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He who is more attached to wealth
than to himself；
suffers more heavily from loss。
He who knows when to stop； might lose；
but in safety stays。
45
CHANGES
In retrospect； even those accomplishments
which seemed perfect when accomplished；
may seem imperfect and ill formed；
but this does not mean that such accomplishments
have outlived their usefulness。
That which once seemed full；
may later empty seem；
yet still be unexhausted。
That which once seemed straight
may seem twisted when seen once more；
intelligence can seem stupid；
and eloquence seem awkward；
movement may overcome the cold；
and stillness； heat；
but stillness in movement
is the way of the Tao。
46
MODERATING DESIRE AND AMBITION
When the way of nature is observed；
all things serve their function；
horses drawing carts； and pulling at the plough。
But when the natural way is not observed；
horses are bred for battle and for war。
Desire and wanting cause discontent；
whilst he who knows sufficiency
more easily has what he requires。
47
DISCOVERING THE DISTANT
The Tao may be known and observed
without the need of travel；
the way of the heavens might be well seen
without looking through a window。
The further one travels；
the less one knows。
So； without looking； the sage sees all；
and by working without self…advancing thought；
he discovers the wholeness of the Tao。
48
FORGETTING KNOWLEDGE
When pursuing knowledge；
something new is acquired each day。
But when pursuing the way of the Tao；
something is subtracted；
less striving occurs；
until there is no striving。
When effort is uncontrived；
nothing is left undone；
the way of nature rules
by allowing things to take their course；
not by contriving to change。
49
THE VIRTUE OF RECEPTIVITY
The sage is not mindful for himself；
but is receptive to others' needs。
Knowing that virtue requires great faith；
he has that faith； and is good to all；
irrespective of others' deeds；
he treats them according to their needs。
He has humility and is shy；
thus confusing other men。
They see him as they might a child；
and sometimes listen to his words。
50
THE VALUE SET ON LIFE
In looking at the people； we might see
that in the space twixt birth and death；
one third follow life； and one third death；
and those who merely pass from birth to death；
are also one third of those we see。
He who lives by the way of the Tao；
travels without fear of ferocious beasts；
and will not be pierced in an affray；
for he offers no resistance。
The universe is the centre of his world；
so in the inner world
of he who lives within the Tao；
there is no place
where death can enter in。
51
THE NOURISHMENT OF THE TAO
All physical things arise
from the principle which is absolute；
the principle which is the natural way。
All living things are formed by being；
and shaped by their environment；
growing if nourished well by virtue；
the being from non…being。
All natural things respect the Tao；
giving honour to its virtue；
although the Tao does not expect；
nor look for honour or respect。
The virtue of the natural way
is that all things are born of it；
it nourishes and comforts them；
develops； shelters and cares for them；
protecting them from harm。
The Tao creates； not claiming credit；
and guides without interfering。
52
RETURNING TO THE SOURCE
The virtue of Tao governs its natural way。
Thus； he who is at one with it；
is one with everything which lives；
having freedom from the fear of death。
Boasting； and hurrying hither and thither；
destroy the enjoyment of a peace filled life。
Life is more fulfilled by far；
for he who does not have desire；
for he does not have desire；
has no need of boasting。
Learn to see the insignificant and small；
grow in wisdom and develop insight；
that which is irrevocable；
do not try to fight；
and so be saved from harm。
53
EVIDENCE
When temptation arises to leave the Tao；
banish temptation； stay with the Tao。
When the court has adornments in profusion；
the fields are full of weeds；
and the granaries are bare。
It is not the way of nature to carry a sword；
nor to over…adorn oneself；
nor to have more than a sufficiency
of fine food and drink。
He who has more possessions than he can use；
deprives someone who could use them well。
54
CULTIVATING INSIGHT
That which is firmly rooted；
is not easily torn from the ground；
just as that which is firmly grasped；
does not slip easily from the hand。
The virtue of the Tao is real；
if cultivated in oneself；
when loved in the family； it abounds；
when throughout the village； it will grow；
and in the nation； be abundant。
When it is real universally；
virtue is in all people。
All things are microcosms of the Tao；
the world a microcosmic universe；
the nation a microcosm of the world；
the village a microcosmic nation；
the family a village in microcosmic view；
and the body a microcosm of one's own family；
from single cell to galaxy。
55
MYSTERIOUS VIRTUE
He who has virtue is like a newborn child；
free from attack by those who dwell
in the way of nature； the way of the Tao。
The bones of the newborn child are soft；
his muscles supple； but his grip is firm；
he is whole； though not knowing he was born
of the creative and receptive way。
The way of nature is in the child；
so even when he shouts all day；
his throat does not grow hoarse or dry。
From constancy； there develops harmony；
and from harmony； enlightenment。
It is unwise to rush from here to there。
To hold one's breath causes the body strain；
exhaustion follows
when too much energy is used；
for this is not the natural way。
He who is in opposition to the Tao
does not live his natural years。
56
VIRTUOUS PASSIVITY
Those who know the natural way
have no need of boasting；
whilst those who know but little；
may be heard most frequently；
thus； the sage says little；
if anything at all。
Not demanding stimuli；
he tempers his sharpness well；
reduces the complex to simplicity；
hiding his brilliance； seemingly dull；
he settles the dust；
whilst in union with all natural things。
He who has attained enlightenment
（without contriving so to do）
is not concerned with making friends；
nor with making enemies；
with good or harm； with praise or blame。
Such detatchment is the highest state of man。
57
SIMPLIFICATION
With natural j