Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
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To govern a state well, one must eradicate ministerial cliques. If cliques are not eliminated, they will gather followers. To manage land rewards properly, one must moderate grants. Without moderation, trouble‑makers will seek endless gains.
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If a ruler is not unfathomable, subordinates will find opportunities to exploit him. When their deeds are improper, the ruler judges them by constant laws.
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The way of listening to ministers’ words is to take what they outwardly state and use it to examine their inward deeds. Therefore, verify titles to define official positions, and clarify duties to classify affairs.
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The Dao is vast and formless; virtue follows inherent principles and permeates all things. All living beings draw upon it selectively. All things flourish, yet the Dao does not disturb their natural peace.
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The way of maintaining unity takes naming as the foremost principle. When names are upright, things are settled; when names are biased, things shift.
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Heaven has its eternal laws, and human beings have their essential nature. Fragrant, delicate and crisp delicacies, rich wine and fatty meat please the palate yet harm the body. Soft‑skinned and white‑toothed beauties delight emotions yet drain vitality. Therefore, abandon excess and extravagance, and the self shall suffer no harm.