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为无为，
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Act without striving, |
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事无事，
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work without effort, |
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味无味。
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and savor the bland. |
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大小多少，
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Regard the small as significant, |
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报怨以德。
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and repay harm with virtue. |
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图难于其易，
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Tackle the difficult while it is easy; |
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为大于其细。
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accomplish the great through the small. |
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天下难事，
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The toughest tasks in the world |
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必作于易，
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start easy; |
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天下大事，
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the grandest achievements |
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必作于细。
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begin small. |
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是以圣人终不为大，
|
The sage avoids grand ambitions, |
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故能成其大。
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and thus accomplishes greatness. |
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夫轻诺必寡信，
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Easy promises lead to little trust; |
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多易必多难。
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taking things lightly leads to great trouble. |
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是以圣人犹难之，
|
Therefore, the sage treats things seriously, |
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故终无难矣。
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and meets no difficulties. |