These in the past have attained wholeness: Heaven attains wholeness with its clarity; The Earth attains wholeness with its firmness; The Spirit attains wholeness with its transcendance; The Valley attains wholeness when filled; The Myriad Things attain wholeness in life; The Ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people. In effecting this: If [...]
True virtue is not virtuous Therefore it has virtue. Superficial virtue never fails to be virtuous Therefore it has no virtue. True virtue does not “act” and has no intentions. Superficial virtue “acts” And always has intentions. True humaneness “acts” But has no intentions. True rightness “acts” But has intentions. True propriety “acts” and if [...]
The Tao is always “not-doing” Yet there is nothing it doesn’t do. If the ruler is able to embody it Everything will naturally change. Being changed, they desire to act. So I must restrain them, using the nameless “uncarved block (original mind).” Using the nameless uncarved block They become desireless. Desireless, they are tranquil and [...]
That which will be shrunk Must first be stretched. That which will be weakened Must first be strengthened. That which will be torn down Must first be raised up. That which will be taken Must first be given. This is called “subtle illumination.” The gentle and soft overcomes the hard and aggressive. A fish cannot [...]
Holding to the Great Form All pass away. They pass away unharmed, resting in Great Peace. It is for food and music that the passing traveler stops. When the Tao appears from its opening It is so subtle, it has no taste. Look at it, you cannot see it. Listen, you cannot hear it. Use [...]
The Tao is like a great flooding river.  How can it be directed to the left or right? The myriad things rely on it for their life but do not distinguish it. It brings to completion but cannot be said to exist. It clothes and feeds all things without lording over them. It is always [...]
