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"The world (t'ien hsia) has an origin (shih), Which is the world's (t'ien hsia) mother (mu). Having reached the mother, (We) know her child. Having known the child, Return and abide by its mother. (In this way) one loses the body without becoming exhausted. Stop the apertures (tui), Close the doors, (In this way) one's whole life (shen) is without toil (ch'in). Open the apertures, Going about the affairs, (In this way) one's whole life (shen) cannot be saved. To see the small is called illumination (ming). To abide by the soft is called strength. Use the bright light (kuang), But return to the dim light (ming), Do not expose your life (shen) to perils, Such is to follow (hsi) the everlasting (ch'ang)."
Author
Lao TzuAll Translations
English
"The world (t'ien hsia) has an origin (shih), Which is the world's (t'ien hsia) mother (mu). Having reached the mother, (We) know her child. Having known the child, Return and abide by its mother. (In this way) one loses the body without becoming exhausted. Stop the apertures (tui), Close the doors, (In this way) one's whole life (shen) is without toil (ch'in). Open the apertures, Going about the affairs, (In this way) one's whole life (shen) cannot be saved. To see the small is called illumination (ming). To abide by the soft is called strength. Use the bright light (kuang), But return to the dim light (ming), Do not expose your life (shen) to perils, Such is to follow (hsi) the everlasting (ch'ang)."