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gly； without either absolute beginnings or final endings。 If we cannot describe it intelligibly； this is because it is beyond our understanding。
Nature is the formless source of all forms； and yet it remains unaffected by its forms。 Thus it appears to us as if mysterious。
No matter how closely we scrutinize its coming toward us； we cannot discover a beginning。 No matter how long we pursue it； we never find its end。
One must comprehend the way in which the original Nature itself operates； if he wishes to control present conditions。 That is； he should study the ultimate source itself。 This is the way to understand how Nature behaves。
15
In primitive times； intelligent men had an intuitively penetrating grasp of reality which could not be stated in words。
Since their instinctive beliefs have not been recorded for us； we can only infer them from old sayings which have come down to us。 Regarding caution when crossing a stream in winter： the more nervous you are； the more likely you are to slip and fall： Regarding suspicion of enemies； the more you fear others； the more the will be afraid of you： Regarding courtesy as a guest： the longer you stay； the more you become indebted to your host。
Regarding melting ice： the more you do to prevent it from melting； the quicker it melts。 Regarding making furniture： the more you carve the wood； the weaker it gets。 Regarding digging ditches： the steeper you slope their sides； the sooner they will wash down。 Regarding muddy water： The more you try to stir the dirt out of it； the murkier it gets。
What； then； should we do in order to clear the muddy water？ Leave it alone and the dirt will settle out by itself。 What； then； must we do in order to achieve contentment？ Let each thing act according to its own nature； and it will eventually come to rest in its own way。
Those who fully comprehend the true nature of existence do not try to push things to excess。 And because they do not try to push things to excess； they are able to satisfy their needs repeatedly without exhausting themselves。
16
In order to arrive at complete contentment； restrain your ambitions。
For everything which comes into being eventually returns again to the source from which it came。 Each thing which grows and develops to the fullness of its own nature completes its course by declining again in a manner inherently determined by its own nature。
Completing its life is as inevitable as that each thing shall have its own goal。 Each thing having its own goal is necessary to the nature of things。
He who knows that this is the ultimate nature of things is intelligent； he who does not is not。 Being intelligent； he knows that each has a nature which is able to take care of itself。 Knowing this； he is willing that each thing follow its own course。 Being willing to let each thing follow its own course； he is gracious。 Being gracious； he is like the source which graciously gives life to all。 Being like the gracious source of all； he embodies Nature's way within his own being。 And in thus embodying Nature's way within himself； he embodies its perpetually recurrent principles within himself。
And so； regardless of what happens to his body； there is somethng about him which goes on forever。
17
The most intelligent leaders bring about results without making those controlled realize that they are being influenced。 The less intelligent seek to motivate others by appeals to loyalty； honour； self…interest； and flattery。 Those still less intelligent employ fear by making their followers think they will not receive their rewards。 The worst try to force others to improve by condemning their conduct。
But since； if leaders do not trust their followers then their followers will not trust the leaders； The intelligent leader will be careful not to speak as if he doubted or distrusted his follower's ability to do the job suitably。
When the work is done； and as he wanted it done； he will be happy if the followers say： 〃This is just the way we wanted it。〃
18
When people try to improve upon； and thus deviate from； the way Nature itself naturally functions； they develop artificial codes of right and wrong。
When knowledge becomes highly abstract； men are deceived by mistaking abstractions for realities。
When instinctive family sympathies are replaced by rules for proper conduct then parents become 〃responsible〃 and children become 〃dutiful〃。
When corruption replaces genuine benevolence in government； then loyalty oaths are demanded of officials。
19
Therefore … If we ignore intricate learning and knowledge of petty distinctions； we shall be many times better off。
If we neglect to insist upon the formal proprieties of etiquette； our intuitive sympathies will return。
If we abolish opportunities for profiteering 〃within the law；〃 incentive for political corruption will disappear。
If the foregoing three principles are unclear； then at least the following are understandable：
Simply be yourself。 Act naturally。 Refrain from self…assertiveness。 Avoid covetousness。
20
If we stop fussing about grammatical trivialities； we will get along much better。 The difference between 〃Yes〃 and 〃ya〃 is insignificant as compared with a genuine distinction like 〃Good〃 and 〃Bad〃。
Yet some people are as fearful of making a grammatical mistake as of committing a vital error。 How stupid to waste our lives in infinite details！
While others enjoy devoting themselves to ceremonious holiday celebrations； such as the spring festivals； I stay at home as unperturbed as a helpless babe。
So while others are feasting； I appear neglected。 Am I the one who is a misguided fool？
When everyone else is exuberant； I continue to be disinterested。 When everyone else is alert to the niceties of etiquette； I persist in being indifferent。 I am as unconcerned as the rolling ocean； without a care to bother me。
While others behave like busybodies； I alone remain placid and resist arousement。 How can I withstand the pressure of public opinion？ Because I am succored by Mother Nature herself。
21
Intelligence consists in acting according to Nature。
Nature is something which can neither be seen nor touched。 Yet all of the forms which can possibly be seen or touched are latent within it。 And all of the things that will actually be seen or touched are embedded as potentialities within it。 Deep in its depths are activating forces。 No matter how unplumbable the depths； these forces unfailingly sustain the world as it appears to us。
From the beginning until now； they have never ceased to express themselves in appearances。
How do I know all this to be so？ It is intuitively self…evident； for every existing thing testifies to it； including what appears right here and now。
22
Submit to Nature if you would reach your goal。 For； whoever deviates from Nature's way； nature forces back again。 Whoever gives up his desire to improve upon Nature will find Nature satisfying all his needs。 Whoever finds his desires extinguished will find more desires arising of their own accord。 Whoever desires littl