Inspiration, wisdom from the masters

Success is as dangerous as failure.

Hope is as hollow as fear.

What does it mean that success is as dangerous as failure?

Whether you go up a ladder or down it,

your position is shaky.

When you stand with your two feet on the ground,

You will always keep your balance.

What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear?

Hope and fear are both phantoms

that arise from thinking of the self.

When we don't see the self as self,

what do we have to fear?

See the world as yourself.

Have faith in the way things are.

Love the world as your self;

then you can care for all things.

- Tao Te Ching, Chapter 13 (translation by Stephen Mitchell)