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Tao is hidden yet it shines in every corner of the universe
With it； the sharp edges become smooth the twisted knots loosen the sun is softened by a cloud the dust settles into place
So deep； so pure； so still
It has been this way forever
You may ask； 揥hose child is it？？ but I cannot say
This child was here before the Great Ancestor
5
Heaven and Earth have no permanence
A man may choose one over another but to Heaven and Earth all are the same
The high； the low； the great； the small ？all are given light all get a place to rest
The Sage is like Heaven and Earth
To him none are especially dear or is there anyone he disfavours
He gives and gives without condition offering his treasure to everyone
The universe is like a bellows
It stays empty yet is never exhausted
It gives out yet always brings forth more
Man is not like this
When he blows out air like a bellows he becomes exhausted
Man was not made to blow out air
He was made to sit quietly and find the truth within
6
Endlessly creating
Endlessly pulsating
The Spirit of the Valley never dies
She is called the Hidden Creator
Although She becomes the whole universe
Her immaculate purity is never lost
Although She assumes countless forms
Her true identity remains intact
Whatever we see or don抰 see
Whatever exists or doesn抰 exist
Is nothing but the creation of this Supreme Power
Tao is limitless； unborn； eternal ？br》 It can only be reached through the Hidden Creator
She is the very face of the Absolute
The gate to the source of all things eternal
Listen to Her voice
Hear it echo through creation
Without fail； She reveals her presence
Without fail； She brings us to our own perfection
7
Heaven is ancient
Earth is long…lasting
Why is this so？ ？br》 Because they have no claims to life
By having no claims to life they cannot be claimed by death
The Sage puts his own views behind so ends up ahead
He stays a witness to life so he endures
What could he grab for that he does not already have？
What could he do for himself that the universe itself has not already done？
8
The best way to life is to be like water
For water benefits all things and goes against none of them
It provides for all people and even cleanses those places a man is loath to go
In this way it is just like Tao
Live in accordance with the nature of things
Build your house on solid ground
Keep your mind still
When giving； be kind
When speaking； be truthful
When ruling； be just
When working； be one…pointed
When acting； remember ？timing is everything
One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things
He moves in harmony with the present moment always knowing the truth of just what to do
9
Grabbing and stuffing ？there is no end to it
Sharpen a blade too much and its edge will soon be lost
Fill a house with gold and jade and no one can protect it
Puff yourself with honour and pride and no one can save you from a fall
Complete the task at had
Be selfless in your actions
This is the way of Heaven
This is the way to Heaven
10
Hold fast to the Power of the One
It will unify the body and merge it with the spirit
It will cleanse the vision and reveal the world as flawless
It will focus the life…force and make one supple as a newborn
As you love the people and rule the state can you be free of self…interest？
As the gates of Heaven open and close can you remain steadfast as the mother bird who sits on her nest？
As your wisdom reaches he four corners of the world can you keep the innocence of a beginner？
Know this Primal Power that guides without forcing that serves without seeking that brings forth and sustains life yet does not own or possess it。
One who holds this Power brings Tao to this very Earth
He can triumph over a raging fire or the freeze of winter weather
Yet when he comes to rule the world it抯 with the gentleness of a feather
11
Wu is nothingness； emptiness； no…existence
Thirty spokes of a wheel all join at at a common hub yet only the hole at the center allows the wheel to spin
Clay is molded to form a cup yet only the space within allows the cup to hold water
Walls are joined to make a room yet only by cutting out a door and a window can one enter the room and live there
Thus； when a thing has existence alone it is mere dead…weight
Only when it has wu； does it have life
12
The five colours blind the eye
The five tones deafen the ear
The five flavours dull the palate
Racing； hunting； and galloping about only disturb the mind
Wasting energy to obtain rare objects only impedes one抯 growth
So the Sage is led by his inner truth not his outer eye
He holds to what is deep and not what lies on the surface
13
揃e wary of both honour and disgrace？br》 揈ndless affliction is bound to the body？br》 What does it mean； 揃e wary of both honour and disgrace？？br》 Honour is founded on disgrace and disgrace is rooted in honour
Both should be avoided
Both bind a man to this world
That抯 why it says； 揃e wary of both honour and disgrace？br》 What does it mean； 揈ndless affliction is bound to the body？？br》 Man抯 true self is eternal； yet he thinks； 揑 am this body； I will soon die？br》 This false sense of self is the cause of all his sorrow
When a person does not identify himself with the body tell me； what troubles could touch him？
One who sees himself as everything is fit to be guardian of the world
One who loves himself as everyone is fit to be teacher of the world。
14
Eyes look but cannot see it
Ears listen but cannot hear it
Hands grasp but cannot touch it
Beyond the senses lies the great Unity ？invisible； inaudible； intangible
What rises up appears bright
What settles down appears dark
Yet there is neither darkness nor light just an unbroken dance of shadows
From nothingness to fullness and back again to nothingness
This formless form
This imageless image cannot be grasped by mind or might
Try to face it
In what place will you stand？
Try to follow it
To what place will you go？
Know That which is beyond all beginnings and you will know everything here and now
Know everything in this moment and you will know the Eternal Tao
15
The masters of this ancient path are mysterious and profound
Their inner states baffle all inquiry
Their depths go beyond all knowing
Thus； despite every effort； we can only tell of their outer signs ？br》 Deliberate； as if treading over the stones of a winter brook
Watchful； as if meeting danger on all sides
Reverent； as if receiving an honoured guest
Selfless； like a melting block of ice
Pure； like an uncarved block of wood
Accepting； like an open valley
Through the course of Nature muddy wat