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26: Graveness of Gravity
Heaviness is the root of lightness. Stillness is the master of movement.
Thus the master travels all day without leaving home, and never loses touch with her loaded cart. However splendid the views, she remains serenely in herself.
Why should the lord of the country, with ten thousand chariots, flit about like a fool? If you let yourself be blown to and fro, you lose touch with your root.
If you allow restlessness to move you, you lose self control.
27: Skilful Journeying
A good traveller is not intent upon arriving. A good speaker makes no mistakes. A good accountant needs no counting tools. A good lock has no bolt. A good knot has no string. The good artisan has freed herself of concepts and keeps her mind open to intuition.
Thus-wise the master is available to all people and does not reject anyone. She is ready to see opportunity in all situations and does not allow an opportunity to save another person go by. This is called ‘Passing the Light’.
What is a good person but a bad person’s teacher? What is a bad person but a good person’s task? One who does not honour their teacher, or appreciates a lesson, is lost in the maze of the self. However intelligent you may be, this essential and subtle mystery is the key.
28: Simply Single
One who knows the male yet keeps to the female receives the birth of the world in their inner void. Such one is in union with eternal virtue and is reborn, returning to the state of the newborn babe.
One who knows the white (yang, male), yet keeps to the black (yin, female) becomes a pattern for the world.62 As a pattern for the world, you imitate the Tao and your wisdom becomes unerring. And you return to the infinite.
One who knows the personal, yet keeps to the impersonal becomes the void in which the world is accepted as is. Being the void one’s wisdom becomes sufficient. And you return to the simplicity of your primal self.
Yet, from the void the world is shaped. Like a work of art created in the artisan’s mind.
The master knows the tools for carving the world, yet keeps to virgin simplicity: knowing better not to be dualistic.
29: Non-Action
One may feel compelled to improve on the world? I don’t think it can be done.
The world is a sacred vessel. It can not be improved. If you tamper with it, you will ruin it.63 If you take hold of it, you lose it.
There is a time for being ahead, a time for being behind; a time for being in motion, a time for being at rest; a time for being vigorous, a time for being exhausted; a time for being safe, a time for being in danger.64
Knowing this the master avoids extremes, refusing to want to control. She lets them, and resides at the centre of the circle.65
30: Moderation of Force
Imitating the Tao, in governing humans, it is alien to resort to force to resolve issues or defeat an enemy. Every force employed invites a counter force.
A show of force, like an encamped army, only causes weeds and thorns to start growing. Even well intentioned violence rebounds to cause unintended dysfunction.66
The master performs his task and then stops. He understands that chaos is inherent in the ordered flow of the Tao. He does not grab, or resort to force; this is against the current.
In faith he acts, not trying to control but to serve. Because he is content with this, he does not need the approval of others. He performs his task as his duty. He achieves results by duty, not by force.
Strong things soon grow weak. This is contrary to the Tao.67
Contrary to the Tao leads to destruction.
31: Against the use of Force
Weapons are the tools of violence; all good people detest them.
Weapons are the tools of fear; good people avoid them except in utmost necessity. In employing them, they will use them with the utmost restraint.
There is no beauty in victory. Anyone who sees beauty in slaughter will never win the world.68
The good fighter enters battle gravely, with sorrow and with great compassion, as if he were attending a funeral, knowing well what the outcome of violence will be.
Celebrate victories with funeral rites.69
32: Holy Cycle
Tao, being eternal and unfathomable is ultimately humble in Its simplicity.70 Yet no one can control it.
If powerful people can abide in it, all beings shall gratefully do likewise.
Then heaven will be on earth. In harmony with Tao sweet dew will rain on the land. People will be at peace, the law of heaven written in their hearts.
In structuring and creating institutions names and forms must come about. But know where to stop.71
Knowing this, danger is averted and sorrow spared.
All things end in the Tao as rivers flow into the sea.
33: Values
One who knows others is wise. One who knows one-self is enlightened.
One who conquers others is strong. One who conquers self is powerful.
One who knows when enough is had is truly wealthy.
One who has self-discipline is sincere.
One who remains centred endures.
One who dies yet does not perish becomes immortal.72
34: Inherent Perfection
The great Tao flows everywhere. Through the Yin and to the Yang.
All depend on it, and none are refused.
It flows into its task, nourishing infinite worlds, clothing and feeding,73 yet it does not claim ownership or allegiance.74
Eternally without need, claiming nothing, it is ultimately humble.
Yet as all things naturally flow back into it, it is truly Great.
The master therefore never tries to be great, and is thus truly great.75
35: Attitude of Benevolence
Centred in the Tao she moves anywhere, without thought of danger. At peace with the universal harmony, even amid great pain, she comes to no harm.
Music or the smell of good cooking may make people pause and linger to savour its pleasure . But words that point to the Tao seem monotonous and without flavour.76
When you look for it, there is nothing to see. When you listen for it, there is nothing to hear. When you use it, it is inexhaustible.77
36: Mystical Light
Something to be shrunk, must first be expanded.
Something to be weakened, must first be strengthened.
Something to be destroyed, must first be allowed to flourish.
Something to be had, must first be given.
Perceiving this subtlety is like taking in the dim light.
Soft conquers the hard. Weak conquers the strong.78
Just as fish should keep to deep waters, so too the master’s power be kept within.
37: The Way of Authorities
The Tao never acts, yet through it all things are done.79
If powerful people could preserve it in themselves, the whole world would be transformed by flowing in with its natural rhythm; simple in its harmony.
Simplicity abolishes desires and the world is set upon its natural path.
