Enduring Vessel

Translation by Tree Buffalo

enduring vessel
Photo by Ray Hennessy

All the world calls my nature very large, as if it were unresembled.

But it is only large because it is unresembled.

Indeed, had it resembled (something), it would have long since vanished!

Thusly, I have three treasures which I hold and protect.

The first is called compassion.

The second is called moderation.

And the third is called not-daring-to-put-myself-in-front-of-the-world.

Compassion has the power to be courageous.

Moderation has the power to be generous.

And not-daring-to-put-myself-in-front-of-the-world has the power to make an enduring vessel.

These days courage without compassion, generosity without moderation, and putting yourself in front without being behind, is certain death.

This is why those with compassion in the attack will be victorious, and in the defense will be firm.

The world comes to their rescue and, with compassion, protects them.


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Read some of the first English translations of Chapter 67 here.

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