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from those who are meritous；
thus； he gains nothing；
and will fall into disrepute。
Since striving；
boasting and self…righteousness；
are all unnecessary traits；
the sage considers them excesses；
and has no need of them。
25
THE CREATIVE PRINCIPLE OF TAO
The creative principle unifies
the inner and external worlds。
It does not depend on time or space；
is ever still and yet in motion；
thereby it creates all things；
and is therefore called
'the creative and the absolute'；
its ebb and its flow extend to infinity。
We describe the Tao as being great；
we describe the universe as great；
nature too； we describe as great；
and man himself is great。
Man's laws should follow natural laws；
just as nature gives rise to physical laws；
whilst following from universal law；
which follows the Tao。
26
CENTRING
The natural way is the way of the sage；
serving as his dwelling；
providing his centre deep within；
whether in his home or journeying。
Even when he travels far；
he is not separate
from his own true nature。
Maintaining awareness of natural beauty；
he still does not forget his purpose。
Although he may dwell in a grand estate；
simplicity remains his guide；
for he is full aware； that losing it；
his roots as well would disappear。
So he is not restless；
lest he loses the natural way。
Similarly； the people's leader
is not flippant in his role； nor restless；
for these could cause the loss
of the roots of leadership。
27
FOLLOWING THE TAO
The sage follows the natural way；
doing what is required of him。
Like an experienced tracker；
he leaves no tracks；
like a good speaker； his speech is fluent；
He makes no error； so needs no tally；
like a good door； which needs no lock；
he is open when it is required of him；
and closed at other times；
like a good binding； he is secure；
without the need of borders。
Knowing that virtue may grow from example；
this is the way in which the sage teaches；
abandoning no one who stops to listen。
Thus； from experience of the sage；
all might learn； and so might gain。
There is mutual respect twixt teacher and pupil；
for； without respect； there would be confusion。
28
RETAINING INTEGRITY
Whilst developing creativity；
also cultivate receptivity。
Retain the mind like that of a child；
which flows like running water。
When considering any thing；
do not lose its opposite。
When thinking of the finite；
do not forget infinity；
Act with honour； but retain humility。
By acting according to the way of the Tao；
set others an example。
By retaining the integrity
of the inner and external worlds；
true selfhood is maintained；
and the inner world made fertile。
29
TAKING NO ACTION
The external world is fragile；
and he who meddles with its natural way；
risks causing damage to himself。
He who tries to grasp it；
thereby loses it。
It is natural for things to change；
sometimes being ahead； sometimes behind。
There are times when even breathing
may be difficult；
whereas its natural state is easy。
Sometimes one is strong；
and sometimes weak；
sometimes healthy；
and sometimes sick；
sometimes is first；
and at other times behind。
The sage does not try
to change the world by force；
for he knows that force results in force。
He avoids extremes and excesses；
and does not become complacent。
30
A CAVEAT AGAINST VIOLENCE
When leading by the way of the Tao；
abominate the use of force；
for it causes resistance； and loss of strength；
showing the Tao has not been followed well。
Achieve results but not through violence；
for it is against the natural way；
and damages both others' and one's own true self。
The harvest is destroyed in the wake of a great war；
and weeds grow in the fields in the wake of the army。
The wise leader achieves results；
but does not glory in them；
is not proud of his victories；
and does not boast of them。
He knows that boasting is not the natural way；
and that he who goes against that way；
will fail in his endeavours。
31
MAINTAINING PEACE
Weapons of war are instruments of fear；
and are abhorred by those who follow the Tao。
The leader who follows the natural way
does not abide them。
The warrior king leans to his right；
from whence there comes his generals' advice；
but the peaceful king looks to his left；
where sits his counsellor of peace。
When he looks to his left； it is a time of peace；
and when to the right； a time for sorrow。
Weapons of war are instruments of fear；
and are not favoured by the wise；
who use them only when there is no choice；
for peace and stillness are dear to their hearts；
and victory causes them no rejoicing。
To rejoice in victory is to delight in killing；
to delight in killing is to have no self…being。
The conduct of war is that of a funeral；
when people are killed； it is a time of mourning。
This is why even victorious battle
should be observed without rejoicing。
32
IF THE TAO WERE OBSERVED
The Tao is eternal； but does not have fame；
like the uncarved block； its worth seems small；
though its value to man is beyond all measure。
Were it definable； it could then be used
to obviate conflict； and the need
to teach the way of the Tao；
all men would abide in the peace of the Tao；
sweet dew would descend to nourish the earth。
When the Tao is divided；
there is a need for names；
for； like the block which is carved；
its parts then are seen。
By stopping in time
from torment and conflict；
strife is defeated； and danger averted。
The people then seek the wisdom of Tao；
just as all rivers flow to the great sea。
33
WITHOUT FORCE： WITHOUT PERISHING
Knowledge frequently results
from knowing others；
but the man who is awakened；
has seen the uncarved block。
Others might be mastered by force；
but to master one's self
requires the Tao。
He who has many material things；
may be described as rich；
but he who knows he has enough；
and is at one with the Tao；
might have enough of material things；
and have self…being as well。
Will…power may bring perseverance；
but to have tranquility is to endure；
being protected for all his days。
He whose ideas remain in the world；
is present for all time。
34
WITHOUT CONTRIVING
All things may act； without exclusion；
according to the natural way；
which fulfills its purpose silently；
and with no claim。
Being an aspect of natural order；
it is not the ruler of any thing；