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but it is the beginning of folly。
Hence； the well…formed person relies on what is solid
and not on what is flimsy；
on the fruit and not the flower。
Therefore； such a person lets go of that without
and is cont：ent with this within。
39
From ancient times these things have arisen from the One：
Heaven is clear because of the One；
The earth is firm because of the One；
The Spirit is strong because of the One；
The valley is full because of thc One；
The ten thousand things reprodnce because of the One；
Leaders are able to lead because of the One。
All of this comes from the One。
If heaven were not clear it would soon split。
If the earth were not firm it would soon bend and break。
If the Spirit were not strong it would soon wear out。
If the valley were not full it would soon dry up。
If the ten thousand things did not reproduce
they would soon die out。
If leaders could not lead they would soon fall。
Therefore； greatness has its source in the little。
The low is the foundation of the high。
Princes call themselves 〃alone；〃 〃helpless；〃 〃worthless。〃
Is this not acknowledging a humble root~
Enumerate the parts of a carriage
and you have not defined a carriage。
Better to resound like stone chimes
than to tinkle like jade bells。
40
Returning is the direction of the Tao。
Yielding is the way of the Tao。
The ten thousand things are born of Being
and Being is born of Nonbeing。
41
The wise student on hearing the Tao
diligently puts it into practice。
The average student on hearing the Tao
keeps it one minute and loses it the next。
The mediocre student on hearing the Tao
laughs at it loudly。
If this student did not laugh it would not be the Tao。
Therefore； the ancient proverb says：
The bright path seems dull。
The path that goes torward seems to lead backward。
The even path seems up and down。
The greatest whiteness seems soiled。
High Virtue seems like a canyon。
Abundant Virtue seems deficient。
Vigorous Virtue seems limp。
Simple Virtue seems faded。
The greatest square has no corners。
The greatest vessel takes long to complete。
The greatest note is hard to hear。
The greatest image has no shape。
The Tao is hidden and narneless；
yet； it is the Tao alone that supports all thing？；
and brings them to completion。
42
The Tao gives birth to the One。
The One gives birth to two。
Two gives birth to three。
And three gives birth to the ten thousand things。
The ten thousand things have their backs in the shadow
while they embrace the light。
Harmony is achieved by blending
the breaths of these two forces。
People dislike the words 〃alone；〃 〃helpless；〃 〃worthless；〃
yet this is how Princes describe them selves。
So it is that sometimes a thing is increased
by being diminished and
diminished by being increased。
What others teach I also teach：
〃A violent person will not die a natural death。〃
I shall make this the basis of my teaching。
43
The most yielding of all things
overcomes the hardest of all things。
That which has no substance
enters where there is no crevice。
Hence； I know the value of action without striving。
Few things under heaven bring more benefit than
the lessons learned from silence and
the actions taken without striving。
44
Your integrity or your body：
Which is more important？
Your body or your possessions
Which is worth more？
Gain or loss：
Which is more harmful？
Thus it is that the miser will pay much。
The hoarder will suffer great loss。
Be content with what you have
and you will not be disgraced。
Know when to stop
and you will be preserved from danger。
Only in this way will you long endure。
45
Great accomplishment seems incomplete；
yet its use is not impaired。
Great filllness seems empty；
yet it will never be drained。
Great straightness looks crooked。
Great skill appears clumsy。
Great eloquence sounds like stammering。
Movement overcomes cold；
stillness overcomes heat。
The calm and quiet set right
everything under heaven。
46
When the Tao prevails in the world
swift horses are used to fertilize the fields。
When the Tao is unheeded
war horses are bred on the border lands。
There is no greater offense than harboring desires。
There is no greater disaster than discontent。
There is no greater misfortune than wanting more。
Hence； if you are content
You will always have enough。
47
Without going outside
you can know the ways of the world。
Without looking through the window
you can see the way of heaven。
The farther you go
the less you know。
Therefore； the Trne Person
arrives without traveling；
perceives without looking；
and acts without striving。
48
In the pursuit of learning；
every day something isadded。
In the pursuit of the Tao；
every day something is dropped。
Less and less is done
until you come to action with striving。
When you follow this practice；
nothing remains undone。
All under heaven is won by
letting things take their cuurse。
Nothing can be gained by interfering。
49
The True Person does not have an individual heart
but uses the heart of the people。
I am kind to those who are kind。
I am also kind to those who are not kind。
Thus； there is an increase in kindness。
I keep faith with those who are in good faith。
I also keep faith with those WhO lack good faith。
Thus； there is an increase of good faith。
The True Person is detached and humble
and to the world appears confusing。
The people all strain their eyes and ears； yet the True Person remainschildlike。
50
When going off one way means living
and going off the other way means dying；
three in ten are companions of Life；
three in ten are companions of Death； and
three in ten value Life but drift toward Death。
Why is all this so？
Because； these people are too greedy about living。
It is said：
People who are skillful in caring
for the life that has been given to them
travel abroad without fear of wild ox or tiger；
and enter a battle without concern for sharp weapons。
There is no place for the wild ox to thrust its horns；
there is no place for the tiger to put its claws；
there is no place for a weapon to lodge。
How is this so？
Because； there is no place for Death to enter in！
51
The Tao gives life to all things；
and its Virtue nourishes them；
forms each according to its nature
and gives to each its inner strengrth。
Therefore； the ten thousand things all venerate the Tao
and honor its Virtue。
It has never bccn dec