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ed and despised。
Therefore when faith is insufficient and there is disbelief；
it is from the high value placed on words。 Works are accomplished； tasks are completed； and ordinary folk all say they are acting spontaneously。
18
When the Great Way is deserted； then there is humanitarian duty。
When intelligence comes forth； there is great fabrication。
When relations are discordant； there is family love。
When the national polity is benighted and confused； then there are loyal ministers。
19
Eliminate sagacity； abandon knowledge； and the people will benefit a hundredfold。
Eliminate humanitarianism； abandon duty； and the people return to familial love。
Eliminate craft； abandon profit； and theft will no longer exist。
These three become insufficient when used for embellishment causing there to be attachments。
See the basic； embrace the unspoiled； lessen selfishness； diminish desire。
20
Detach from learning and you have no worries。 How far apart are yes and yeah？ How far apart are good and bad？
The things people fear cannot but be feared。 Wild indeed the uncentered！
Most people celebrate as if they were barbecuing a slaughtered cow； or taking in the springtime vistas； I alone am aloof； showing no sign； like an infant that doesn't yet smile； riding buoyantly as if with nowhere to go。
Most people have too much； I alone seem to be missing something。 Mine is indeed the mind of an ignoramus in its unadulterated simplicity。
Ordinary people try to shine； I alone seem to be dark。 Ordinary people try to be on the alert； I alone am unobtrusive； calm as the ocean depths； buoyant as if anchored nowhere。
Most people have ways and means； I alone am unsophisticated and simple。 I alone am different from people in that I value seeking food from the mother。
21
For the countenance of great virtue； only the Way is to be followed。
As a thing； the Way is abstract and elusive； elusive and abstract； there are images in it； abstract and elusive； there is something there。 Recondite； hidden； it has vitality therein： that vitality is very real； it has truth therein。
From ancient times to now； its name is the undeparting； thereby are seen all beauties。
How do I know all beauties are thus？ By this。
22
Be tactful and you remain whole； bend and you remain straight。 The hollow is filled； the old is renewed。 Economy is gain； excess is confusion。。
Therefore sages embrace unity as model for the world。
Not seeing themselves； they are therefore clear。 Not asserting themselves； they are therefore outstanding。 Not congratulating themselves； they are therefore meritorious。 Not taking pride in themselves； they last long。
It is just because they do not contend that no one in the world can contend with them。
Is it empty talk； the old saying that tact keeps you whole？ When truthfulness is complete； it still resorts to this。
23
To speak rarely is natural。 That is why a gusty wind doesn't last the morning； a downpour of rain doesn't last the day。
Who does this？ Heaven and earth。 If heaven and earth cannot go on forever； how much less can human beings！
Therefore those who follow the Way assimilate to the Way； the virtuous assimilate to virtue； those who have lost assimilate to loss。
Those who assimilate to the Way are happy to gain it； those who assimilate to virtue too are happy to gain it； and those who assimilate to loss are also happy to gain it。
When trust is insufficient； there is distrust。
24
Those on tiptoe don't stand up； those who take long strides don't walk；
those who see themselves are not perceptive； those who assert themselves are not illustrious；
those who glorify themselves have no merit； those who are proud of themselves do not last。
On the Way； these are called overconsumption and excess activity。 Some people disdain them； so those with the Way abstain。
25
Something undifferentiated was born before heaven and earth； still and silent； standing alone and unchanging； going through cycles unending； able to be mother to the world。
I do not know its name； I label it the Way。 Imposing on it a name； I call it Great。
Greatness means it goes； going means reaching afar； reaching afar means return。
Therefore the Way is great； heaven is great； earth is great； and kingship is also great。 Among domains are four greats； of which kingship is one。
Humanity emulates earth； earth emulates heaven； heaven emulates the Way； the Way emulates nature。
26
Gravity is the root of lightness； calm is the master of excitement。
Thereby do exemplary people travel all day without leaving their equipment。 Though they have a look of prosperity； their resting place is transcendent。
What can be done about heads of state who take the world lightly in their own self…interest？
Lack of gravity loses servants of state； insanity loses heads of state。
27
Good works are trackless； good words are flawless； good planning isn't calculating。
What is well closed has no bolt locking it； but cannot be opened。 What is well bound has no rope confining it； but cannot be untied。
Therefore sages always consider it good to save people； so that there are no wasted humans； they always consider it good to save beings； so that there are no wasted beings。
So good people are teachers of people who are not good。 People who are not good are students of people who are good。
Those who do not honor teachers or care for students are greatly deluded； even in knowledgeable。 This is called an essential subtlety。
28
Know the male； keep to the female； be humble toward the world。 Be humble toward the world； and eternal power never leaves； returning again to innocence。
Knowing the white； keep the black； be an exemplar for the world。 Be an exemplar for the world； and eternal power never goes awry； returning again to infinity。
Knowing thee glorious； keep the ignominious； be open to the world。 Be open to the world； and eternal power suffices； returning again to simplicity。
Simplicity is lost to make instruments； which sages employ as functionaries。 Therefore the great fashioner does no splitting。
29
Should you want to take the world； and contrive to do so； I see you won't manage to finish。
The most sublime instrument in the world cannot be contrived。 Those who contrive spoil it； those who cling lose it。
So creatures sometimes go and sometimes follow； sometimes puff and sometimes blow； are sometimes strong and sometimes weak； begin sometime and end sometime；
Therefore sages remove extremes； remove extravagance； remove arrogance。
30
Those who assist human leaders with the Way do not coerce the world with weapons； for these things are apt to backfire。
Brambles grow where an army has been； there are always bad years after a war。
Therefore the good are effective； that is all； they do not presume to grab power thereby：
they are effective but not conceited； effective but not proud； effective but not arrogant。 They are effective when they have