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though it is Omnipotent； and we name it the Concealed。 These threeVirtues
hath it； yet we cannot describe it as consisting of them； but； minglingthem
aright； we apprehend the One。
Above； it shineth not； below； it is not dark。 It moveth all
continuously； without Expression； returning into Naught。 It is theForm
of That which is beyond Form； it is the Image of the Invisible； itis
Change； and Without Limit。
We confront it； and see not its Face； we pursue it； and its Back is
hidden from us。 Ah！ but apply the Tao as in old Time to the work ofthe
present； know it as it was known in the Beginning； follow ferventlythe
Thread of the Tao。
15
THE APPEARANCE OF THE TRUE NATURE
The adepts of past ages were subtle and keen to apprehend this Mystery；
and their profundity was obscurity unto men。 Since then they were not
known； let me declare their nature。
To all seeming； they were fearful as men that cross a torrent in winter
flood； they were hesitating like a man in apprehension of them thatare
about him； they were full of awe like a guest in a great house； theywere
ready to disappear like ice in thaw； they were unassuming like unworked
wood； they were empty as a valley； and dull as the waters of a marsh。
Who can clear muddy water？ Stillness will accomplish this。 Who can
obtain rest？ Let motion continue equably； and it will itself be peace。
The adepts of the Tao； conserving its way； seek not to be actively self…
conscious。 By their emptiness of Self they have no need to show
their youth and perfection； to appear old and imperfect is their
privilege。
16
THE WITHDRAWAL TO THE ROOT
Emptiness must be perfect； and Silence made absolute with tireless
strength。 All things pass through the period of action； then they return
to repose。 They grow； bud； blossom and fruit； then they return to the
root。 This return to the root is this state which we name Silence；and
this Silence is Witness of their Fulfilment。
This cycle is the universal law。 To know it is the part of intelligence；
to ignore it bringeth folly of action； whereof the end is madness。To know it
bringeth understanding and peace； and these lead to the identificationof
the Self with the Not…Self。 This identification maketh man a king；and
this kingliness groweth unto godhood。 That godhood beareth fruit inthe
mastery of the Tao。 Then the man； the Tao permeating him； endureth；and
his bodily principles are in harmony； proof against decay； until the
hour of his Change。
17
THE PURITY OF THE CURRENT
In the Age of Gold； the people were not conscious of their rulers；in the
Age of Silver； they loved them； with songs； in the Age of Brass； they
feared them； in the Age of Iron； they despised them。 As the rulers
lost confidence； so also did the people lose confidence in them。
How hesitating did they seem； the Lords of the Age of Gold； speakingwith
deliberation； aware of the weight of their word！ Thus they accomplished
all things with success； and the people deemed their well…being tobe the
natural course of events。
18
THE DECAY OF MANNERS
When men abandoned the Way of the Tao； benevolence and justice became
necessary。 Then also was need of wisdom and cunning； and all fell into
illusion。 When harmony ceased to prevail in the six spheres it wasneedful
to govern them by manifesting Sons。 When the kingdoms and races became
confused； loyal ministers had to appear。
19
RETURNING TO THE PURITY OF THE CURRENT
If we forgot our statesmanship and our wisdom； it would be an hundred
times better for the people。 If we forgot our benevolence and our
justice； they would become again like sons； folk of good will。 If we
forget our machines and our business； there would be no knavery。
These new methods despised the olden Way； inventing fine names to
disguise their baneness。 But simplicity in the doing of the will of
every man would put an end to vain ambitions and desires。
20
THE WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COMMON WAY
To forget learning is to end trouble。 The smallest difference in words；
such as 'yes' and 'yea'； can make endless controversy for the
scholar。 Fearful indeed is death； since all men fear it； but the abyssof
questionings； shoreless and bottomless； is worse！
Consider the profane man； how he preeneth； as if at feast； or gazingupon
Spring from a tower！ But as for me； I am as one who yawneth； withoutany
trace of desire。 I am like a babe before its first smile。 I appearsad
and forlorn； like a man homeless。 The profane man hath his need filled；
ay； and more also。 For me； I seem to have lost all I had。 My mind isas
it were stupefied； it hath no definite shape。 The profane man looketh
lively and keen…witted； I alone appear blank in my mind。 They seem
eagerly critical； I appear careless and without perception。 I seemto be
as one adrift upon the sea； with ｛24｝ no thought of an harbor。 The
profane have each one his definite course of action； I alone appear
useless and uncomprehending； like a man from the border。 Yea； thusI
differ from all other men： but my jewel is the All…Mother！
21
THE INFINITE WOMB
The sole source of energy is the Tao。 Who may declare its nature？ Itis
beyond Sense； yet all form is hidden within it。 It is beyond Sense；yet
all Perceptibles are hidden within it。 It is beyond Sense； yet all
Perceptibles are hidden within it。 It is beyond Sense； yet all Beingis
hidden within it。 This Being excites Perception； and the Word thereof。
As it was in the beginning； is now； and ever shall be； its Name
operateth continuously； causing all to flow in the cycle of Change；which
is Love and Beauty。 How do I know this？ By my comprehension of theTao。
22
THE GUERDON OF MODESTY
The part becometh the whole。 The curve becometh straight； the void
becometh full； the old becometh new。 He who desireth little
accomplisheth his Will with ease； who desireth many things becometh
distracted。
Therefore； the sage concentrateth upon one Will； and it is as a lightto
the whole world。 Hiding himself； he shineth； withdrawing himself； he
attracteth notice； humbling himself； he is exalted； dissatisfied with
himself； he gaineth force to achieve his Will。 Because he strivethnot；
no man may contend against him。
That is no idle saw of the men of old； 'The part becometh the whole'；it
is the Canon of Perfection。
23
THE VOID OF NAUGHT
To keep silence is the mark of one who is acting in full accordancewith
his Will。 A fierce wind soon falleth； a storm…shower doth not lastall
day。 Yet Heaven and Earth cause these； and if they fail to make violence
continue； how much less can man abide in spasm of passion！
With him that devoteth him to Tao； the devotees of Tao are in accord；so
also are the devotees of Teh； yea； even they