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If nature's words do not last；
why should those of man？
If you open yourself to the Tao；
you are at one with the Tao
and you can embody it completely。
If you open yourself to insight；
you are at one with insight
and you can use it completely。
If you open yourself to loss；
you are at one with loss
and you can accept it completely。
The Tao accepts this accordance gladly。
Virtue accepts this accordance gladly。
Loss also accepts this accordance gladly。
He who does not have trust in others
should not himself be trusted。
24
He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm
he who travels at a speed beyond his means；
cannot maintain his pace。
He who tries to shine dims his own light。
If you boast； you will have no merit。
Pride yourself and you will not endure。
These behaviors are wasteful and indulgent；
so they attract disfavor；
therefore those who pursue
the Tao do not accept and allow them。
25
There is a mystery； something formless and perfect
before the universe was born。
It is tranquil。 Empty。
Solitary。 Unchanging。
Infinite。 Eternally present。
It is the mother of everything。
I don't know its name。
Hence； when forced to name it； I call it 〃Tao。〃 （the Way）。
When attempting to categorize it； I call it 〃great。〃
Being great it flows through all things；inside and outside。
And being limitless it returns to the origin of all things。
The Tao is great。
The universe is great。
Earth is great。
Man is great。
These are the four great powers。
Man follows the laws of the earth。
Earth follows the laws of the universe。
The universe follows the laws of the Tao。
The law of the Tao is in being what it is。
26
The heavy is the root of the light。
Composure is the ruler of instability。
An experienced traveler will journey all day； watching over his belongings；
Though there may be spectacles to see
He easily passes them by。
However splendid the views；
he stays serenely in himself。
Why should the lord of the country
flit about like a fool？
If he is unstable； he will lose his rulership。
Rather than glitter like jade
He must stand like common stone。
27
The sage follows the natural way。
Like an experienced tracker。。。he himself leaves no tracks。
Like a good speaker。。。his language lacks flaws and rebuke。
Like an experienced counter he needs no calculator。
He is like a well…made door； which needs no lock。
He is the perfect knot； leaving no end to be unraveled。
He attends to every detail。
It is in this way that the sage is skilful at saving men；
and so he does not cast away any man。
He is always skilful at saving things； and so he does not cast away anything。
This is called embodying the light。
It is in this way that the skillful master is the teacher of the one without skill。
And the one without skill is the charge and responsibility of the master。
From the teachings of the master； all might learn who wish to listen。
Not respecting the teacher； nor valuing the student； you will see confusion； no matter how intelligent you are。
This is called the Essential Subtlety。
28
Know your male qualities；
Yet know how to use the female abilities。
Be like a channel for the world's waters；
Open and flowing； like the mind of a child。
Full of virtue； harmony and excellence。
Know the light；
But understand the dark。
Be an example for the world。
Act with honor； and retain humility。
Return to the state of the uncarved wooden block。
29
Do you wish to change the world？
If you wish to change the world
and adjust it to your desires；
you cannot succeed。
The world is shaped by the Way；
the self cannot shape it。
If you tamper with it； you'll ruin it。
If you treat it like an object； you'll lose it。
The world is as it is； so；
Some will be leaders；
while others will be followers。
Some will be warm； others cold。
Some will be strong； others weak。
Some will get where they are going；
While others will fall by the side of the road。
The Master sees things as they are；
without trying to control them。
He lets them go their own way；
and resides at the center of the path。
30
If you guide your nation by use of the Tao；
You will not rule it by use of military arms。
For even well…intentioned aggression
Has a way of returning to oneself。
Thorns and brambles grow thickly where an army has camped。
And years of destitution are likely after a great war。
When necessary； the skillful leader will strike a decisive blow and achieve a lasting victory。
He will guard against vain； boastful or arrogant thoughts in the aftermath of the destruction。
He will accomplish only the killing and destruction that is necessary；
and not the least bit more。
Things flourish； and then they decline；
This is the way of the Tao。
31
Instruments of war； however splendidly built can cause destruction and horror。
They should be regarded as inauspicious instruments； the use of which should be avoided in all but the direst necessity； and utilized with the utmost restraint。
The King looks to His minister of Peace on His left； and leans to His General on His right。
On happy occasions the left is the prized position； in times of war the right is honored。
Peace and stillness are dear to the heart of the followers of Tao；
Therefore：
Do not rejoice in victory； for such is to delight in the slaughter of men。
Enter a battle gravely； for the dead come from the people； and deep and great will be their lamentation。
A battle should be regarded as the beginning of the funeral。
32
The Tao is forever nameless； formless and shapeless。
Being so； it is like the uncarved wooden block； its value is not easily perceived。
No King can make the wooden block His subject；
yet if the King and the people were to embody the Tao；
the Earth would be like a paradise； all would live in harmony； and the equilibrium would flow without surcease。
But man cannot let the block sit； they divide it and number each piece； carving it and naming the functions。
Know when to stop the carving and naming； this will prevent you from carving into perilous territory。
Do not force the carving； let the functions of the Tao flow of their own accord as the rivers of the Earth flow to the sea。
33
Understanding the world is knowledge；
Understanding yourself is enlightenment。
Mastering others is strength；
Mastering yourself is true power。
Having many things is affluence；
Being content with what you have is satisfaction。
Will power will increase perseverance；
But tranquility with the Tao brings eternal endurance。
34
The Tao flows all around like a great river；
To the left and to the right it surrounds all。