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Cultivate this in our nations and their spirits will be plentiful。
Cultivate this in our world and its spirit will be universal。
Therefore：
It takes a person to understand a person。
It takes a family to understand a family。
It takes a village to understand a village。
It takes a nation to understand a nation。
It takes a world to understand a world。
How do I know the nature of all things under Heaven？
It is because I use this method。
55
Baby Power： Spontaneity
Those who possess the mysterious inner power
are like the red bottomed baby
whom poisonous insects do not sting；
whom savage beasts do not seize；
whom birds of prey do not attack。
Their bones are weak； and their muscles soft；
but their grasp is firm。
Sex has not been experienced； yet they get sexually excited；
and are full of vital energy。
They can cry all day without getting hoarse；
because the vital energy is in perfect balance。
Having perfect balance is equanimity。
To have equanimity is to know the light。
To thrive in life is fortunate。
Those who use their mind to direct their energy are strong。
What flourishes must fade； and this is not the Tao；
for all things not with the Tao will meet with an early end。
56
Non…Attainment： Only entertainment
Those who know； don抰 speak about it。
Those who speak about it； don抰 know。
Cease the idle chatter。 Close the doors。
Blunt what is sharp。 Untie the knots。
Blend with the light。 Be at one with the dusty world。
This is called Profound Unity。
We cannot attain this and think of it as something personal to us。
Nor can we attain this and think of it as something apart from us。
We cannot attain this and think we have gained anything。
Nor can we attain this and think we have lost anything。
We cannot attain this and think of it as valuable。
Nor can we attain this and think of it as worthless。
This is why the Tao is honored throughout the world。
57
Leave Well Enough Alone： Doing nothing
Use justice to rule the country。
Use surprise to deploy the army。
Use non…interference to deal with the world。
How do I know the nature of things？
I use these truths：
When there are many taboos and restrictions in the world；
people are poorer for it。
When people have many weapons；
the country will fall into chaos。
When people use tricks and deceit；
strange things happen。
When laws and regulations become the most important thing；
there will be more thieves and bandits around。
So wise people say：
I do nothing and people transform by themselves。
I am tranquil and people do right by themselves。
I do not meddle and people enrich themselves。
I want for nothing and people simplify their lives。
58
Great Expectations： No rules； no regulations
When government is restrained； people are pure and simple。
When government is meddlesome； people are found wanting。
Disaster arises from good fortune。
Good fortune hides within disaster。
Who can say how things will turn out in the end？
Life is just not fair。
Normal becomes abnormal。 Good becomes evil。
People are as confused as the day is long。
This is why wise people
are straight with us； but do not put us down。
Are honest but not hurtful。
Are direct but not reckless。
Are bright but not flashy。
59
Exercising Restraint： Developing personal power
When governing people and serving Heaven
there is nothing like restraint。
Being restrained means being prepared。
Being prepared means the continuous
accumulation of personal power。
When we are constantly accumulating personal power
there is nothing we cannot do。
When there is nothing we cannot do；
then we will know no limits。
If we have no limitations； we can rule a country。
If we rule our country like a mother； we will last a long time。
It is said： Planting deep roots； makes for a strong trunk。
This is the Way of Long Life of Lasting Awareness。
60
Exorcising Demons： Rendering evil influences harmless
Ruling a large country is like cooking small fish。
When we use the Tao to deal with the world；
demons have no spiritual power。
It is not that demons have no spiritual power；
but that they have no effect on people。
Their spiritual power will do no harm；
just as the wise one does no harm。
When both of them are not causing harm；
their powers are restored in a harmonious union。
61
Balance of Power： Large and small countries
A large country； like a river estuary；
is the gathering place of the world：
It is the womb of the world。
The female principle uses gentleness
to overcome the male aggression。
Gentleness is low key。
So when a large country defers to a small country；
it gains influence in the small country。
And when a small country defers to a large country；
it gains influence in the large country。
So either accept a subordinate position and gain influence
or assume a subordinate position and gain influence。
A large country cannot ignore its wish to nurture
and nourish many people at the same time；
just as a small country cannot ignore its wish
to join in with other people。
Thus they both get what they want；
and so it is fitting for the larger country to act with humility。
62
Every Breath We Take： A grand display or a sincere gesture？
The Tao is the shelter and the refuge of all things。
It is the treasure of the good and the protector of the bad。
People get respect by being polite；
and correct behavior increases their status。
Why expect those we may not approve of to abandon such practices？
When the Son of Heaven is crowned
and the three chief ministers are appointed；
even though we present them with handfuls of jade amulets
and seals carried before a team of four horses；
it is not as good as kneeling down
and making this Tao our presentation。
Why did the ancient ones so value this Tao？
Did they not say：
The seeker finds； and the guilty are forgiven？
Therefore it is the most valued thing in the world。
63
In Easy Stages： How to handle a difficult task
Act without putting on an act。
Do things without getting entangled in them。
Taste that which has no flavor。
Whether big or small； many or few；
respond to hatred with understanding。
Take on the difficult by doing what is easy。
Take on the big by doing what is small。
In the world； difficult tasks should be done in easy stages。
In the world； big affairs should be broken down into their details。
That is why to the very end； wise people make no big deal of things； and that is how big things get done。
Promises lightly made are hardly trusted。
The easier it looks the more difficult it probably