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Live without danger all through life
Close the mouth
Shut the doors
Live without toil all through life
Open the mouth
Meddle in the affairs
Live without salvation all through life
Seeing details is called clarity
Holding on to the soft is called strength
Utilize the light
Return to the clarity
Leaving no disasters for the self
This is called following constancy
53
If I have a little knowledge
Walking on the great Tao
I fear only to deviate from it
The great Tao is broad and plain
But people like the side paths
The courts are corrupt
The fields are barren
The warehouses are empty
Officials wear fineries
Carry sharp swords
Fill up on drinks and food
Acquire excessive wealth
This is called robbery
It is not the Tao！
54
That which is well established cannot be uprooted
That which is strongly held cannot be taken
The descendants will commemorate it forever
Cultivate it in yourself； its virtue shall be true
Cultivate it in the family； its virtue shall be abundant
Cultivate it in the community； its virtue shall be lasting
Cultivate it in the country； its virtue shall be prosperous
Cultivate it in the world； its virtue shall be widespread
Therefore observe others with yourself
Observe other families with your family
Observe other communities with your community
Observe other countries with your country
Observe the world with the world
With what do I know the world？
With this
The well…established cannot be uprooted。
The well…grasped does not slip away。
Generation after generation carries out the ancestor worship without break。
Cultivate it in yourself and virtue will be real。
Cultivate it in the family and virtue will overflow。
Cultivate it in the town and virtue will be great。
Cultivate it in the country and virtue will abundant。
Cultivate it in the world and virtue will be everywhere。
Therefore； take yourself and observe yourself。
Take the family and observe the family。
Take the town and observe the town。
Take the country and observe the country。
Take the world and observe the world。
How do I know the world as it is？
By this。
Who plants well will not have his work uprooted； who embraces well will not lose what he holds；
the offerings of his sons and grandsons will never end。
Who thus regulates himself has virtue which is genuine； who thus regulates his household has virtue which overflows； who thus regulates his neighborhood has virtue which excels； who thus regulates the state has virtue which abounds； who thus regulates the world has virtue which is universal。
Therefore let every man prove himself； let each household； neighborhood； and state do the same； let the world also follow the same course。
How do I know that it must be thus with the world？ By this same （which has been just said）。
55
Those who hold an abundance of virtue
Are similar to newborn infants
Poisonous insects do not sting them
Wild beasts do not claw them
Birds of prey do not attack them
Their bones are weak； tendons are soft
But their grasp is firm
They do not know of sexual union but can manifest arousal
Due to the optimum of essence
They can cry the whole day and yet not be hoarse
Due to the optimum of harmony
Knowing harmony is said to be constancy
Knowing constancy is said to be clarity
Excessive vitality is said to be inauspicious
Mind overusing energy is said to be aggressive
Things become strong and then grow old
This is called contrary to the Tao
That which is contrary to the Tao will soon perish
Tao cultivators wish to return to a purer and simpler state of mind。 It is a state full of bliss and grace。 We have all experienced it as infants； but have forgotten as we grew up and became more and more affected by the material world。
Infants are protected from danger。 Someone who has cultivated much virtue and thus become more child…like is likewise protected。 Just as infants are protected by their loving parents； virtuous cultivators are protected by the all…nurturing mother； the Tao。 By following the Tao； they cannot be stung by poisonous insects of malicious gossip； clawed by the wild beasts of fear and anger； or attacked by the vicious birds of greed and envy。
Such virtuous cultivators may appear soft and yielding； and yet they have a firm handle on their goals and objectives。 They are flexible in their approach； and unwavering in their determination。
They live life with energy and vitality。 They possess the optimum essence of health； so that every day is exciting； fun； and creative。 Just as babies cry all day without getting hoarse； they can concentrate on difficult tasks for an extended period of time without getting tired。
Their energy works in perfect harmony with their surroundings。 This harmonious interaction arises from their constant purpose and sense of mission。 They understand the meaning of life … why they are here and what they are here to do … and this clarity of vision powers their every thought and action。
They can endure the test of time because they never overdo anything。 They do not cultivate physical vitality to excess； nor do they overtax the mind。 If life is a race； then they are marathon runners； not sprinters。 Sprinters may be able to surge forward in an explosive burst of speed； but within minutes their strength is depleted。 Soon after； they collapse in a heap of exhaustion。 It is inevitable and contrary to the lasting and enduring Tao of the true cultivators。
Notes
The ancient sages spoke of sexuality in an open and direct manner because they saw it as part of nature； and not something about which to feel shame or guilt。 They see nothing 〃filthy〃 or 〃disgusting〃 about it。 Instead； they acknowledge and utilize its vast creative powers。
56
Those who know do not talk
Those who talk do not know
Close the mouth
Shut the doors
Blunt the sharpness
Unravel the knots
Dim the glare
Mix the dust
This is called mystic oneness
They cannot obtain this and be closer
They cannot obtain this and be distant
They cannot obtain this and be benefited
They cannot obtain this and be harmed
They cannot obtain this and be valued
They cannot obtain this and be degraded
Therefore； they become honored by the world
The truly wise understand the Tao； so they know that actions speak louder than words。 Rather than to talk endlessly about what they should do or how they should be； they put their time and effort into the actual doing and being。
On the other hand； those who prattle on and on only demonstrate that they know little about the Tao。 They spend so much time talking about what they think they know that they end up not putting any of it into actual practice。 Without real…life applications； the Tao means nothing。
Tao cultivators close openings and doors … the passages that lead to； or allow