I chose #14 and then James joined me for #55 and Blossom came up #3.
#3 "Inspiring Strong People"
Praising the status one can achieve
Will chastise those who don’t achieve it.
Praising a possession that can be owned
Will condemn those who don’t own it.
When nothing arouses competition
People will be at peace.
The Master leads by not defining status or possession.
She weakens the ambition of those around her
Which toughens their resolve to be as they are.
By individuals releasing their ambition,
Everything falls into place.
#15 Ancient Tao
The Ancient Masters’ ability to comprehend the mystery
Was so profound and subtle that they were misunderstood.
One could only describe how they must have appeared.
Careful as someone hearing the ice crack midway through crossing a lake;
Observant as someone surrounded by toxic threats;
Courteous as a guest in awe of her host;
Unpretentious as a felled branch in a wood;
Vacant as someone staring into space;
Dull as a man with nothing to boast about.
Can you be still, adding nothing until the mud settles
And it gives you the opportunity to see clearly?
Can you be still until, on its own accord,
The next action presents itself to you?
The Master has no need for herself.
She doesn’t seek or expect attention.
Not needing to appease herself
She has no requests.
#55 "Inner Strength and Harmony"
One who has inner strength is like a baby boy,
Unspoiled, flexible, and empty with no judgment.
Bees, wild beasts, birds of prey cannot harm him.
With no knowledge of the world
His penis can stand erect,
He has no shame or questions of why.
Caught in manifestation, the myriad scream for a time, he hardly notices.
His harmony is so aligned he can scream forever without getting horse.
He is powered by his harmony, and thus all fear is kept at bay.
The Master never speaks of possessing anything, life is the blessing.
Those who pursue power and excitement find themselves confused,
They allow their emotions to guide them, and they become exhausted.
It is not from Tao, and whatever is not from Tao arrives dead.