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The sages are not sentimental； thus they act toward the hundred families （everyone） as if they are straw dogs。
The space between Heaven and Earth is like the space inside of a flute！
It is hollow； yet does not get exhausted。
The more active it is； the more it produces。
Too many words bring about exhaustion。
It is better to hold your center。
* Straw dog： A sacrificial straw sculpture in the shape of a dog that was carefully maintained until it was used and then it was discarded。
6
The valley of the divine never dies so says the mysterious female。
The mysterious female of the gate speaks of Heaven and Earth's origin。
Soft； silky； and barely visible； her divine center is inexhaustible。
7
Heaven is eternal； the Earth is enduring。
There is a reason why Heaven and Earth are eternal and enduring。
It is because they do not live for themselves。
Thus； they give life everlasting。
The sage puts their own life second； and their body first。
They reject their self； and the body remains。
Surely； there is no self…interest。
Power and accomplishment are self…interest。
8
Supreme goodness follows the natural laws of the earth like water。
This goodness benefits the ten…thousand things （everything）； yet it does not struggle。
It rejects the lowest place that people go。
This is why nature can be compared with the Tao。
The Earth is a good place to live with its profound good heart。
It is best to deal with others humanely。
Sincere speech is best。
A just government is best。
Competent service to others is best。
There is a proper timing for best actions。
The masters do not compete； therefore they will be without fault。
9
It is better to stop than to hold and overfill a cup。
A blade hammered to a sharp edge does not long endure。
If you fill your house with gold and jade； no one can guard this wealth； honor； and pride。
What follows is your downfall。
Withdraw when your work is done。
This is Heaven抯 Tao。
10
Hold and manage the soul of the body。
Embrace the One （the Source） with the power of not…separation！
Concentrate your chi （vital force） to attain the gentle power of a newborn infant！
Cleanse and purify your deep （inner） perception so it can be without flaws！
Cherish the people。
Govern the country with the power of emptiness！
As heaven抯 gate opens and closes （as life changes） retain the ability to act like a mother bird caring for her young！
Illuminate the purity of the four directions。
Open up to the power of not doing* （wu wei）！
It gives life from the Source。
It gives life and does not posses。
It acts and does not presume。
It increases and does not rule。
This speaks of the mysterious action of the soul。
* Not doing is the practice of letting your soul lead your actions by stepping back and not interfering。
11
Thirty spokes unite one hub。
Because of its emptiness； the wheel is useful。
Mold the clay and make a vessel。
Because of its emptiness； the vessel is useful。
Cut out windows and doors to build a room。
Because of its emptiness； the room is useful。
Benefits emerge。
Emptiness makes it useful。
12
The eyes can become blind to the five colors。
The ears can become deaf to the five notes。
The mouth can become dull to the five tastes。
Too much hunting in a field over excites the heart and mind。
Precious goods hinder one抯 activities。
The sages attend to their souls； not to what their eyes see。
They discard the latter and take hold of the former。
13
Take on shame； fear； and disappointment with trepidation。
Take on your great misfortune with your body。
Why talk about shame； fear； and disappointment？
Favor acting from below。
Gain； it comes with fear。
Loss； it comes with fear。
This tells you about taking on shame； fear； and disappointment。
Why talk about your body taking on your great misfortune？
By means of the great misfortune； you are in a position for your body to emerge through reaching a state of not…self （emptiness）。
You emerge。
This is why misfortune is reason to honor your body。
The action of Heaven below （the sacred body） can be trusted。
Heaven below expresses humanity through its actions
The action of Heaven below can be entrusted to Heaven below。
14
Look for it and you will not see it； its name is called invisible。
Listen for it and it cannot be heard； its name is called soundless。
Try to touch it and you will not be able to grasp it； its name is called formless。
It will do you no good to scrutinize these three。
They merge and become one。
Those above are not light。
Those below are not dark。
An unbroken thread。 An unbroken thread that cannot be named。
It again returns to the original state。
It is a shape without a shape。
It is an image without substance。
This is called illusory and inexplicable。
Go toward it and you do not see its face。
Follow it and you do not see its back。
Retain the ancient ways of the Tao in order to take hold of the present。
You have the power to know the Source。
This is called the Tao抯 unbroken thread。
15
The masters* of ancient times could penetrate subtle mysteries too intense to be comprehended。
Students** of the Tao are truly not able to understand and feel compelled to describe these mysterious qualities。
Be hesitant； like crossing a river in winter。
Watchful！ Like standing in awe of all four directions。
Reserved！ And behave like a guest。
Yielding！ Like melting ice。
Genuine！ Like the natural state of uncarved wood or uncut jade。
Empty！ Like a valley。
Turbulence！ Like churning waters。
Who can be still and slowly calm the churning waters？
Who can be tranquil with this motion to insure the gradual birth？
The Tao is not depleted by deep…seated desires。
Separation from deep…seated desires is not new。
It completes。
* person who knows all from 1 to 10 （1 indicates Heaven； and 10 indicates being centered in the four directions）
** upstanding community member who is trying to do things correctly。
16
Attain the highest emptiness。
Keep a constant stillness。
Ten…thousand things （everything） come into being and flourish in unison。
I witness the return。
Now all things can flourish； flourish。
Every one is restored and returns to the origin。
The return to the origin is known as stillness。
This is called a return to life。
Repeating life is known as eternal。
Perceiving the eternal speaks of the light。
Not perceiving the eternal is an error that brings calamity。
Experience of the eternal is all…embracing。
The all…embracing opens and reveals。
The act of revealing connects Heaven； Humanity and Earth。
The act of connecting Heaven； Humanity and Earth is heaven。
Heaven is th