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Thus； it is called the formless form；
The image with nothing to see；
something subtle； beyond all conception。
Draw near it and there is no beginning；
chase after it and there is no end。
By holding to the ancient Tao
You can manage current existence
And know the ancient beginnings。
This is called the very beginning thread of the Tao。
15
The ancient masters of the Tao
had a subtle； perceptive； penetration。
Their wisdom was unfathomable and cannot be comprehended。
It is because they were unknowable that we can only describe the way they appeared。
They were as careful as someone crossing an iced…over stream；
They were as aware as a warrior in hostile territory。
They were as considerate and humble as a guest；
as changeable as melting ice。
They were as unpretentious as an un…carved block of wood；
and as approachable as a wide open valley。
They were as clear as a glass of water。
Do you have the patience to wait。。。
till the mud settles and your water is clear？
Can you remain motionless。。。
till the right action arises by itself？
The Master doesn't seek fulfillment。
Not seeking； not expecting；
He is at hand in every moment；
His vigor will not be easily exhausted；
And his need for renewal will be reduced。
16
Empty the self completely； Embrace perfect peace。
Realize that all beings alike go through their processes of activity and life；
and then they return to the original source。
Returning to the source brings peacefulness and stillness。
This stillness is the flow of nature； and signifies that the beings have lived their allotted span of life。
Accepting this brings enlightenment and tranquility；
ignoring this brings confusion and sorrow
If one can accept this flow of nature； one can cherish all things。
Being all…cherishing you become impartial；
Being impartial you become magnanimous；
Being magnanimous you become natural；
Being natural you become one with The Way；
Being one with The Way you become immortal：
Though the body will decay； the Way will not。
17
When the Master governs； the people
are hardly aware that he exists。
Second best is a leader who is loved。
Next； is one who is feared。
The worst is one who is despised。
Such as these have no faith in their people；
and the people in turn become unfaithful to them。
The Master doesn't talk； he acts。
How sparing he is with his words！
When his work is complete and the purpose is achieved；
the people regard the triumph as their own。
18
When the way of the Tao is forgotten；
morality and ethics need to be stressed。
When the body's innate intelligence is not heeded；
deception becomes routine； and men learn to pretend to be wise and good。
When genuine peace among people is not regarded；
filial piety and compassion are made apparent。
When a nation falls into chaos； loyalty and patriotism are renewed。
19
If we could discard knowledge and wisdom；
then the people would be a hundred times happier。
If we could renounce our kindness and discard our righteousness；
the people's harmonious relationships and love would form of their own accord。
If cunning and profit were renounced； stealing and fraud would disappear。
Since the above three are merely words and slogans； they are not sufficient as they are lost in the world of man。
Therefore we must look to that to which they belong：
Cultivate simplicity and be like the uncarved wooden block。
Reduce your selfishness and diminish desire and ambition。
Stop worthless learning and you will reduce vexations of the spirit。
20
Discard relentless learning； and put an end to the anxiety in your harried mind。
What is the difference between yes and no？
What is the distinction between success and failure？
Must the sage fear what all others fear？
How preposterous； these questions can be asked for as long as one seeks enlightenment。
It is to the sage's advantage that he need not fear what others fear。
But it is to the advantage of most that they can enjoy the feast；
and celebrate in the terraced parks in the springtime。
I alone seem tranquil and still amidst the smiling revelers。
I am as expressionless as an infant before it learns to smile。
I do not know the minds of other people；
My mind is that of a fool； muddied and cloudy。
I am alone； with no true home。
Other people have enough and to spare；
I alone seem to have lost everything。
Other people enjoy all they need and more；
I alone have left everything behind。
Other people appear bright；
I alone seem wrapped in darkness。
Other people seem razor…sharp；
I alone am dull。
Other people are lucid；
I alone am obscure。
Everyone seems to know everything；
I alone have no knowledge。
I am like a wave on the ocean；
blowing as aimlessly as the wind； with no place to rest。
Others have purpose； taste and a sphere of action：
I alone am purposeless； unrefined and uncentered。
I do not share the fears of the people；
For creation nourishes me。
21
The form of great virtue is something that only the Tao can follow。
The Tao as a 〃thing〃 is vague and obscure。
How obscure！ How vague！ Yet in it there is form。
How vague！ How obscure！ But in it there are things。
How deep！ How dark！ In it there is an essence。
The essence is so realtherein is belief。
Since before time and space were；
the Tao IS。
It is beyond is and is not。
How do I know this is true？
I look inside myself and see。
22
Yield； and maintain integrity。
If you want to become whole； let yourself become partial。
If you want to become straight； let yourself become crooked。
If you want to become full； let yourself become empty。
If you want to be reborn； you must let yourself die。
If you want to be given everything； you must give everything up。
The sage accepts the world as the world accepts the Way。
He is free from self…display； and therefore he shines。
Freed from self…assertion； he is distinguished。
Removed from self…boasting； his merit is acknowledged。
removed from self…complacency； he acquires superiority。
It is because he is free from striving that
no one in the world is able to strive with him。
When the ancient Masters said；
〃If you want to be given everything； give everything up；〃
they weren't mouthing empty phrases。
Only in being lived by the Tao can you be truly complete。
23
Nature says only a few words：
To speak little is natural。
Express yourself completely；
and then keep quiet。
Be like the forces of nature：
a gale seldom blows the whole morning；
nor does a downpour last a whole day。
When the clouds pass； the sun shines through。
If nature's words do not last；
why should those of man？
If you open yourself to the Tao；
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