It is solitary and unchanging； all pervasive and without end。
It could be considered the Mother of Heaven and Earth。
I do not know its name； but if I must find a word for it；
I will call it the Tao。
And if I must describe it； I will call it vast。
Being vast； it permeates everywhere。
Permeating everywhere； it is far reaching。
Reaching far； it returns。
The Tao is great。
Heaven is great。
Earth is great。
Humankind is great。
These are the four great things in the Universe；
and Humankind is one of them。
Humankind follows the law of Earth。
Earth follows the law of Heaven。
Heaven follows the law of the Tao。
The Tao follows its own law。
26
Taking Care of Business： Personal responsibility
Just as the meaningful is the origin of the trivial；
so calmness is the master of agitation。
That is why the gentleman； all through the day抯 journey；
does not leave his baggage unattended。
Though there may be exquisite scenery；
and places where swallows fly； he passes them by。
Only when he is safely in his inn and relaxing； is he free of concern。
How can we be master of a thousand chariots；
and treat ourselves with disrespect？
Those who act lightly lose their base。
Those who are impetuous； lose control。
27
Skillful Means： Teachers and students
Good walkers leave no trace。
Good speakers place no blame。
Those good with numbers need no calculator。
Those able to secure things have no need for lock or key；
yet no one can open it。
Those good at tying； need no rope for binding；
yet no one can undo it。
This is why wise people are always able to help others；
and no one is abandoned。
They are good at looking after things；
and nothing is wasted。
This is called twofold understanding。
Therefore； the skillful person
is the teacher of those who are less competent；
and those who are less competent
are the raw material of the skillful person。
Not to treasure one抯 teacher； and not to treasure one抯 resources； even if we are clever； will lead us far astray。
This is called the subtle essence of the mystery。
28
The Good； the Bad； and the Ugly： Seeing who we are
By knowing the masculine； and keeping in touch with the feminine； we are of use to the world。
By being of use in the world； we are true to our original nature；
and we return to the innocence of a child。
By seeing our clarity； and also acknowledging our obscurity；
we serve as a model in the world。
By serving as a model for the world； our integrity is unimpaired；
and we return to our limitless nature。
Even when receiving praise； we remember our faults；
and are receptive to the world。
By being receptive to the world； our true nature is perfected；
and we return to our natural state。
When wood is carved； it becomes a mere tool。
When wise people are called upon to serve；
they become the ones in charge。
Thus the best principle is not to carve things up。
29
Messing with the World： We don抰 always get what we want
If we seek to seize the world and meddle with it：
I see this as unachievable。
This world is a sacred vessel。
We cannot meddle with it； nor can we control it。
Those who meddle with it； ruin it。 Those who control it； lose it。
This is why wise people do not meddle with things；
and so do not ruin or lose them。
It is the nature of things either to lead the way； or follow after。
Either to breathe in through the nose； or blow out through the mouth。
They are either strong； or weak。 They either make it； or fail。
This is why wise people do away with excess；
and do away with waste and extravagance。
30
Forcing the Issue： Force provokes retribution
Those who use the Tao to assist their ruler do not use military force；
for such actions are likely to provoke retribution。
Where the army has been； thorns and thistles will grow。
After a great battle there will follow years of famine。
The skillful are successful； yet do not presume to take things by force。
Successful； yet not boasting。 Successful； yet not punishing。
Successful； yet not arrogant。 Successful； yet not taking advantage。
Successful； yet not dominating。
Even what is strong； in time； becomes old。
It is said that this is not the Tao；
and all things not with the Tao； will meet an early end。
31
The Killing Fields： War is a last resort
Now； weapons are instruments of misfortune；
and despised by the whole world。
So those who are with the Tao will have nothing to do with them。
When a noble person is at home
he grants most importance to those at his left side。
But when he is at war
he grants most importance to those at his right side。
Weapons are instruments of misfortune。
They are not the instrument of the noble person。
