16

"Reach the pole of emptiness (hsü-chi), Abide in genuine quietude (ching). Ten thousand beings flourish together, I am to contemplate (kuan) their return (fu). Now things grow profusely, Each again returns (kuei) to its root. To return to the root is to attain quietude (ching), It is called to recover life (ming). To recover life is to attain the Everlasting (ch'ang), To know the Everlasting (ch'ang) is to be illumined (ming). Not knowing (chih) the Everlasting (ch'ang), One commits evils wantonly. Knowing the Everlasting one becomes all containing (yung). To be all containing is to be public (kung). To be public is to be kingly (wang). To be kingly is to be like heaven. To be like heaven is to be like Tao. To be like Tao is to last long. This is to lose the body without becoming exhausted (pu tai)."