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Understanding the children and returning to the mother；
they live always free from harm。
Close the mouth； shut the doors；
and all of life is without strain。
Open the mouth； meddle with affairs；
and all of life is beyond help。
Seeing the small is insight；
to stay with the gentle is strength。
Use the Light； return to insight；
and thereby be preserved from harm。
This is practicing the eternal。
53
Those with even a scrap of sense
walk on the main way and fear only straying from the path。
The main way is smooth and easy；
but people like to be side…tracked。
While the courts are arrayed in splendor；
the fields are full of weeds；
and the granaries are empty。
Yet some wear embroidered clothes； carry sharp swords；
over…indulge themselves with food and drink；
and have more possessions than they can use。
They are leaders in robbery。
This is not the Way。
54
What is well established cannot be uprooted。
What is firmly held cannot slip away。
The power of sacrifice continues on
from generation to generation。
Cultivated in the person； power becomes real。
Cultivated in the family； power becomes abundant。
Cultivated in the community； power endures。
Cultivated in the nation； power flourishes。
Cultivated in the world； power becomes universal。
Therefore see the person as a person；
the family as a family； the community as a community；
the nation as a nation； and the world as universal。
How do I know that the world is like this？
By this。
55
Those filled with power are like new…born children。
Poisonous insects will not sting them；
ferocious beasts will not pounce upon them；
predatory birds will not swoop down on them。
Their bones are pliable； their muscles tender；
but their grip is firm。
They have never known the union of man and woman；
but the organ is fully formed；
meaning that the vital essence is strong。
They may cry all day without getting hoarse；
meaning that the harmony is perfect。
To know harmony is to be in accord with the eternal。
To know the eternal is to be enlightened。
To try to force life is ominous。
To force the vital essence with the mind is violence。
The prime is past； and decay follows；
meaning that it is contrary to the Way。
Whatever is contrary to the Way will soon perish。
56
Those who know do not speak。
Those who speak do not know。
Close the mouth； shut the doors。
Smooth the sharpness； untie the tangles。
Dim the glare； calm the turmoil。
This is mystical unity。
Those achieving it are detached from friends and enemies；
from benefit and harm； from honor and disgrace。
Therefore they are the most valuable people in the world。
57
States are governed by justice。
Wars are waged by violations。
The world is mastered by nonintervention。
How do I know this？ By this：
The more restrictions there are； the poorer the people。
The more sharp weapons； the more trouble in the state。
The more clever cunning； the more contrivances。
The more rules and regulations； the more thieves and robbers。
Therefore the wise say；
〃Do not interfere； and people transform themselves。
Love peace； and people do what is right。
Do not intervene； and people prosper。
Have no desires； and people live simply。〃
58
When the government is relaxed； people are happy。
When the government is strict； people are anxious。
Good fortune leans on bad fortune；
bad fortune hides behind good fortune。
Who knows the results of process？
Is there no justice？
When the just become unjust； goodness becomes evil。
People have been deluded for a long time。
Therefore the wise are square but not cornered；
sharp but not cutting； straight but not strained；
brilliant but not dazzling。
59
In leading people and serving heaven
it is best to be frugal。
Being frugal is to be prepared from the start。
Being prepared from the start is to build up power。
By building up power nothing is impossible。
If nothing is impossible； then there are no limits。
Those without limits are capable of leading a country。
Those with maternal leadership can long endure。
This is to be deeply rooted in a firm foundation；
the way of long life and eternal vision。
60
Leading a large country is like cooking a small fish。
When the world is led in accord with the Way；
spirits lose their powers。
It is not that they lose their powers；
but that their powers no longer harm people。
Not only do the spirits not harm people；
but the wise also do not harm people。
Not harming each other； spiritual power grows。
61
A large country is like low land where rivers flow；
a place where everything comes together； the female of all。
The female overcomes the male with tranquillity。
Tranquillity is underneath。
A large country wins over a small country
by placing itself below the small country。
A small country wins over a large country
by placing itself below the large country。
Thus some win by placing themselves below；
and others win by being below。
A large country wants to protect people；
and a small country wants to join and serve。
Thus both get what they want。
It is best for the large country to place itself below。
62
The Way is sacred to all things。
It is treasure for the good and sanctuary for the bad。
Fine words can buy honor。
Good deeds can gain respect。
Though there be bad people； why reject them？
Therefore at the crowning of the emperor
or at the installation of the three ministers；
instead of sending gifts of jade and a team of four horses；
remain still and send the Way。
Why did the ancients prize this Way？
Did they not say； 〃Seek； and you will find；
let go； and you will be forgiven。〃
Therefore the Way is valued by the world。
63
Act without interfering。
Work without doing。
Taste the tasteless。
Large or small； many or few； repay injury with goodness。
Handle the difficult while it is still easy。
Handle the big while it is still small。
Difficult tasks begin with what is easy。
Great accomplishments begin with what is small。
Therefore the wise never strive for the great
and thus achieve greatness。
Rash promises inspire little trust。
Taking things too lightly results in much difficulty。
Thus the wise always confront difficulties
and therefore have no difficulty。
64
What stays still is easy to hold。
Without omens it is easy to plan。
The brittle is easy to shatter。
The minute is easy to scatter。
Handle things before they appear。
Organize things before there is confusion。
A tree as big as a person's embrace grows from a tiny shoot。
A tower nine stories high begins with a mound of e