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This is called the bond of Tao。
15
Of old those who were the best rulers were subtly mysterious and profoundly penetrating； Too deep to comprehend。
And because they cannot be comprehended； I can only describe them arbitrarily： Cautious； like crossing a frozen stream in the winter； Being at a loss； like one fearing danger on all sides； Reserved； like one visiting；
Supple and pliant； like ice about to melt。 Genuine； like a piece of uncarved wood； Open and broad； like a valley； Merged and undifferentiated； like muddy water。
Who can make muddy water gradually clear through tranquillity？ Who can make the still gradually come to life through activity？
He who embraces this Tao does not want to fill himself to overflowing。 It is precisely because there is no overflowing that he is beyond wearing out and renewal。
16
Attain complete vacuity。 Maintain steadfast quietude。
All things come into being； And I see thereby their return。 All things flourish； But each one returns to its root。
This return to its root means tranquillity。 It is called returning to its destiny。 To return to destiny is called the eternal （Tao）。 To know the eternal is called enlightenment。 Not to know the eternal is to act blindly to result in disaster。
He who knows the eternal is all…embracing。 Being all…embracing； he is impartial。 Being impartial； he is kingly （universal）。 Being kingly； he is one with Nature。 Being one with Nature； he is in accord with Tao。
Being in accord with Tao； he is everlasting And is free from danger throughout his lifetime。
17
The best （rulers） are those whose existence is （merely） known by the people。 The next best are those who are loved and praised。 The next are those who are feared。 And the next are those who are despised。
It is only when one does not have enough faith in others that others will have no faith in him。
（The great rulers） value their words highly。 They accomplish their task； they complete their work。 Nevertheless their people say that they simply follow Nature。
18
When the great Tao declined； The doctrine of humanity and righteousness arose。
When knowledge and wisdom appeared； There emerged great hypocrisy。
When the six family relationships are not in harmony； There will be the advocacy of filial piety and deep love to children。
When a country is in disorder； There will be the praise of loyal ministers。
19
Abandon sageliness and discard wisdom； Then the people will benefit a hundredfold。
Abandon humanity and discard righteousness； Then the people will return to filial piety and deep love。
Abandon skill and discard profit； Then there will be no thieves or robbers。
However； these three things are ornaments （wen） and are not adequate。
Therefore let people hold on to these： Manifest plainness； Embrace simplicity； Reduce selfishness； Have few desires。
20
Abandon learning and there will be no sorrow。 How much difference is there between 〃Yes； sir；〃 and 〃Of course not〃？ How much difference is there between 〃good〃 and 〃evil〃？
What people dread； do not fail to dread。 But； alas； how confused； and the end is not yet。
The multitude are merry； as though feasting on a day of sacrifice。 Or like ascending a tower in the springtime。 I alone am inert； showing no sign （of desires）； Like an infant that has not yet smiled。 Wearied； indeed； I seem to be without a home。
The multitude all possess more than enough。 I alone seem to have lost all。 Mine is indeed the mind of an ignorant man； Indiscriminate and dull！
Common folks are indeed brilliant； I alone seem to be in the dark。 Common folks see differences and are clear…cut； I alone make no distinctions。 I seem drifting as the sea； Like the wind blowing about； seemingly without destination。
The multitude all have a purpose； I alone seem to be stubborn and rustic。 I alone differ from others； And value drawing sustenance from Mother （Tao）。
21
The all…embracing quality of the great virtue follows alone from the Tao。
The thing that is called Tao is eluding and vague。 Vague and eluding； there is in it the form。 Eluding and vague； in it are things。 Deep and obscure； in it is the essence。 The essence is very real； in it are evidences。
From the time of old until now； its name （manifestations） ever remains。 By which we may see the beginning of all things。
How do I know that the beginning of all things are so？ Through this （Tao）。
22
To yield is to be preserved whole。 To be bent is to become straight。 To be empty is to be full。 To be worn out is to be renewed。 To have little is to possess。 To have plenty is to be perplexed。
Therefore the sage embraces the One And becomes the model of the world。
He does not justify himself； therefore he becomes prominent。 He does not boast of himself； therefore he is given credit。 He does not brag； therefore he can endure for long。
It is precisely because he does not compete that the world cannot compete with him。
Is the ancient saying； 〃To yield is to be preserved whole；〃 empty words？ Truly he will be preserved and （prominence and credit） will come to him。
23
Nature says few words。 For the same reason a whirlwind does not last a whole morning。 Nor does a rainstorm last a whole day。
What causes them？ It is Heaven and Earth （Nature）。 If even Heaven and Earth cannot make them last long； How much less can man？
Therefore he who follows Tao is identified with Tao。 He who follows virtue is identified with virtue。 He who abandons （Tao） is identified with the abandonment （of Tao）。 He who is identified with Tao … Tao is also happy to have him。
He who is identified with virtue … virtue is also happy to have him。 And he who is identified with the abandonment （of Tao） … the abandonment （of Tao） is also happy to abandon him。
Those who lack trust will not be trusted。 It is only when one does not have enough faith in others that others will have no faith in him。
24
He who stands on tiptoe is not steady。 He who strides forward does not go。
He who shows himself is not luminous。 He who justifies himself is not prominent。
He who boasts of himself is not given credit。 He who brags does not endure for long。
From the point of view of Tao； these are like remnants of food and tumours of action； Which all creatures detest。 Therefore those who possess Tao turn away from them。
25
There was something undifferentiated and yet complete； Which existed before heaven and earth。 Soundless and formless； it depends on nothing and does not change。 It operates everywhere and is free from danger。 It may be considered the mother of the universe。
I do not know its name； I call it Tao。 If forced to give it a name； I shall call it Great。
Now being great means functioning everywhere。 Functioning everywhere means far…reaching。 Being far…reaching means returning to the original point。
Therefore Tao is great Heaven is great。 Earth is great。 And the king is also great。
Man models himself after Earth。 Earth models itself after Heaven。 Heaven models itself after Tao。 And Tao models