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The Mystery and the Manifestations are separate； yet they arise from the same source。
This source is deep； so deep its depths cannot be plumbed。
Within its depths is darkness。 The Great Mystery within the darkness；
it is the gateway to all understanding。
2
It is the world of man that defines ugly by comparing it with that which man calls beautiful。
Skillful is considered such by comparison to that which is called 'without skill'。
Alive and non…alive are delineated by nature。
Difficult and easy are abstracted by our perception。
Long and short are defined by the one against the other。
High and low are reckoned so by the contrast of the one with the other。
Music is seen as pleasing if the notes and tones are recognized as being harmonious with each other。
One in front； and one behind are recognized as one following the other。
It is for this reason that the sage lives in the condition of wu…wei （unattached action； or； doing…not doing）；
And teaches without words。
He knows that names and images are fleeting； and all things will transform。
One who seems to follow tonight might lead another time。
He sees all that is done as neither large nor small。
All things are neither grand nor miniscule。
Actions are neither difficult； nor done with ease。 He acts without expectation。
Things spring up around him； and he accepts them； but does not possess them。
Things go away； and he recognizes their departure without grief or joy。
When the work is done he leaves it be。
Because he does not dwell in it； it will last。
3
If you glorify the worthy； you will bring forth strife。
Overvaluing possessions induces thievery。
If you desire the expensive； your heart will never loosen。
The master leads by clearing people's minds；
He fills their inner being； weakens their ambitions； and strengthens their bones。
He helps people lose all that they know。
If people lack cleverness and desire； then they will not presume to act； and harmony will reign。
By not striving； he maintains his inner harmony；
And remains at peace within himself。
4
The Tao is an inexhaustible container； as much of itself that it pours out； still there is more left。
It blunts the sharpness； untangles the knots and softens the glare。
Its depths are hidden； universal and eternal。
I don't know where it came from；
It existed before the beginning。
5
The Sage does not take sides；
He welcomes both saints and sinners。
The Tao works upon man as it works upon the grasses of the fields。
Sages act out of the need for rightness； not purely compassion。
The Tao is like a bellows； even though it appears empty； its workings are obvious；
Yet the more you use it the more it produces； it is inexhaustible。
Yet speaking of it will not increase the comprehension。
Hold to the center path。
6
The Tao is called the Great Mother：
empty yet never…ending；
it gives birth to unlimited worlds。
It is always at hand within you。
Use it gently； and without force。
7
The Tao is infinite and eternal。
Why is it eternal？
It was never born；
thus it can never die。
Why is it infinite？
It has no desires for itself；
thus it is present for all beings。
The Master stays behind；
that is why he is ahead。
He is removed from all things；
that is why he is one with them。
Because he has let go of himself；
he is perfectly fulfilled。
8
The highest goodness is like water。
Water effortlessly benefits all things without struggling。
It is content to flow to the low places that people scorn。
In this way water is in accordance with the TAO。
Therefore：
In dwelling； live close to the Earth。
For the mind； depth should be sought。
In conflict； be fair and righteous。
In government； self…mastery； competence and timing is preferred。
The sage does not strive；
Therefore no one can strive against him。
9
Fill a cup to its brim and it is easily spilled。
Keep sharpening your knife；
and it will quickly dull。
When gold and jade fill the hall； their possessor cannot keep them safe。
If you care about people's approval：
you will be their prisoner。
After finishing the work； depart。
This is the Way of Heaven。
10
Can you coax your mind from its wandering。。。and still yourself？：
Are you able to avoid separation from creation？
Focusing your energy on oneness with all：
Can you be like a child？
Can you cleanse your inner vision；
until you see nothing but the light？
Can you love people and lead them；
without imposing your will？
Can you deal with the most vital matters
by letting events take their course？
Can you step back from your own notions
and understand all things？
The Tao Gives birth and nourishes；
it produces； but it does not possess。
The Tao acts with no expectations。
Be like the Tao： surpass； but don't take charge。
This is called The Mysterious Virtue。
11
We join spokes together in a hub；
but it is the center hole that provides the utility of the wheel。
We form clay into a container；
but it is the emptiness inside
that holds whatever we want。
We build walls for a house；
But it is the empty space inside
that we live in。
Therefore： we work with being；
But it is in non…being that there is true usefulness。
12
Too many colors blind the eye；
Too much music deafens the ear；
Too many flavors dull the palate；
Racing and hunting madden the mind；
Too much desire withers the heart。
In this manner the sage cares for people：
He provides for the inner being；
not the insatiable longing of the mind。
He fulfills his needs；
not worldly temptations。
13
Success is as dangerous as failure。
Hope is as hollow as fear。
What does it mean that success is a dangerous as failure？
Perceptions of success and failure both arise from concern for the self。
What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear？
Hope and fear are both phantoms；
they also arise from thinking of the self。
When we don't see the self as self；
what do we have to fear？
Therefore； if you dedicate your life to the benefit of the world；
you can rely on the world。
To the likes of this； the world can be entrusted。
14
Looked at it cannot be seen … it is beyond form； and is seen as remote。
Listened to it cannot be heard … it is beyond sound； it is indistinct。
Reach for it； and you cannot grasp it。 It is beyond reach and is ephemeral。
These unknowable things evade definition；
And blend into a single mystery；
called The Tao。
Its top is not bright；
Its bottom is not dark；
faultless； unnamable；
it returns to the realm of nothing。
Thus； it is called the formless form；
The image with nothing to see；
something subtle； beyond all conception。