Only when he has no choice will he use them。
It is best to be cool and calm。 Victory is not beautiful。
But those who think it is beautiful； enjoy killing people。
Those who enjoy killing people
will not find what they want anywhere in the world。
In good times the place of honor is on the left。
In bad times the place of honor is on the right。
It is the second…in…command of the army who sits on the left；
and the first…in…command of the army who sits on the right。
This is to say；
these are the same positions they would take when at a funeral。
When a great number of people have been killed；
it is an occasion for sorrow and mourning。
When the battle is won； conduct a funeral for those slain。
32
Simplicity： The Tao cannot be controlled； only followed
The Tao shall be forever nameless。
Even though it may appear to be trivial；
it is the pristine state。
The world cannot control it。
If princes and kings hold to this； the whole world would cooperate。
Then Heaven and Earth would unite to pour forth sweet dew。
People； without being commanded； would act fairly to one other。
In order to exercise control over something； we name it；
but all we have is a name。
Knowing when to stop doing this； we avoid trouble。
For the Tao goes through the world like a valley stream
leading us to the rivers and ocean。
33
Immortality： Knowing ourselves
Those who know others are clever；
but those who know themselves are wise。
Those who conquer others have great strength；
but those who conquer themselves have the greater power。
Knowing when we have enough is prosperity。
With self discipline； we develop strength of character。
In not forgetting who we are； we live forever。
To die； yet not to perish； is to be immortal。
34
Nourishment： All life is cared for by the Tao
The Great Way is boundless！ It flows in every direction。
All things depend upon it for life； and it does not fail them。
It works in our favor； yet claims no credit。
The Tao clothes and cares for all things； without being their master。
We can say it is small；
yet it is a refuge for all things；without controlling any thing。
We can say it is great；
but the Tao does not make a big thing of itself；
and so is able to achieve great things。
35
The Big Picture： The Tao is unlike the world of appearance
Observe the world as a vast unfolding appearance。
Events transpire harmlessly in great peace and serenity。
Music and enticing food may make those passing by stop。
But when the word 揟ao？leaves our mouth；
it has no taste； and is without flavor。
Looked for； it cannot be found。
Listened for； it cannot be heard。
Yet when used； it is inexhaustible。
36
Reverse Psychology： Doing the opposite to get what we want
If we want to fold something up； we must first spread it out。
If we want to weaken something； we must first strengthen it。
If we want to get rid of something； we must first encourage it。
If we want to have something； we must first let it go。
This is called The Secret Wisdom：
That the soft and the weak shall overcome the hard and the strong。
As a fish should not be taken from its pool；
so a country抯 resources should not be displayed。
37
The Catalyst： Accepting what is leads to peace
The Tao never does anything； yet there is nothing it leaves undone。
If our leaders could hold to this； everything would be transformed。
If transformation occurs and desires still arise；
I will cool them down with the nameless original simplicity。
If I cool them with the nameless original simplicity；
they will be free of desires。
If they are free of desires there will be tranquillity；
and all will be right with the world。
38
True or False？ What happens when we lose the Tao
Those who are most worthy don抰 make an issue of their worth；
this is why they are worthy。
Those who are least worthy never let go of their self…importance；
this is why they are not worthy。
Great character is natural and not contrived。
Lesser character may look natural； but it is an act。
When true kindness is performed；
it is done without thought of the result。
When true justice is applied；
it is done with deliberation。
If we are considerate in our actions； and yet no agreement is reached；
then preparations are made for conflict and confrontation。
So it is； that when the Tao is lost； righteousness remains。
After righteousness is lost； kindness remains。
After kindness is lost； justice remains。
After justice is lost； polite behavior remains。
Those who rely on polite behavior inspire superficial loyalties；
and this is the beginning of disorder。
Until we become familiar with it；
our knowledge of the Tao is superficial。
This is the beginning of ignorance。