25.
There was something, formless, perfect before the universe was born. It is serene, empty, unchanging, infinitive, eternal, present. It is the Mother of the Universe. For lack of a better name - I call it the Tao. It flows through all things inside and outside and returns to the origin of all things. The Tao is great. The Universe is great. Earth is great. Man is great. These are the four great powers. Man follows Earth, Earth follows Universe and the Universe follows the Tao. The Tao follows only itself.
26.
The heavy is the root of light. The unmoved is the source of all movement. Thus the Master travels all day without leaving home. However, splendid the views, she stays serenely in her self. Why should the Lord of the country flit about like a fool? If you let yourself be blown to and for you lose touch with your root. If you let restlessness move you, you lose touch with who you are.
27.
A good travel has not fixed plans and does not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuitions lead him where ever he wants. A good scientist has freed himself of concepts and keeps his mind open to what is. Thus the Master is available to all people and doesn't reject anyone. He is ready to use all situations and doesn't waste anything. This is called embodying the light. What is a good man but a bad man's teacher. What is a bad man but a good man's job. If you don't understand this you will get lost however intelligent you are. Is the the Great Secret.
28.
Know the male yet keep to the female. Receive the world in your own arms. If you receive the world, the Tao will never leave you and you will be like a little child. Know the white yet keep to the black. Be a pattern for the world. If you are pattern for the world the Tao will be strong inside you and there will be nothing you can't do. Know the personal yet keep to the impersonal. The Tao will be luminous inside you and you will return to your primal self. The world is formed from the void like utensils from a block of wood. The Master knows the utensils but keeps to the block, thus she can use all things.
29.
Do you want to improve your world? I don't think it can be done. The world is saved. It can't be improved. If you tamper with it you'll ruin it. If you treat it like an object, you will lose it. There is a time for being ahead, a time for being behind, at time for being in motion, a time for being at rest, a time for being vigorous, a time for being exhausted, a time for being safe, a time for being in danger. The Master sees things as they are without trying to control them and resides at the center of the circle.
30.
Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men, doesn't try to force issues or defeat enemies by force of arms. For every force there is a counter force. Violence, even well intended, always rebounds upon oneself. The Master does his job then stops. He understands that the universe is forever in control and trying to dominate events goes against the current of the Tao. Because he believes in himself he doesn't try to convince others. Because he's content with himself he doesn't need other's approval. Because he accepts himself the world accepts him.
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