"The tortoise-and-serpent and the falcon banners fly about." probably some specific connotations here

"There are no black heads among the people;" people's hair white from bad times?

"You have your counsels; you employ caution;But the disorder grows and dismemberments ensue.

I tell you the subjects for anxiety;
I instruct you how to distinguish the orders of men.
Who can hold anything hot?
Must he not dip it [first] in water?
How can you [by your method] bring a good state of things about?
You [and your advisers] will sink together in ruin." 

odd flow of ideas

"Here is a wise man; -His views and words reach to a hundred li,
There is a stupid man; -
He on the contrary rejoices in his madness.
It is not that I could not speak [all this]; -
How is it I was withheld by my fear?" ?

"Is owing to those hypocrites, skilful to prevaricate.They work out the injury of the people,
As if their efforts were not equal to it." ?