to dash about.
Shortening the breath causes stress.
Use too much energy, and
You will soon be exhausted.
That is not the Natural Way.
Whatever works against Tao
Will not last long.
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