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red； all things achieved it and became existent； leaders achieved it and became good rulers。
Without clarity the heavens would be tempestuous； without firmness the earth would tremble； without fertility the valleys would dry up； without inspiration the spirit would be lost； without existence all things would vanish； rulers would falter and fail。
The good leaders are humble。 The high are founded on the low just as a chariot is made up of many small parts。
Better to rumble like rocks （have depth） than to jingle lightly like jewels （be flighty）。
40
Tao is an endless circle； ever returning； serenity is its ultimate function； everything rises from existence； existence rises from non…existence。
41
Whenever the truly wise hear of Tao they strive earnestly to use it。 Whenever the mediocre hear of Tao they are aware； yet unaware of it。 Whenever the stupid hear of Tao they laugh aloud at it。 If it were not laughed at it would not be Tao。
Therefore it is said of Tao： enlightenment seems dullness； progress seems regression； the true path seems misleading。
The highest character seems recessive like a valley； the purest virtue seems tarnished； the most adequate seems somehow insufficient； the most firm seems frail； the most fundamental seems changeable。
Great space has no corners； great ability takes time to mature； great music is soft and mellow； great form is shapeless； contourless。
Tao is hidden； it is nameless； yet it stimulates； it brings fulfillment。
42
Out of Tao comes Unity； out of Unity comes two； from two comes three； from three all things come。
The shade of Yin is on the back of erverything； the light of Yang is on the face of everything。 From their blending together balance exists in the world。
To feel unworthy； to be alone； orphaned； is greatly feared and disliked； yet statesmen claim these feelings。 Loss sometimes benefits； benefits can be a loss。
Others have taught this too： the violent meet violent ends。 This is a good teaching。
43
The softest will penetrate the hardest； the non？existent will penetrate the existent。
By this I know the value of being passive。 This is teaching without words； achievement without direct action。 In all the world few know this。
44
To have the world know of you or to know yourself； which is more important？ Money or your mind； which is more valuable？ Profit or loss； which is the greater evil？ Overdoing leads to waste； great fortunes invite theft。 Being content prevents harmful extremes。 Knowing where to stop prevents danger。 To know this is to endure。
45
The most perfect seems imperfect； but it endures with constancy。 The greatest fullness seems empty； but it cannot be exhausted。 The most straight seems twisted； the most skilled seems clumsy； the most eloquent seems awkward。 Movement overcomes coldness； stillness overcomes heat。 The serene and passive are guides for all。
46
Contentment
When the world follows Tao； racehorses work on farms。 When the world forsakes Tao； cavalry horses practice in parks。
The greatest curse is being discontent。 It is the greatest misery。 The greatest sin is selfish striving。 Being content with contentment is to be always satisfied。
47
One can know the world without leaving the house。 One can see Tao without looking out the window。 The more you study the less you know。 Thus the truly wise know without traveling； perceive without seeing； achive without doing。
48
The scholar needs to know more and more each day。 The follower of Tao needs to know less and less each day。 By lessening knowledge one reaches serenity。 With serenity everything can be done。 The world is won by those who leave it alone。 When one feels compelled to dominate； the world is already beyond reach。
49
The truly wise areselfless； people抯 needs are their needs。
The good are treated with goodness； the bad are also treated with goodness； this is the goodness of Teh。
The faithful are treated with faith； the faithless are also treated with faith； this is the faith of Teh。
The truly wise are peacefully and impartially。 In their eyes people share a common heritage。 The truly wise accept all people as their own family。
50
Life leaves and death enters。 Three and ten parts accompany life； three and ten parts accompany death； three and ten parts move toward death。 Why？ The wear of the drive to live。
It is said that whoever realizes this is not attacked by the wild buffalo or tiger and is not vulnerable on the field of battle。 The buffalo抯 horns find no place to gore； the tiger抯 claws no place to tear； the soldier抯 waepons no place to pierce。 Why？ Because death is not yet within reach。
… Alternate version：
Three parts in ten accompany life； three parts in ten accompany death； three parts in ten move toward death。 Why？ Living tips the balance toward dying。
It is said that whoever realizes this is not attacked by the wild buffalo or tiger and is not vulnerable on the field of battle。 The buffalo抯 horns find no place to gore； the tiger抯 claws no place to tear； the soldier抯 waepons no place to pierce。 Why？ Because death is not yet within reach。
51
Tao causes all things to exist； Teh sustains them。 Reality gives them form； fate finishes them。 Thus all things honor Tao and respect Teh of their own accord。
So； Tao causes all things to exist and Teh sustains them。 It fosters growth； develops them； harbors them； provides shelter。 It nourishes them； gives protection。
Everything exists through Tao and nothing is rejected； everything is produced through Tao but Tao is not possessive； Tao is superior but never interferes。
52
The beginning of the universe may be considered its mother。 Knowing the mother the sons can be known； kowing the sons we can keep close to the mother。 Thus life finds security within itself。
Eyes closed； mouth shut； life is without trouble。 Eyes open； busily conversant； life is without hope。
Whoever sees the most minute sees clearest。 Whoever cherishes the weak has the most strength。 Whoever uses enlightenment has bright vision。 Thus； no harm is done。 This is following Tao。
53
The Main Path of Tao
Let me walk along the main path of Tao and avoid by…paths of worthless knowledge。 I would not leave this main path； so easily followed； but many people prefer the by…paths。
The palaces are well kept while fields go untilled and the granaries are empty。 To wear elegant clothes； to carry a fine sword； to gorge with food and drink； to have wealth and riches； all this invites plunder。 Is this not departing from Tao？
54
Whatever is firmly planted is not easily uprooted； whatever is firmly grasped is not easily loosened。 Thus； generation follows generation； continuing endlessly。
Accept Tao in yourself and Teh is yours； accept Tao in the family and Teh is abundant； accept Tao in the village and Teh multiplies； accept Tao in the nation and Teh flourishes； accept Tao in the world and Teh is universal。
Therefore one can measu