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"One who contains te in fullness, Is to be compared to an infant. Wasps, scorpions, and snakes do not bite it, Fierce beasts do not attack it, Birds of prey do not pounce upon it. Its bones weak, its sinews tender, But its grip is firm; Knowing not the union of the female and male animals, Yet its organ stirs. Such is the perfection of its life-force (ching). Crying all day, yet it does not get hoarse. Such is the Perfection of its harmony (ho). To know harmony is to know the everlasting (ch'ang); To know the everlasting is to be illumined (ming). To help life along is to bring ill portend; To use mind (hsin) to direct the life breath (ch'i) is called the strong (ch'iang). When things are full-grown they become old, It is called not following the Way (Tao). Not following the Way one dies early."

Author

Lao Tzu

All Translations

English

"One who contains te in fullness, Is to be compared to an infant. Wasps, scorpions, and snakes do not bite it, Fierce beasts do not attack it, Birds of prey do not pounce upon it. Its bones weak, its sinews tender, But its grip is firm; Knowing not the union of the female and male animals, Yet its organ stirs. Such is the perfection of its life-force (ching). Crying all day, yet it does not get hoarse. Such is the Perfection of its harmony (ho). To know harmony is to know the everlasting (ch'ang); To know the everlasting is to be illumined (ming). To help life along is to bring ill portend; To use mind (hsin) to direct the life breath (ch'i) is called the strong (ch'iang). When things are full-grown they become old, It is called not following the Way (Tao). Not following the Way one dies early."

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