32

"Way-making (dao) is really nameless (wuming). Although in this unworked state it is of little consequence, No one in the world would dare to condescend to it. Were the nobles and kings able to respect this, All things (wanwu) would defer of their own accord. The heavens and the earth would come together To send down their sweet honey, And without being so ordered, The common people would see that it is distributed equitably. When we start to regulate the world we introduce names. But once names have been assigned, We must also know when to stop. Knowing when to stop is how to avoid danger. As an analogy to describe way-making in the world: The small creeks flow into the rivers and seas."