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1. That which is at rest is easily kept hold of; before a thing has given indications of
its presence, it is easy to take measures against it; that which is brittle is easily broken;
that which is very small is easily dispersed. Action should be taken before a thing has
made its appearance; order should be secured before disorder has begun.
2. The tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout; the tower of nine storeys
rose from a (small) heap of earth; the journey of a thousand li commenced with a single
step.
3. He who acts (with an ulterior purpose) does harm; he who takes hold of a thing (in the
same way) loses his hold. The sage does not act (so), and therefore does no harm; he does
not lay hold (so), and therefore does not lose his bold. (But) people in their conduct of
affairs are constantly ruining them when they are on the eve of success. If they were careful
at the end, as (they should be) at the beginning, they would not so ruin them.
4. Therefore the sage desires what (other men) do not desire, and does not prize things
difficult to get; he learns what (other men) do not learn, and turns back to what the multitude
of men have passed by. Thus he helps the natural development of all things, and does not
dare to act (with an ulterior purpose of his own).
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