Bit by Bit - Chapter 13, Part 18

Trey Smith

Shih Ch'eng-ch'i backed respectfully away so that he would not tread on Lao Tzu's shadow, and then advanced once more in humble manner and asked how he should go about cultivating his person.

Lao Tzu said, "Your face is grim, your eyes are fierce, your forehead is broad, your mouth gaping, your manner overbearing, like a horse held back by a tether, watching for a chance to bolt, bounding off as though shot from a crossbow. Scrutinizing ever so carefully, crafty in wisdom, parading your arrogance - all this invites mistrust. Up in the borderlands a man like you would be taken for a thief!"
~ Burton Watson translation ~

Smiling doesn't receive the credit I think it's due. Regardless of the situation, a smile can brighten a room. And I don't mean a fake plastic smile either.

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