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A realm is governed by ordinary acts,
A battle is governed by extraordinary acts;
The world is governed by no acts at all.
How do I know?
This is how I know.
Act after act prohibits
Everything but poverty,
Weapon after weapon conquers
Everything but chaos,
Business after business provides
A craze of waste,
Law after law breeds
A multitude of thieves.
Therefore a sensible man says:
If I keep from meddling with people, they take care of
                   themselves,
If I keep from commanding people, they behave
                  themselves,
If I keep from preaching at people, they improve
                  themselves,
If I keep from imposing on people, they become
                  themselves.

  The Way of Life According to Lao Tzu
  Translated by Witter Bynner