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Stay with the ancient Way
in order to master what is present。
Knowing the primeval beginning is the essence of the Way。
15
The wise have ancient mystic wisdom
and profound understanding； too deep to comprehend。
Because they can not be comprehended；
they can only be described by analogy：
cautious； like crossing a stream in winter；
alert； like one aware of danger on all sides；
courteous； like a visiting guest；
self…effacing； like ice beginning to melt；
genuine； like a piece of uncarved wood；
open and receptive； like a valley；
freely mixing； like muddy water。
Who can make sense of a muddy world？
Let it be still； and it becomes clear。
Who can remain calm；
and through activity come back to life？
Those who embrace this Way do not over…extend themselves。
Because they do not over…extend themselves；
they do not wear out and are not replaced。
16
Empty yourself of everything。
Maintain a steady serenity。
All things take shape and become active；
but I see them return to their source；
like vegetation that grows and flourishes；
but returns to the root from which it springs。
Returning to the source is serenity；
it is to realize one's destiny。
To realize one's destiny is to know the eternal。
To know the eternal is to be enlightened。
Not to know the eternal
is to act blindly and court disaster。
Whoever knows the eternal is open to everything。
Whoever is open to everything is impartial。
To be impartial is to be universal。
To be universal is to be in accord with heaven。
To be in accord with heaven is to be in accord with the Way。
To be in accord with the Way is to be eternal
and to live free from harm even though the body dies。
17
The best leaders the people barely know。
The next best they love and praise。
The next they fear。
And the next they hate。
Those who lack trust will not be trusted。
Then they resort to promises。
But when they accomplish their task and complete their work；
the people say； 〃We did it ourselves。〃
18
When the great Way is forgotten；
the doctrines of humanity and morality arise。
When knowledge and cleverness appear；
there emerges great hypocrisy。
When family relationships are not in harmony；
filial piety and parental love are advocated。
When a country falls into chaos and disorder；
there is praise of loyal patriots。
19
Abandon religion and discard cleverness；
and people will benefit a hundredfold。
Abandon humanity and discard morality；
and people will rediscover love and duty。
Abandon skill and discard profit；
and there will be no thieves or robbers。
These three things relate to externals and are inadequate。
People need what they can depend on：
reveal simplicity； embrace the natural；
control selfishness； reduce desires。
20
Abandon memorizing； and vexations end。
How much difference is there between yes and no？
How much difference is there between good and evil？
Is what people fear really to be feared？
How very remote the actual occurrence！
The people of the world make merry
as though at a holiday feast or a spring carnival。
I alone am inactive and desireless；
like a new…born baby who cannot yet smile；
unattached； as though homeless。
The people of the world possess more than enough。
I alone seem to have lost all。
I must be a fool； so indiscriminate and nebulous。
Most people seem knowledgeable and bright。
I alone am simple and dull。
Most people see differences and are sharp。
I alone make no distinctions；
seeming aimless； drifting as the sea；
like the wind blowing about； seemingly without destination。
People of the world all have a purpose。
I alone seem impractical and out of place。
I am different from others；
and value drawing sustenance from the Mother。
21
All…embracing power proceeds only through the Way。
What is called the Way is elusive and intangible。
Intangible and elusive； yet within it are thought…images。
Elusive and intangible； yet within it are objects。
Deep and obscure； yet within it is the life…force。
The life…force is very real； and within it is certainty。
From the ancient times till now
its manifestations have never ceased；
by which we may see the beginning of all things。
How do I know that the beginnings of all things are so？
Through this certainty。
22
To yield is to preserve unity。
To bend is to become straight。
To empty oneself is to become full。
To wear oneself out is to be renewed。
To have little is to be content。
To have abundance is to be troubled。
Therefore the wise embrace the One
and become examples for the world。
They do not display themselves and are therefore illumined。
They do not justify themselves and are distinguished。
They do not make claims and are therefore given credit。
They do not seek glory and therefore are leaders。
Because they do not compete；
the world cannot compete with them。
Is not the ancient saying true；
〃To yield is to preserve unity？〃
for true wholeness comes from turning within。
23
Nature says few words。
A whirlwind does not last all morning；
nor does a rainstorm last a whole day。
What causes them？ Nature。
If even Nature's utterances do not last long；
how much less should human beings'？
Those who follow the Way are one with the Way。
Those who follow power are one with power。
Those who abandon it are one with abandonment。
Those one with the Way are welcomed by the Way。
Those one with power are welcomed by power。
Those one with abandonment are welcomed by abandonment。
Those who lack trust will not be trusted。
24
Those who stand on tiptoe are not steady。
Those who strain their strides cannot long keep up the pace。
Those who display themselves do not illuminate。
Those who justify themselves are not distinguished。
Those who make claims are not given credit。
Those who seek glory are not leaders。
According to the Way these are like extra food and waste；
which all creatures detest。
Therefore followers of the Way avoid them。
25
There is something mysterious and whole
which existed before heaven and earth；
silent； formless； complete； and never changing。
Living eternally everywhere in perfection；
it is the mother of all things。
I do not know its name； I call it the Way。
If forced to define it； I shall call it supreme。
Supreme means absolute。
Absolute means extending everywhere。
Extending everywhere means returning to itself。
Thus the Way is supreme。
Heaven is supreme。
Earth is supreme。
And the person is supreme。
There are four supremes in the universe；
and the person is one of them。
The person refle