Tao Te Ching Chapter 13

Translation by John H. McDonald

Success is as dangerous as failure,

and we are often our own worst enemy.

What does it mean that success is as dangerous as failure?

He who is superior is also someone’s subordinate.

Receiving favor and losing it both cause alarm.

That is what is meant by success is as dangerous as failure.

What does it mean that we are often our own worst enemy?

The reason I have an enemy is because I have a “self”.

If I no longer had a “self”, I would no longer have an enemy.

Love the whole world as if it were your self;

then you will truly care for all things.

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Reference: Tao Te Ching