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13
Favor and Disgrace are both alarming。
Possessions are a great concern to one's Self。
Why say that 'Favor and Disgrace are both alarming' ？
Favor does not appear alarming； but loss of Favor is alarming。
This means that both Favor and Disgrace are alarming。
Why say that 'Possessions are a great concern to one's Self' ？
Whatever I own causes great worry； and affects my Self。
Compared to non…Self； what a great concern is Self。
Therefore； Self is governed by Possessions； rather than Heaven；
and can not be delivered to Heaven。
Self is governed by （self…） Love； rather than Heaven；
and can not be entrusted to Heaven。
14
Look； not seeing； call it invisible。
Listen； not hearing； call it silent。
Touch； not feeling； call it intangible。
These three fail to provide answers；
and are therefore combined into one。
It is above； but not recognized。
It is below； but not hiding。
A guideline without name； it returns to Nothing。
Its appearance has no shape； Nothing is its form。
It seems an illusion。
Approaching； it has no head。
Withdrawing； it has no back。
It continues its ancient ways；
controls the present；
knows the Primal Beginning。
This is the Way of Time。
15
In the beginning； those who worked the land
were modest and charming； with profound understanding。
Their depth was not easy to recognize。
And if not easy to recognize；
perhaps it is better just to describe their appearance。
They were crossing a river in Winter； so it seemed。
Respectful of their four neighbors。 Solemn in appearance。
They always seemed thankful； as if pardoned just yesterday。
Their simple honesty was sincere； and broad as a valley。
Without a purpose； they appeared dull。
He who can be dull； has a quiet serenity。
He who is at peace； can withstand a lifetime of hard work。
He who keeps this Way can not ask for more；
and not asking for more； need not hide his achievements。
16
Let emptiness prevail。
Maintain deep silence。
All things arise。
I can observe their return。
They flourish； then each returns to its center；
returns to its unchanging center。
This implies a return to life。
A return to life is the Norm。
To know the Norm leads to understanding。
To ignore the Norm is absurd； and leads to disaster。
To know the Norm is Tolerance。
Tolerance is Justice。
To be Just is to rule。
Sovereignty comes from Heaven。
Heaven is the Way。
The Way is eternal。
The disappearance of the body is not to be feared。
17
The best rulers are barely known to their subjects。
The next best are loved and praised。
The next are feared。
And the worst are insulted。
The dishonest are not trusted。
Good advice is soon forgotten。
Once the results are achieved；
everyone takes credit。
18
When great Tao is neglected；
there will be artificial charity。
When wisdom and cleverness appear；
there will be great pretentions。
When the six family relations are not in harmony；
there will be filial compassion。
When politicians are confused；
there will be loyal ministers。
19
Renounce experts； forsake wisdom；
and people gain a hundred fold。
Renounce charity； forsake justice；
and people return to filial compassion。
Renounce cleverness； forsake profit；
and thieves and robbers disappear。
These three can not be stressed enough。
Instead； there are regulations ！
Dress plainly； live simply；
with few possessions and few needs。
20
Be done with Knowledge and free of worry。
Is not 'Yes' the same as agreement ？
Do not Good and Evil occur together ？
People cannot control their fears；
and the foolishness is not yet over。
Most men are prosperous and happy。
They enjoy great strength； and climb the terraces in Spring。
I alone am silent； giving no sign；
as a new…born babe before its first breath；
exhausted beyond recovery。
Most men have energy to spare。
I alone seem lost； my foolish heart muddled。
Worldly men are clear and manifest；
I alone seem dim and confused。
Worldly men inquire and examine；
I alone am sad and depressed； indifferent as the ocean。
A constant wind has no equal。
Most men have ambition； while I alone am stubborn and provincial。
I alone am unusual among men； seeking the Mother's breast。
21
Tolerance is a Virtue。
Only Tao professes this。
Only Tao governs things thus。
Very elusive； very evasive； evasive and elusive。
Its Center takes material form； but is elusive and evasive。
Its Center contains images。
Elusive and evasive； its Center contains things。
Deep and Profound； its Center contains its Essence。
Its Essence is very real。 Its Center is true。
From the Beginning to the Present； its name has been preserved。
It takes many names。
How do I know the many names it takes ？
By this。
22
Yield to be Whole。 Bend to be Straight。
Keep low to be Full。 Wear out to Renew。
Having little allows gain。 Having much causes confusion。
Thus does the wise man embrace the One； and is a model under Heaven。
Not self…centered； and therefore discerning。
Not self…absorbed； and therefore distinguished。
Not boastful； and therefore effective。
Not proud； and therefore fit for leadership。
Because he avoids disputes； he avoids worldly conflict。
Hence the old saying 'Yield to be whole'。
How else can Emptiness speak ？
Indeed； keep whole and complete。
23
Strive to express oneself correctly。
Just as a windstorm does not last all morning；
a sudden rain does not last all day。
What controls this is Heaven and Earth。
Even Heaven and Earth cannot make it last； so how can men ？
Therefore conduct affairs according to the Way。
The Taoist identifies with Tao。
The virtuous man identifies with Virtue。
The failure identifies with Loss。
Whoever identifies with Tao； must also love Tao。
Whoever identifies with Virtue； must also love Virtue。
Whoever identifies with Loss； must also love Loss。
The dishonest are not trusted。
24
He who stands on tiptoe； does not stand firmly。
He who crosses over； does not proceed。
The self…centered are not discerning。
The self…absorbed are not distinguished。
The boaster is not effective。
The proud are not Leaders。
On the road； excess food means extra work。
Such things are undesirable； and the traveller avoids them。
25
Before the creation of Heaven and Earth；
there was something complete and without purpose。
Silent and desolate。 Standing alone and unchanging。 Cyclic and untiring。
Able to be the Mother beneath Heaven。
I do not know its Name。 Its character is 'Tao'。
Powerful and Great； its Greatness spread