38: On Virtue
The master is not conscious of being virtuous; thus he is truly virtuous. Another person keeps reaching for it; and finds it impossible.
The master does not interfere, and has no motive to do so.80
Kindheartedness interferes without motive of gain.
Righteousness interferes with motive of gain.
Moral legalism interferes, and failing to achieve the required response lifts its arms resorting to violence.
Therefore when the Tao is lost sight of, and virtue disappears, there is still kindheartedness. But when kindheartedness is lost, there is still righteousness. But when righteousness is lost, the mere show of loyalty and virtue, then there is still superstitious traditionalism.81 When traditionalism appears, which is the proven husk of true faith, chaos begins.
Therefore the master concerns herself with the deep mysteries and not the surface symbols, with the fruit and not the flower. Devoid of illusions, concerned with the cause and not the symptom, she rejects the flower and savours the fruit.
39: Basis of Law
Masters since antiquity gained unity, and the skies became clear.82
Since antiquity masters attained singleness and the earth became steady.
Masters who gained oneness became the void, filled to completeness.
Spirits in union with the One became divine.
Creatures imbued by the One have gained life.
Noble persons knowing of the One became examples.83
All of these gained by the same source; without which the skies would become murky, the earth would become unsteady, the masters would perish, the void would remain barren, spirits would cease being, creatures would become extinct, nobles would lose nobility.
See, the honourable is rooted in the humble.
The master views the parts with compassion, because he understand the whole.84 His constant practice is humility. He doesn’t glitter like a polished jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Tao, as rugged and common as stone.
40: Movement and Function
Cyclic return is the movement of Tao.85 Yielding is the way of the Tao.86
All things are born of Being. Being is born of Non-Being.87
41: Similarity in Difference
When a superior person hears about the Tao, she immediately begins to embody it. When an average person hears about the Tao, he half believes it, half doubts it. When foolish people hear about the Tao, they laugh out loud. If they did not laugh, it would not be Tao.
That is why it is said: ‘He who understands Tao seems amazed by it.’
‘He who advances toward Tao seems to be retreating from it.’
‘The path to serenity seems stormy, the direct path seems long.’
‘True power seems weak, true purity seems tarnished, vast goodness seems inadequate, true steadfastness seems changeable, true clarity seems obscure, vast space has no corners, the highest note cannot be heard, the greatest Form can not be seen, the greatest love seems indifferent, the greatest wisdom seems childish.’
‘The Tao is nameless and nowhere to be found.88 Yet it nourishes and completes all things.’
42: Tao and Change
The Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to Two. Two gives birth to Three. Three gives birth to all things.89
All things carry Yin and embrace Yang. The two breaths blend and produce harmony.90
Ordinary people hate solitude and poverty.91 But the master embraces it. Alone but for the company of all in the universes, possessing nothing but all universes, the master is content not to want more.
Intended benevolence sometimes causes harm, intended violence sometimes causes benefit. Thus in seemingly losing much is gained, and in seemingly gaining, much is lost.
What others have taught, I also teach: ‘The strong and violent will die an unnatural death’, this is my chief lesson92.
43: Law of Humility
The gentlest thing in the world overcomes the hardest thing in the world.93 That which has no substance enters where there is no space. This, to me, explains the value of non-action.94
Teaching without words, performing without actions: that is the master’s way.
44: Luxury of Abstinence
Fame or integrity: which is more important?
Money or happiness: which is more valuable?
Success or failure: which is worse?95
Desire is bound to cause great expense.
Hoarding is bound to cause great loss.
The master, having ended the desire, does not look to things or money or other people for happiness.96
45: True Virtue
True perfection seems imperfect, its usefulness lasts forever. True fullness seems empty, its usefulness is inexhaustible.
True straightness seems crooked. True skill seems easy. True art seems artless.
Cold overcomes heat.
Non-movement overcomes movement.
The master allows things to happen. Purity and stillness is the standard of the universes.
46: Moderation of Needs
When a people are in harmony with the Tao, vehicles are used for farming, and factories produce trucks.
When a people turn against the Tao, vehicles and factories are set for war outside the cities.
There is no greater illusion than fear, no greater sin than yielding to desires. There is no greater misfortune than not knowing contentment, no fault greater than desiring after wealth.97
Therefore, know contentment! Whoever can see through all fear will always be content.98
47: Deep Sight
Without opening your door, one can know the whole world. Without looking out the window, one can know the Way of Heaven.
More advances in knowledge, does not produce more advances in wisdom.
The master arrives without leaving, sees the light without looking, achieves without doing.99
48: Love is the Higher Form of Knowledge
In pursuit of knowledge, something is added day by day. In cultivating Tao, something is subtracted day by day.
Less and less do you need to force things, until finally you arrive at non-action.100 Employing non-action, nothing is left undone.
Therefore she who gains mastery resorts to non-action. Taking to action disqualifies one for mastery.
49: Trust in the Mirror
The master has no mind of her own. She reflects the mind of the people.
She is good to people who are good. She is also good to people who are not good. This is how true goodness is realized101.
She shows sincerity to those who are sincere. To those who are insincere, she shows sincerity. This is how true sincerity is realized.
The master’s mind is open, earnestly seeking to reflect the mind of the world upon her inner mirror. People look on in awe, waiting. She treats them like her own children.
50: Preservation of Vitality
Life and death enter by the same door. Forcing life with intense living causes cracks where death starts its process of decay.
It has been said that one adept at guarding vitality can not be harmed by wild animals or weapons. Why? Because such a person has no spot of decay where he can be wounded.102
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Ref: http://wayist.org/eb/index.htm
