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Man models himself after Earth。 Earth models itself after Heaven。 Heaven models itself after Tao。 And Tao models itself after Nature。
26
The heavy is the root of the light。 The tranquil is the ruler of the hasty。
Therefore the sage travels all day Without leaving his baggage。 Even at the sight of magnificent scenes He remains leisurely and indifferent。
How is it that a lord with ten thousand chariots Should behave lightheartedly in his empire？
If he is lighthearted； the minister will be destroyed。 If he is hasty； the ruler is lost。
27
A good traveller leaves no track or trace。 A good speech leaves no flaws。 A good reckoner uses no counters。
A well…shut door needs no bolts； and yet it cannot be opened。 A well…tied knot needs no rope and yet none can untie it。
Therefore the sage is always good in saving men and consequently no man is rejected。 He is always good in saving things and consequently nothing is rejected。 This is called following the light （of Nature）。
Therefore the good man is the teacher of the bad； And the bad is the material from which the good may learn。
He who does not value the teacher； Or greatly care for the material； Is greatly deluded although he may be learned。 Such is the essential mystery。
28
He who knows the male and keeps to the female Becomes the ravine of the world。 Being the ravine of the world； He will never depart from eternal virtue； But returns to a state of infancy。
He who knows the white and yet keeps to the black Becomes the model for the world。 Being the model for the world； He will never deviate from eternal virtue； But returns to the state of the non…ultimate。
He who knows glory but keeps to humility Becomes the valley of the world； He will be proficient in eternal virtue； And returns to the state of simplicity （uncarved wood）。
When the uncarved wood is broken up； it is turned into concrete things。 But when the sage uses it； he becomes the leading official。 Therefore the great ruler does not cut up。
29
When one desires to take over the empire and act on it （interfere with it）； I see that he will not succeed。
The empire is a spiritual thing； and should not be acted on。 He who acts on it harms it。 He who holds on to it loses it。
Among creatures some lead and some follow。 Some blow hot and some blow cold。 Some are strong and some are weak。 Some may break and some may fall。
Therefore the sage discards the extremes； the extravagant； and the excessive。
30
He who assists the ruler with Tao does not dominate the world with force。 The use of force usually bring requital。
Wherever armies are stationed； briers and thorns grow。 Great wars are always followed by famines。
A good （general） achieves his purpose and stops； But dares not seek to dominate the world。
He achieves his purpose but does not brag about it。 He achieves his purpose but does not boast about it。 He achieves his purpose but is not proud of it。 He achieves his purpose but only as an unavoidable step。 He achieves his purpose but does not aim to dominate。
（For） after things reach their prime； they begin to grow old； Which means being contrary to Tao。 Whatever is contrary to Tao will soon perish。
31
Fine weapons are instruments of evil。 They are hated by men。 Therefore those who possess Tao turn away from them。
The good ruler when at home honours the left。 When at war he honours the right。
Weapons are instruments of evil； not the instruments of a good ruler。 When he uses them unavoidably； he regards calm restraint as the best principle。
Even when he is victorious； he does not regard it as praiseworthy； For to praise victory is to delight in the slaughter of men。 He who delights in the slaughter of men will not succeed in the empire。
In auspicious affairs； the left is honoured。 In inauspicious affairs； the right is honoured。 The lieutenant general stands on the left。 The senior general stands on the right。 This is to say that the arrangement follows that of funeral ceremonies。
For the slaughter of the multitude； let us weep with sorrow and grief。 For a victory； let us observe the occasion with funeral ceremonies。
32
Tao is eternal and has no name。 Though its simplicity seems insignificant； none in the world can master it。
If kings and barons would hold on to it； all things would submit to the spontaneously。
Heaven and earth unite to drip sweet dew。 Without the command of men； its drips evenly over all。
As soon as there were regulations and institutions； there were names。 As soon as there were names； know that it is time to stop。 It is by knowing when to stop that one can be free from danger。
Analogically； Tao in the world may be compared to rivers and streams running into the sea。
33
He who knows others is wise； He who knows himself is enlightened。
He who conquers others has physical strength。 He who conquers himself is strong。
He who is contented is rich。 He who acts with vigour has will。
He who does not lose his place （with Tao） will endure。 He who dies but does not really perish enjoys long life。
34
The Great Tao flows everywhere。 It may go left or right。
All things depend on it for life； and it does not turn away from them。 It accomplishes its task； but does not claim credit for it。 It clothes and feeds all things but does not claim to be master over them。
Always without desires it may be called the Small。
All things come to it and it does not master them； it may be called the Great。
Therefore （the sage） never strives himself for the great； and thereby the great is achieved。
35
Hold fast to the great form （Tao）； And all the world will come。 They come and will encounter no harm； But enjoy comfort； peace； and health。
When there are music and dainties； Passing strangers will stay。
But the words uttered by Tao； How insipid and tasteless！ We look at it； it is imperceptible。 We listen to it； it is inaudible。 We use it； 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 destroy； It is necessary first to promote。 In order to grasp； It is necessary first to give。
This is called subtle light。 The weak and the tender overcome the hard and the strong。
Fish should not be taken away from water。 And sharp weapons of state should not be displayed to the people。
37
Tao invariably takes no action； and yet there is nothing left undone。
If kings and barons can keep it； all things will transform spontaneously。 If； after transformation； they should desire to be active； I would restrain them with simplicity； which has no name。
Simplicity； which has no name； is free of desires； Being free of desires； it is tranquil。 And the world will be at peace of its own accord。
38
The man of superior virtue is not （conscious of） his virtue； And in this way he really possesses virtue。 The man of inferior virtue never loses （sight of） his virtue； And in this way he loses his virtue。
The man of superior vir