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failure have also the happiness of attaining （to the Tao）。 （But） when there
is not faith sufficient （on his part）； a want of faith （in him） ensues （on the
part of the others）。
24。 He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm； he who
stretches his legs does not walk （easily）。 （So）； he who displays himself
does not shine； he who asserts his own views is not distinguished； he who
vaunts himself does not find his merit acknowledged； he who is self…
conceited has no superiority allowed to him。 Such conditions； viewed
from the standpoint of the Tao； are like remnants of food； or a tumour on
the body； which all dislike。 Hence those who pursue （the course） of the
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Tao do not adopt and allow them。
25。 1。 There was something undefined and complete； coming into
existence before Heaven and Earth。 How still it was and formless；
standing alone； and undergoing no change； reaching everywhere and in no
danger （of being exhausted）！ It may be regarded as the Mother of all
things。
2。 I do not know its name； and I give it the designation of the Tao （the
Way or Course）。 Making an effort （further） to give it a name I call it The
Great。
3。 Great； it passes on （in constant flow）。 Passing on； it becomes
remote。 Having become remote； it returns。 Therefore the Tao is great；
Heaven is great； Earth is great； and the （sage） king is also great。 In the
universe there are four that are great； and the （sage） king is one of them。
4。 Man takes his law from the Earth； the Earth takes its law from
Heaven； Heaven takes its law from the Tao。 The law of the Tao is its
being what it is。
26。 1。 Gravity is the root of lightness； stillness； the ruler of
movement。
2。 Therefore a wise prince； marching the whole day； does not go far
from his baggage waggons。 Although he may have brilliant prospects to
look at； he quietly remains （in his proper place）； indifferent to them。
How should the lord of a myriad chariots carry himself lightly before the
kingdom？ If he do act lightly； he has lost his root （of gravity）； if he
proceed to active movement； he will lose his throne。
27。 1。 The skilful traveller leaves no traces of his wheels or footsteps；
the skilful speaker says nothing that can be found fault with or blamed； the
skilful reckoner uses no tallies； the skilful closer needs no bolts or bars；
while to open what he has shut will be impossible； the skilful binder uses
no strings or knots； while to unloose what he has bound will be impossible。
In the same way the sage is always skilful at saving men； and so he does
not cast away any man； he is always skilful at saving things； and so he
does not cast away anything。 This is called 'Hiding the light of his
procedure。'
2。 Therefore the man of skill is a master （to be looked up to） by him
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who has not the skill； and he who has not the skill is the helper of （the
reputation of） him who has the skill。 If the one did not honour his master；
and the other did not rejoice in his helper； an （observer）； though intelligent；
might greatly err about them。 This is called 'The utmost degree of
mystery。'
28。 1。 Who knows his manhood's strength； Yet still his female
feebleness maintains； As to one channel flow the many drains； All
come to him； yea； all beneath the sky。 Thus he the constant excellence
retains； The simple child again； free from all stains。
Who knows how white attracts； Yet always keeps himself
within black's shade； The pattern of humility displayed； Displayed
in view of all beneath the sky； He in the unchanging excellence
arrayed； Endless return to man's first state has made。
Who knows how glory shines； Yet loves disgrace； nor e'er for
it is pale； Behold his presence in a spacious vale； To which men
come from all beneath the sky。 The unchanging excellence completes
its tale； The simple infant man in him we hail。
2。 The unwrought material； when divided and distributed； forms
vessels。 The sage； when employed； becomes the Head of all the Officers
（of government）； and in his greatest regulations he employs no violent
measures。
29。 1。 If any one should wish to get the kingdom for himself； and to
effect this by what he does； I see that he will not succeed。 The kingdom
is a spirit…like thing； and cannot be got by active doing。 He who would
so win it destroys it； he who would hold it in his grasp loses it。
2。 The course and nature of things is such that What was in front is
now behind； What warmed anon we freezing find。 Strength is of
weakness oft the spoil； The store in ruins mocks our toil。
Hence the sage puts away excessive effort； extravagance； and easy
indulgence。
30。 1。 He who would assist a lord of men in harmony with the Tao
will not assert his mastery in the kingdom by force of arms。 Such a
course is sure to meet with its proper return。
2。 Wherever a host is stationed； briars and thorns spring up。 In the
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sequence of great armies there are sure to be bad years。
3。 A skilful （commander） strikes a decisive blow； and stops。 He does
not dare （by continuing his operations） to assert and complete his mastery。
He will strike the blow； but will be on his guard against being vain or
boastful or arrogant in consequence of it。 He strikes it as a matter of
necessity； he strikes it； but not from a wish for mastery。
4。 When things have attained their strong maturity they become old。
This may be said to be not in accordance with the Tao： and what is not in
accordance with it soon comes to an end。