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The one who incessantly praises himself or herself is not the person with true merit。 The one who is always bragging about his or her achievements is not the person with lasting power。
Those who are on the path of Tao speak of such things as if they were leftover food or useless growth； like a tumor。 They despise such things and regard them with contempt。 This is why those who possess the Tao do not engage in such activities。 They do not show off； presume； or boast。
25
There is something formlessly created
Born before Heaven and Earth
So silent！ So ethereal！
Independent and changeless
Circulating and ceaseless
It can be regarded as the mother of the world
I do not know its name
Identifying it； I call it 〃Tao〃
Forced to describe it； I call it great
Great means passing
Passing means receding
Receding means returning
Therefore the Tao is great
Heaven is great
Earth is great
The sovereign is also great
There are four greats in the universe
And the sovereign occupies one of them
Humans follow the laws of Earth
Earth follows the laws of Heaven
Heaven follows the laws of Tao
Tao follows the laws of nature
There is something that is formless； shapeless and non…physical； and yet also complete and perfect。 Whatever it is； this 〃thing〃 existed before the universe came into being。
How silent； tranquil and still！ How ethereal； empty and boundless！ It is completely independent and self…sufficient。 Its nature is eternal and unchanging。 Its functions circulate within every level of existence without ever stopping。 Because it is the source of all creation； we can consider it to be the mother of all things。
I do not know its name； I do not even know that it has a name。 In order to identify it； I reluctantly call it the arbitrary name 〃Tao。〃 If I were forced to describe it； I would have to say it is great beyond compare。 Being great； it is always in a state of transition。 Being perpetually in motion； it seems to recede far away from us。 Being far away； it returns again to us。 This great circle is the nature of Tao。
Therefore； the Tao is great。 Heaven and Earth； being manifestations of the Tao； are also great。 A leader who manifests the Tao； and can serve as an example for the people； is also great。 He or she occupies one of the four aspects of greatness。
The universe is an orchestrated symphony； where human beings follow the laws of the land in which they live。 At a level above this； the Earth follows the laws of astronomy … the rules that govern the motions of heavenly bodies。 The cosmos in turn follow the patterns of the Tao at a macroscopic level。 Ultimately； the Tao itself follows natural laws； which arise from the Tao process。 This underscores the self…sufficiency and self…completeness of the Tao。
26
Heaviness is the root of lightness。
Quietness is the master of restlessness
Therefore the sage travels the entire day
Without leaving the heavy supplies
Even though there are luxurious sights
He is composed and transcends beyond
How can the lord of ten thousand chariots
Applies himself lightly to the world？
To be light is to lose one's root
To be restless is to lose one's mastery
Heaviness； or gravitas； lies at the root of human affairs。 Lightness； or gaiety； dances carelessly above them。 Those who are quiet； unmoved； deliberate and composed possess power over those who are noisy； restless； impulsive and impatient。
Therefore； the sage traverses the Tao an entire day without ever losing track of the essentials of life。 Even though there are many colorful sights of luxuries along the way； the sage recognizes them as illusory； and so remains perfectly composed and unmoved； transcending beyond the temptation。
How； then； can the king； who rules the force of ten thousand war chariots； treat lightly the serious task of governing the kingdom？
To be 〃light；〃 in this context； is to be disconnected from the important foundation of life。 In a similar way； being restless or unstable is to lose one's power of mastery … the power of the true self！
27
Good traveling does not leave tracks
Good speech does not seek faults
Good reckoning does not use counters
Good closure needs no bar and yet cannot be opened
Good knot needs no rope and yet cannot be untied
Therefore sages often save others
And so do not abandon anyone
They often save things
And so do not abandon anything
This is called following enlightenment
Therefore the good person is the teacher of the bad person
The bad person is the resource of the good person
The one who does not value his teachers
And does not love his resources
Although intelligent； he is greatly confused
This is called the essential wonder
Skilled travelers in the journey of life follow the path of nature。 They do not force their way through obstacles or trample over the paths of other travelers。 Therefore； they leave no signs of their passing。 Similarly； those who are skillful in the art of conversation do not use words to highlight the faults of others。 Such actions breed contention … and conflicts leave many tracks indeed！
There are those who are good at capturing people's attention； imagination； and heart。 They do not need to lock people in to keep them around。 People would naturally not wish to leave。 They can also be skillful in bonding with people。 When they have connected with people at a deep level； it is a bond that is stronger than any knots tied with ropes。
This is how sages deal with people。 Because of their genuine virtue； they maintain a captive audience without having to physically force anyone to be present。 They cherish everyone and all things； and it becomes clear to the people that the sage would never abandon them。 This is part of the powerful bond that the sage naturally establishes with others。
One reason why sages don't give up on anyone is that everyone plays a role in the overall stage of life。 Everyone has an impact on everyone else； and it is up to an individual to make use of that impact。 A good person can serve as a teacher and be a great example for us to emulate。 Not…so…good individuals is just as useful； because we can observe the negative consequences of their negative actions； and learn from that as what not to do。
In this way； the sages see everyone as valuable teachers or resources。 They do not praise the good people and condemn the bad； because they feel genuine love and affection for all of them。 Most of us are not quite that way … we quickly develope likes and dislikes； preferences and aversions in dealing with others。 We lack the ability to deal everyone with the same degree of universal love that sages possess； we can only look upon this essential aspect of their character with a sense of wonder。
Perhaps one day； when we have reached a certain level of cultivation； we can also possess the essential wonder of universal love。 When that happens； we will no longer see people we despise … only people who represent certain aspects of the greater oneness that is a