This poem is a translation of Tao Te Ching, Chapter 17, written by Lao Tse three thousand years ago. There are 27 known different translations of this, because the meanings from that long ago are very fluid. This version has been used, as far as I know, as inspiration for community workers since the nineteen fifties. We are looking to translate it into as many languages as possible, so if you can translate it into a language not yet indicated on this page, please let us know. Phil
Vá ás pessoas, viva entre eles, aprenda com elas, começe de onde elas, trabalhe com elas, construa sobre o que elas já desenvolveram. Porque sobre os grandes líderes, quando a meta estiver alcançada, e a tarefa cumprida, todos dirão: «Nós mesmos realizamos isto».
Lao Tsu traduzido por Edna Rodrigues