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There are four supremes in the universe；
and the person is one of them。
The person reflects the earth。
The earth reflects heaven。
Heaven reflects the Way。
And the Way reflects its own nature。
26
Gravity is the foundation of levity。
Serenity masters hastiness。
Therefore the wise travel all day
without leaving their baggage。
In the midst of honor and glory
they remain leisurely and calm；
How can a leader of a great country
behave lightheartedly and frivolously？
In frivolity； the foundation is lost。
In hasty action； self…mastery is lost。
27
A good traveler leaves no trace。
A good speaker makes no slips。
A good accountant uses no devices。
A good door needs no bolts to remain shut。
A good fastener needs no rope to hold its bond。
Therefore the wise are good at helping people；
and consequently no one is rejected。
They are good at saving things；
and consequently nothing is wasted。
This is called using the Light。
Therefore the good teach the bad；
and the bad are lessons for the good。
Those who neither value the teacher nor care for the lesson
are greatly deluded； though they may be learned。
Such is the essential mystery。
28
Know the male and keep to the female。
Become the valley of the world。
Being the valley of the world is eternal power
and returning to the innocence of a baby。
Know the bright and keep to the obscure。
Become an example for the world。
Being an example for the world is eternal power
and returning to the infinite。
Know glory and keep to humility。
Become the valley of the world。
Being the valley of the world is eternal power
and returning to the natural。
Breaking up the natural makes instruments。
The wise use them and become leaders。
Therefore a leader does not break。
29
Those who take over the world and act upon it；
I notice； do not succeed。
The world is a sacred vessel； not to be tampered with。
Those who tamper with it； spoil it。
Those who seize it； lose it。
Some lead； and some follow。
Some blow hot； and some blow cold。
Some are strong； and some are weak。
Some are up； and some are down。
Therefore the wise avoid excess； extravagance； and pride。
30
Whoever advises a leader according to the Way
opposes conquest by force of arms。
The use of force tends to rebound。
Where armies march； thorns and brambles grow。
Whenever a great army is formed； scarcity and famine follow。
The skillful achieve their purposes and stop。
They dare not rely on force。
They achieve their purposes； but do not glory in them。
They achieve their purposes； but do not celebrate them。
They achieve their purposes； but do not take pride in them。
They achieve their purposes； but without violence。
Things reach their prime and then decline。
Violence is contrary to the Way。
Whatever is contrary to the Way will soon perish。
31
Weapons are tools of destruction hated by people。
Therefore followers of the Way never use them。
In peace leaders favor the creative left。
In war they favor the destructive right。
Weapons are tools of destruction；
not used by good leaders。
When their use cannot be avoided；
the best policy is calm restraint。
Even in victory there is no glory。
Those who celebrate victory delight in slaughter。
Those who delight in slaughter
will not be successful leaders。
The killing of many should be mourned with sorrow。
A victory should be celebrated with funeral ceremonies。
32
The Way is absolute and undefined。
Like natural uncarved wood in simplicity；
yet none in the world can overcome it。
If leaders would hold to it；
the whole world would serve them spontaneously。
Heaven and earth join； and gentle rain falls；
beyond the command of anyone； evenly upon all。
When civilization arose； names began。
With names； one should know when to stop。
Knowing when to stop； frees one from danger。
The Way in the world is like
rivers and streams flowing into the sea。
33
Those who know others are wise。
Those who know themselves are enlightened。
Those who overcome others require force。
Those who overcome themselves need strength。
Those who are content are wealthy。
Those who persevere have will power。
Those who do not lose their center endure。
Those who die but maintain their power live eternally。
34
The great Way flows everywhere； both left and right。
All things derive their life from it；
and it does not turn away from them。
It accomplishes its work； but does not take possession。
It provides for and nourishes everything；
but does not control them。
Always without desires； it may be considered small。
The destination of all things； yet claiming nothing；
it may be considered great。
Because it never claims greatness；
its greatness is achieved。
35
Hold to the great form； and all the world follows；
following without meeting harm；
in health； peace； and happiness。
Music and delicacies to eat induce travelers to stay。
But the Way is mild to the taste。
Looked at； it is invisible。
Listened to； it is inaudible。
Applied； it is inexhaustible。
36
In order to contract； it is necessary first to expand。
In order to weaken； it is necessary first to strengthen。
In order to reduce； it is necessary first to build up。
In order to receive； it is necessary first to give。
This is called the mystic Light。
The soft and gentle overcome the hard and strong。
As fish stay in the deep water；
so sharp weapons of the state should not be displayed。
37
The Way never interferes；
yet through it everything is done。
If leaders would follow the Way；
the world would be reformed of its own accord。
When reformed and desiring to act；
let them be restrained by what is simply natural。
Undefined simplicity is free of desires。
Being free of desires； it is serene；
and the world finds peace of its own accord。
38
Superior power does not emphasize its power；
and thus is powerful。
Inferior power never forgets its power；
and thus is powerless。
Superior power never interferes nor has an ulterior motive。
Inferior power interferes and has an ulterior motive。
Superior humanity takes action but has no ulterior motive。
Superior morality takes action and has an ulterior motive。
Superior custom takes action； and finding no response；
stretches out arms to force it on them。
Therefore when the Way is lost； power arises。
When power is lost； humanity arises。
When humanity is lost； morality arises。
When morality is lost； custom arises。
Now custom is a superficial expression
of loyalty and faithfulness； and the beginning of disorder。
Forek