nobody

The man in whom Tao acts without impediment harms no other being by his actions, yet he does not know himself to be "kind," to be "gentle."

~

The man in whom Tao acts without impediment does not bother with his own interests and does not despise others who do.

~~

He does not struggle to make money and does not make a virtue of poverty.

~~~

He gets his way without relying on others and does not pride himselfe on walking alone.

~

While he does not follow the crow, he won't complain of those who do.

~~

Rank and reward make no appeal to him; disgrace and shame do not deter him.

~~~

He is not always looking for right and wrong, always deciding "yes" or "no."

~

The ancients said, therefore, "The Man of Tao remains unknown. Perfect virtue produces nothing. 'No-self is true self. And the greatest man is nobody."

*************

(from The Way of Chuang Tzu, by Thomas Merton)