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4。 But I have heard that he who is skilful in managing the life entrusted
to him for a time travels on the land without having to shun rhinoceros or
tiger； and enters a host without having to avoid buff coat or sharp weapon。
The rhinoceros finds no place in him into which to thrust its horn； nor the
tiger a place in which to fix its claws； nor the weapon a place to admit its
point。 And for what reason？ Because there is in him no place of death。
51。 1。 All things are produced by the Tao； and nourished by its
outflowing operation。 They receive their forms according to the nature
of each； and are completed according to the circumstances of their
condition。 Therefore all things without exception honour the Tao； and
exalt its outflowing operation。
2。 This honouring of the Tao and exalting of its operation is not the
result of any ordination； but always a spontaneous tribute。
3。 Thus it is that the Tao produces （all things）； nourishes them； brings
them to their full growth； nurses them； completes them； matures them；
maintains them； and overspreads them。
4。 It produces them and makes no claim to the possession of them； it
carries them through their processes and does not vaunt its ability in doing
so； it brings them to maturity and exercises no control over them；this is
called its mysterious operation。
52。 1。 （The Tao） which originated all under the sky is to be
considered as the mother of them all。
2。 When the mother is found； we know what her children should be。
When one knows that he is his mother's child； and proceeds to guard （the
qualities of） the mother that belong to him； to the end of his life he will be
free from all peril。
3。 Let him keep his mouth closed； and shut up the portals （of his
nostrils）； and all his life he will be exempt from laborious exertion。 Let
him keep his mouth open； and （spend his breath） in the promotion of his
affairs； and all his life there will be no safety for him。
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4。 The perception of what is small is （the secret of clear… sightedness；
the guarding of what is soft and tender is （the secret of） strength。
5。 Who uses well his light； Reverting to its （source so） bright；
Will from his body ward all blight； And hides the unchanging from
men's sight。
53。 1。 If I were suddenly to become known； and （put into a position to）
conduct （a government） according to the Great Tao； what I should be most
afraid of would be a boastful display。
2。 The great Tao （or way） is very level and easy； but people love the
by…ways。
3。 Their court（…yards and buildings） shall be well kept； but their fields
shall be ill…cultivated； and their granaries very empty。 They shall wear
elegant and ornamented robes； carry a sharp sword at their girdle； pamper
themselves in eating and drinking； and have a superabundance of property
and wealth；such （princes） may be called robbers and boasters。 This is
contrary to the Tao surely！
54。 1。 What （Tao's） skilful planter plants Can never be uptorn；
What his skilful arms enfold； From him can ne'er be borne。
Sons shall bring in lengthening line； Sacrifices to his shrine。
2。 Tao when nursed within one's self； His vigour will make true；
And where the family it rules What riches will accrue！ The
neighbourhood where it prevails In thriving will abound； And
when 'tis seen throughout the state； Good fortune will be found。
Employ it the kingdom o'er； And men thrive all around。
3。 In this way the effect will be seen in the person； by the observation
of different cases； in the family； in the neighbourhood； in the state； and in
the kingdom。
4。 How do I know that this effect is sure to hold thus all under the sky？
By this （method of observation）。
55。 1。 He who has in himself abundantly the attributes （of the Tao） is
like an infant。 Poisonous insects will not sting him； fierce beasts will not
seize him； birds of prey will not strike him。
2。 （The infant's） bones are weak and its sinews soft； but yet its grasp is
firm。 It knows not yet the union of male and female； and yet its virile
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member may be excited；showing the perfection of its physical essence。
All day long it will cry without its throat becoming hoarse；showing the
harmony （in its constitution）。
3。 To him by whom this harmony is known； （The secret of） the
unchanging （Tao） is shown； And in the knowledge wisdom finds its
throne。 All life…increasing arts to evil turn； Where the mind makes
the vital breath to burn； （False） is the strength； （and o'er it we should
mourn。）
4。 When things have become strong； they （then） become old； which
may be said to be contrary to the Tao。 Whatever is contrary to the Tao
soon ends。
56。 1。 He who knows （the Tao） does not （care to） speak （about it）； he
who is （ever ready to） speak about it does not know it。
2。 He （who knows it） will keep his mouth shut and close the portals （of
his nostrils）。 He will blunt his sharp points and unravel the
complications of things； he will attemper his brightness； and bring himself
into agreement with the obscurity （of others）。 This is called 'the
Mysterious Agreement。'
3。 （Such an one） cannot be treated familiarly or distantly； he is beyond
all consideration of profit or injury； of nobility or meanness：he is the
noblest man under heaven。
57。 1。 A state may be ruled by （measures of） correction； weapons of
war may be used with crafty dexterity； （but） the kingdom is made one's
own （only） by freedom from action and purpose。
2。 How do I know that it is so？ By these facts：In the kingdom the
multiplication of prohibitive enactments increases the poverty of the
people； the more implements to add to their profit that the people have； the
greater disorder is there in the state and clan； the more acts of crafty
dexterity that men possess； the more do strange contrivances appear； the
more display there is of legislation； the more thieves and robbers there are。
3。 Therefore a sage has said； 'I will do nothing （of purpose）； and the
people will be transformed of themselves； I will be fond of keeping still；
and the people will of themselves become correct。 I will take no trouble
about it； and the people will of themselves become rich； I will manifest no
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ambition； and the people will of themselves attain to the primitive
simplicity。'
58。 1。 The government that seems the most unwise； Oft goodness
to the people best supplies； That which is meddling； touching
everything； Will work but ill； and disappointment bring。
Misery！happiness is to be found by its side！ Happiness！misery
lurks beneath it！ Who knows what either will come to in the end？
2。 Shall we then dispense with correction？ The （method of）
correction shall by a turn become distortion； and the good in it shall by a
turn become evil。 The delusion of the people （on this point） has indeed
subsisted for a long time。
3。 Therefore the sage is （like） a square which cuts no one （with its
angles）； （like） a corner which injures no one （with its sharpness）。 He is
straightforward； but allows himself no license； he is bright； but does not
dazzle。
59。 1。 For regulating the human （in our constitution） and rendering
the （proper） service to the heavenly； there is nothing like moderation。
2。 It is only by this moderation that there is effected an early return （to
man's normal state）。 That early return is what I call the repeated
accumulation of the