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By not showing
what people would like to have；
you will cause the people's hearts
to remain undisturbed。
（When people are not tempted to own things they do not desire things。）
Therefore； the Complete Thinker's way of governing begins by
Emptying the heart of wants；
Filling the belly with food；
Relaxing the ambitions； （not creating a temptation）；
Toughening the bones； （guiding a healthful life）。
In this way will cause
the people to remain
without strategy
and without desire；
and prevent the knowing ones
from causing any trouble。
Practice doing things at the Proper Speed； and everything
will be in order。
4
The Tao （the Law of the Universe） is like
an empty bowl。
Which in being used
can never be filled up
。 So deep it
cannot be measured；
it is the
origin of all things。
It blurs
all sharp edges；
It unties
all tangles；
It blends
all lights；
It unites the world
into one whole。
Hidden
in the depths；
Yet it seems to
exist for ever。
I do not know
whose child it is；
It is the common ancestor
of all；
the father of all things。
（It is the Universal Laws from the beginning of our Universe）；
To live by these Laws is to
live in harmony with our
True Nature。
5
Heaven…and…Earth is
not sentimental；
It treats all things
like straw dogs
（equal）。
The Complete Thinker is
not sentimental；
Treats all people
as straw dogs
（ equally）。
Between Heaven and Earth；
There seems to be
a Bellows：
It is empty；
yet it can
not be emptied；
The more it works；
the more comes
out of it。
The Complete Thinker
draws upon the universal experience
thus cannot be exhausted。
Better look for it
within you。
The Tao （the Laws of the Universe） is
in all that exists。
6
The Spirit of
the Valley dies not。
It is called
the Secret
which is Filled with
womanly qualities。
The Gateway of the
Secret is
Filled with womanly qualities
Is called
the Womb of Heaven…and…Earth。
Staying like
a fog；
it has only a
hint that it is there；
And yet when you
use it；
it is always there
without end。
7
Heaven lasts long； and
Earth lasts。
What is the secret of
their lasting？
Is it not because
they do not live for themselves
That they can
live so long？
The Complete Thinker wants to
remain behind；
But is found at
the head of others；
Ignores his desires；
But is found
content。
Is it not because
of selflessness
That True Self is realized？
8
The highest form of
goodness is like water。
Water knows how to
benefit all things
without contention。
It flows to places
others disdain。
It comes near the Tao （the Laws of the Universe）。
In choosing your dwelling；
know how to keep the ground。
In cultivating your mind；
know how to dive
in the hidden depths。
In dealing with others；
know how to be
gentle and kind。
Speak within
trust。
In governing；
know how to
maintain order。
In transacting business；
know how to
be efficient。
In making a move；
know how to
choose the right moment。
If you
do not contend；
none contend
against you。
9
Fill a cup
to its brim；
it is easy
to spill。
Do not
over do the task；
close it。
Temper a sword throughout
to its hardest；
and it is easily broken。
Fill your house
with gold and
jade；
it can not
be guarded。
（Do not tempt
others for
someone will
give in to temptation。）
Set store
by your riches and
honor；
you easily fall。
This is the Tao
（the Laws of the Universe）：
When your purpose is achieved retire。
10
In keeping the spirit
and the vital soul
together；
Are you able to
maintain their perfect blending？
Breath gently
and become newborn。
Clear your inner vision；
and become clear。
In loving your people and
governing your state；
Are you able to
be impartial？
In opening and shutting
of heaven's gate（your heart）；
you become
accepted。
Enlightened and
seeing
far into all directions；
Can you at the same time
remain not involved and
not interfere？
Raise your people with care！
Feed your people！
Raise them without saying
they are your own！
Do your work
without setting
any value to it！
Be one to be followed；
not one who commands！
This is called Hidden Powers。
This is true harmony。
11
Thirty Spokes
converge upon a single hub；
It is on
the hole in the center
that the use
of the cart hinges。
We make a bowl or cup
from a lump of clay；
It is the empty space
within the vessel
that makes it useful。
We make doors
and windows
for a room；
It is the
empty spaces
that make the
room livable。
Thus；
Take advantage of
what is visible；
By making use of
What is not visible。
12
The five colors
blind the eye。
The five tones
deafen the ear
。 The five flavors
stick to the palate。
Racing and hunting
make crazy the mind。
Temptations make men do wrong。
The Complete Thinker
takes care of
the hunger；
not the senses。
Prefers
the substance within
not the illusion。
13
〃Welcome disgrace
as a pleasant surprise。
Prize misfortunes
as your own body。〃
Why should we
〃welcome disgrace
as a pleasant surprise〃？
Because a lowly state is a boon：
Getting it is a pleasant surprise；
And so is losing it！
That is why we should
〃welcome disgrace
as a pleasant surprise。〃
Why should we
〃prize misfortunes
as our own body〃？
Because our body
is the very source
of our misfortunes
。 If we have no body；
what misfortunes
can we have？
Only he
who is willing to
give their body
for the sake of the world
is fit to be
entrusted
with the world。
Only they
who can do it
with love
and regard themselves
as the world
are worthy of being
the steward of the world。
This lesson is known
by all Complete Thinkers。
14
Look at it
but you cannot see it！
Its name is Formless。
Listen to it
but you cannot hear it！
Its name is Soundless
。 Try to hold it
but you cannot get it！
Its name is Incorporeal。
These three attributes
are to deep to measure；
They mix together
into one。
Its upper side is not bright：
Its under side is not dim。
Always the Not Namable
moves