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天长地久。
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Heaven and Earth endure endlessly. |
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天地所以能长且久者，
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Why do they endure for so long? |
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以其不自生，
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They do not live for themselves, |
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故能长久。
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Hence, they can last forever. |
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是以圣人後其身而身先，
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The sage places themselves last and thus comes first, |
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外其身而身存。
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Detaches themselves and thus is preserved. |
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非以其无私邪？
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Is it not because they are selfless? |
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故能成其私。
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Therefore, they achieve true fulfillment. |