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Tranquility is called returning to one’s nature

Returning to one’s nature is called constancy

Knowing constancy is called clarity2

Not knowing constancy, one recklessly causes trouble

Knowing constancy is acceptance3

Acceptance is impartiality

Impartiality is sovereign

Sovereign is Heaven4

Heaven is Tao

Tao is eternal

The self is no more, without danger

17

The highest rulers, people do not know they have them1

The next level, people love them and praise them

The next level, people fear them

The next level, people despise them2

If the rulers’ trust is insufficient

Have no trust in them

Proceeding calmly, valuing their words

Task accomplished, matter settled

The people all say, “We did it naturally”3

18

The great Tao fades away

There is benevolence and justice1

Intelligence comes forth

There is great deception

The six relations are not harmonious

There is filial piety and kind affection2

The country is in confused chaos

There are loyal ministers3

19

End sagacity; abandon knowledge1

The people benefit a hundred times

End benevolence; abandon righteousness

The people return to piety and charity

End cunning; discard profit

Bandits and thieves no longer exist

These three things are superficial and insufficient

Thus this teaching has its place:

Show plainness; hold simplicity

Reduce selfishness; decrease desires

20

Cease learning, no more worries1

Respectful response and scornful response

How much is the difference?

Goodness and evil

How much do they differ?2

What the people fear, I cannot be unafraid3

So desolate! How limitless it is!4

The people are excited

As if enjoying a great feast

As if climbing up to the terrace in spring

I alone am quiet and uninvolved

Like an infant not yet smiling5

So weary, like having no place to return

The people all have surplus

While I alone seem lacking

I have the heart of a fool indeed—so ignorant!

Ordinary people are bright

I alone am muddled

Ordinary people are scrutinizing

I alone am obtuse6

Such tranquility, like the ocean

Such high wind, as if without limits7

The people all have goals

And I alone am stubborn and lowly

I alone am different from them

And value the nourishing mother8

21

The appearance of great virtue

Follows only the Tao

The Tao, as a thing

Seems indistinct, seems unclear

So unclear, so indistinct

Within it there is image

So indistinct, so unclear1

Within it there is substance

So deep, so profound

Within it there is essence2

Its essence is supremely real

Within it there is faith

From ancient times to the present

Its name never departs3

To observe the source of all things

How do I know the nature of the source?

With this

22

Yield and remain whole

Bend and remain straight1

Be low and become filled

Be worn out and become renewed

Have little and receive2

Have much and be confused

Therefore the sages hold to the one as an example for the world

Without flaunting themselves—and so are seen clearly3

Without presuming themselves—and so are distinguished

Without praising themselves—and so have merit

Without boasting about themselves—and so are lasting

Because they do not contend, the world cannot contend with them4

What the ancients called “the one who yields and remains whole”5

Were they speaking empty words?

Sincerity becoming whole, and returning to oneself

23

Sparse speech is natural

Thus strong wind does not last all morning

Sudden rain does not last all day

What makes this so? Heaven and Earth

Even Heaven and Earth cannot make it last

How can humans?1

Thus those who follow the Tao are with the Tao

Those who follow virtue are with virtue

Those who follow loss are with loss

Those who are with the Tao, the Tao is also pleased to have them

Those who are with virtue, virtue is also pleased to have them

Those who are with loss, loss is also pleased to have them2

Those who do not trust sufficiently, others have no trust in them

24

Those who are on tiptoes cannot stand1

Those who straddle cannot