Effect emptiness to the extreme. Keep stillness whole. Myriad things are in concert. I therefore watch their return. All things flourish and each returns to his root. Returning to the root is called quietude. Quietude is called returning to life. Return to life is called constant. Knowing this constant is called illumination. Acting arbitrarily eithout [...]
The ancient masters of the Tao Had subtle marvelous mystic penetration A depth that cannot be known. It is exactly because they are unknowable. That we are forced to pay attention to their appearance, Hesistant, like one crossing an ice-covered river. Ready, like one afraid of his neighbors on all sides. Dignified, like a guest. [...]
Look for it, it cannot be seen. It is called the distant. Listen for it, it cannot be heard. It is called the rare. Reach for it, it cannot be gotten. It is called the subtle. These three ultimately cannot be fathomed. Therefore they join to become one. Its top is not bright; Its bottom [...]
Accept humiliation as a surprise. Value great misfortune as your own self. What do I mean by “Accept humiliation as a surprise”? When you are humble Attainment is a surprise And so is loss. That’s why I say, “Accept humiliation as a surprise.” What do I mean by “Value great misfortune as your own self?” [...]
The five colors blind our eyes. The five tones deafen our ears. The five flavors confuse our taste. Racing and hunting madden our minds. Possessing rare treasures brings about harmful behavior. Therefore the sage regards his center, and not his eyes. He lets go of that and chooses this.
Thirty spokes join together in the hub. It is because of what is not there that the cart is useful. Clay is formed into a vessel. It is because of its emptiness that the vessel is useful. Cut doors and windows to make a room. It is because of the emptiness that the room is [...]
