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Because we are under him； it is natural
that we are wary when we gain or lose his favor。
Why is it that we should be wary of our bodies？
If we own our body； it is natural
that we are wary if something should happen to our bodies。
If we disown our bodies； there will be nothing to fear！
We should give our bodies up to the world；
As if they could be entrusted to all under heaven。
Love is based on giving our bodies up to the world；
As if they could be entrusted to all under heaven。
14
The Ancient Path
When we cast our eyes upon it
yet cannot see it；
We call it yi （literally 〃flat〃； 〃peaceful〃； or 〃delighted〃）
When we turn our ears to it
yet cannot hear it；
We call it xi （literally 〃rarefied〃）
When we stretch our hands to reach it
yet cannot touch it；
We call it wei （literally 〃infinitesimally small〃）
Since we cannot distinguish these three；
we equate them as one。
Its upper side does not dazzle like strong light。
Its under side does not dim like darkness。
It is beyond description；
And easily confused as nothing。
Its shape is shapeless。
Its appearance is that of nothing；
We call it the 〃as if。〃
When we greet it； we cannot see its face。
When we follow it； we cannot see its back。
（Since reality is impossible to track down）
I should only follow the Path walked by the ancient Sages。
That is how I can deal with situations of the now。
Knowing to follow the way of the ancient masters；
Can already be called following the Way。
15
The Early Masters
The masters of the Dao in ancient times
had mystical； versatile； and unfathomable understanding。
As it is unfathomable；
Only a proximate description is possible。
They are prepared at all times；
as if taking on a river journey in winter。
They are alert and watchful；
as if they were wary of the surroundings。
They are respectful；
as if they were the guests of someone。
They are accommodating；
as if they were ice about to melt。
They are unpretentious；
as if they were the embodiment of simplicity。
They are open…minded；
as if they were a hollow valley。
They are murky；
as if they were a muddy stream；
They are unsettled；
as if they were an open sea；
They never stopped；
as if they were the winds of the earth。
Is there anyone who can be like
a murky stream cleaning up when given a rest？
Is there anyone who can be like
calm air gathering motion and becoming alive again？
The man who shuns full gratification of their desires；
is the man who has this ability。
He can rejuvenate。
16
Rediscover the Eternal
Be after the Truthfulness of Emptiness；
Stick to the absolute stillness of the mind。
You will see all the living things around you in a new light。
You will observe their real； original faces。
All things under heaven with their diversity
shall fall back to their proper places and
shall rediscover their origins。
Going back to one's origin is the same as stilling the mind。
It can also be known as the Rediscovery of Life。
The Life Rediscovered is the Eternal。
Knowing the Eternal is true understanding。
One who does not know the Eternal
foolishly creates all kinds of ills for oneself。
One who knows the Eternal is accommodating and receptive。
Being accommodating and receptive is giving up possessiveness。
Giving up possessiveness； one becomes kingly and enlightened。
To be kingly and enlightened is heavenly；
To be heavenly is to follow the Dao。
Following the Dao one will become immortal。
Such a man will never die even though his body passes away。
17
The Unseasoned Mind Knows the Eternal
The Supreme stays with the one who is least clever。
Others； who merely pays tribute to the Supreme verbally；
stay further away from the Supreme。
Still others； who fear the Supreme；
are more distant from the Supreme。
Still others； who live in defilement of the Supreme；
are the worst。
There are people who believe inadequately。
There are people who do not believe at all。
Take things easy and spare your words。
When what needs done gets done
People will say 〃How natural and easy it is！〃
18
Hypocrisy
When the Way has been abandoned；
The talk about kindness and fairness emerges。
When clever people abound；
Fraudulence and pretentiousness become commonplace。
When there is discord in the family；
People will learn to become better parents and better children。
When the country falls into disarray；
Ministers who faithfully serve the country arise。
19
Live Naturally and Simply
When we stop talking about the Sages
and simply banish contrivance and clever reasoning
That is the time people will really benefit greatly。
When we stop talking about kindness and fairness
That is the time people rediscover their natural filial piety
and their parental instincts。
When people forget about their clever ways
and the pursuit of ease and comfort；
There will be no more thieves。
I cannot say adequately about these three things；
So I will add：
See simplicity；
Espouse simplicity；
Reduce your wild thoughts；
Reduce your desires。
When you have learnt how not to learn；
You will be free from worries。
20
The Calculating Mind Versus the Truthful Mind
What is the difference between saying yes because you agree
and saying yes because you want to please？
What is the difference between good and evil？
When everybody avoids something；
Does it mean it must be avoided？
How ridiculous all this is！
This mode of thinking takes one far from the ultimate Truth！
The crowds are busily involved with their daily routines。
As if they are attending a feast；
or walking up a beautiful terrace in Spring。
I alone am deserted。
The future seems unknown；
Just as an infant's future is unknown。
I appear to be tired in a directionless journey。
When everybody appears to have more than enough
I alone seem like someone who have lost everything。
Is my mind that of a fool？
People in their mundane worlds look bright。
I on the other hand look dull。
People in the mundane worlds look clever；
I on the other hand look boring。
My mind is unsettled like the open sea
and never restless like the wind。
Everyone has his properties and status。
I alone look poor and lonely。
I am different from the crowd。
I alone value drawing my nutrients from Mother。
21
The Mark of the Virtuous
To tell the virtuous from all the others。
You only need one criterion：
does he follow the Dao？
The substance of the Dao is impalpable and intractable。
While it is impalpable and intractable；
It manifests itself in the phenomenal world；
An