Wu Tao: Cultural Awakening

King Wen asked Tai Gong:"How should a sage govern the world?" Tai Gong replied:"A sage governs by neither excessive worry nor forced restraint. All things under heaven naturally find their place; without interference, they flourish and multiply. Decrees are carried out so subtly that the people are transformed unknowingly, just as time passes without notice. By adhering to this principle, the sage nurtures imperceptible change, creating an endless cycle of harmony. This effortless governance—calm, unforced, and rooted in natural order—must be deeply contemplated by the ruler. Once understood, it must be internalized; once internalized, it must be enacted; once enacted, its mysteries need not be proclaimed. "Heaven and earth declare no laws, yet all things grow by their rhythms. The sage flaunts no brilliance, yet achieves glorious deeds. "In ancient times, sages gathered individuals into families, families into states, and states into the realm. They enfeoffed the worthy as lords, establishing the foundation of governance. Through propagating virtue and aligning......