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28
RETURNING TO SIMPLICITY
He who knows his manhood and understands his womanhood becomes useful like the valleys of earth （which bring water）。 Being like the valleys of earth； eternal vitality （teh） will not depart from him； he will come again to the nature of a little child。
He who knows his innocence and recognizes his sin becomes the world's model。 Being a world's model； infinite teh will not fail； he will return to the Absolute。
He who knows the glory of his nature and recognizes also his limitations becomes useful like the world's valleys。 Being like the world's valleys； eternal teh will not fail him； he will revert to simplicity。
Radiating simplicity he will make of men vessels of usefulness。 The wise man then will employ them as officials and chiefs。 A great administration of such will harm no one。
29
NOT FORCING THINGS （WU WEI）
One who desires to take and remake the Empire will fail。 The Empire is a divine thing that cannot be remade。 He who attempts it will only mar it。
He who seeks to grasp it； will lose it。 People differ； some lead； others follow； some are ardent； others are formal； some are strong； others weak； some succeed； others fail。 Therefore the wise man practices moderation； he abandons pleasure； extravagance and indulgence。
30
BE STINGY OF WAR
When the magistrate follows Tao； he has no need to resort to force of arms to strengthen the Empire； because his business methods alone will show good returns。
Briars and thorns grow rank where an army camps。 Bad harvests are the sequence of a great war。 The good ruler will be resolute and then stop； he dare not take by force。 One should be resolute but not boastful； resolute but not haughty； resolute but not arrogant； resolute but yielding when it cannot be avoided； resolute but he must not resort to violence。
By a resort to force； things flourish for a time but then decay。 This is not like the Tao and that which is not Tao…like will soon cease。
31
AVOIDING WAR
Even successful arms； among all implements； are unblessed。 All men come to detest them。 Therefore the one who follows Tao does not rely on them。 Arms are of all tools unblessed； they are not the implements of a wise man。 Only as a last resort does he use them。
Peace and quietude are esteemed by the wise man； and even when victorious he does not rejoice； because rejoicing over a victory is the same as rejoicing over the killing of men。 If he rejoices over killing men； do you think he will ever really master the Empire？
In propitious affairs the place of honor is the left； but in unpropitious affairs we honor the right。
The strong man while at home esteems the left as the place of honor； but when armed for war it is as though he esteems the right hand； the place of less honor。
Thus a funeral ceremony is so arranged。 The place of a subordinate army officer is also on the left and the place of his superior officer is on the right。 The killing of men fills multitudes with sorrow； we lament with tears because of it； and rightly honor the victor as if he was attending a funeral ceremony。
32
THE VIRTUE （TEH） OF HOLINESS
Tao in its eternal aspect is unnamable。 Its simplicity appears insignificant； but the whole world cannot control it。 If princes and kings employ it every one of themselves will pay willing homage。 Heaven and Earth by it are harmoniously combined and drop sweet dew。 People will have no need of rulers； because of themselves they will be righteous。
As soon as Tao expresses itself in orderly creation then it becomes comprehensible。 When one recognizes the presence of Tao he understands where to stop。 Knowing where to stop he is free from danger。
To illustrate the nature of Tao's place in the universe： Tao is like the brooks and streams in their relation to the great rivers and the ocean。
33
THE VIRTUE （TEH） OF DISCRIMINATION
He who knows others is intelligent； he who understands himself is enlightened； he who is able to conquer others has force； but he who is able to control himself is mighty。 He who appreciates contentment is wealthy。
He who dares to act has nerve； if he can maintain his position he will endure； but he； who dying does not perish； is immortal。
34
THE PERFECTION OF TRUST
Great Tao is all pervading！ It can be on both the right hand and the left。 Everything relies upon it for their existence； and it does not fail them。 It acquires merit but covets not the title。 It lovingly nourishes everything； but does not claim the rights of ownership。 It has no desires； it can be classed with the small。 Everything returns to it； yet it does not claim the right of ownership。 It can be classed with the great。
Therefore the wise man to the end will not pose as a great man； and by so doing will express his true greatness。
35
THE VIRTUE （TEH） OF BENEVOLENCE
The world will go to him who grasps this Great Principle； they will seek and not be injured； they will find contentment； peace and rest。
Music and dainties attract the passing people； while Tao's reality seen…is insipid。 Indeed it has no taste； when looked at there is not enough seen to be prized； when listened for； it can scarcely be heard； but； the use of it is inexhaustible。
36
EXPLANATION OF A PARADOX
That which has a tendency to contract must first have been extended； that which has a tendency to weaken itself must first have been strong； that which shows a tendency to destroy itself must first have been raised up； that which shows a tendency to scatter must first have been gathered。
This is the explanation of a seeming contradiction： the tender and yielding conquer the rigid and strong （i。e。； spirit is stronger than matter； persuasion than force）。 The fish would be foolish to seek escape from its natural environment。 There is no gain to a nation to compel by a show of force。
37
ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT
Tao is apparently inactive （wu wei） and yet nothing remains undone。 If princes and kings desire to keep） everything in order； they must first reform themselves。 （If princes and kings would follow the example of Tao； then all things will reform themselves。） If they still desire to change； I would pacify them by the simplicity of the ineffable Tao。
This simplicity will end desire； and if desire be absent there is quietness。 All people will of themselves be satisfied。
38
A DISCUSSION ABOUT TEH
Essential teh makes no show of virtue； and therefore it is really virtuous。 Inferior virtue never loses sight of itself and therefore it is no longer virtue。 Essential virtue is characterized by lack of self…assertion （wu wei） and therefore is unpretentious。 Inferior virtue is acting a part and thereby is only pretense。
Superior benevolence in a way is acting but does not thereby become pretentious。 Excessive righteousness is acting and does thereby become pretentious。 Excessive propriety is acting； but where no one responds to it； it stretches its arm and enforces obedience。
Therefore when one loses Tao there