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"One who is vital in character (de) Can be compared with a newborn baby. Wasps and scorpions will not sting a baby, Snakes and vipers will not bite him, And birds of prey and ferocious beasts will not snatch him up. Though his bones are soft and his sinews supple His grip is firm. As yet oblivious to the copulation of male and female His member still stands erect: Such is the height of potency. He screams through the entire day And yet his voice does not get hoarse: Such is the height of harmony (he). Understanding harmony is common sense, And using common sense is acuity (ming). On the other hand, trying to increase one’s quantum of life is certainly a bad omen, While allowing the heart-mind to use up the qi one has, is to overdo things. For something to be old while in its prime Is called a departure from the way of things (dao). And whatever departs from the way of things will come to an untimely end."
Author
Lao TzuAll Translations
"One who is vital in character (de) Can be compared with a newborn baby. Wasps and scorpions will not sting a baby, Snakes and vipers will not bite him, And birds of prey and ferocious beasts will not snatch him up. Though his bones are soft and his sinews supple His grip is firm. As yet oblivious to the copulation of male and female His member still stands erect: Such is the height of potency. He screams through the entire day And yet his voice does not get hoarse: Such is the height of harmony (he). Understanding harmony is common sense, And using common sense is acuity (ming). On the other hand, trying to increase one’s quantum of life is certainly a bad omen, While allowing the heart-mind to use up the qi one has, is to overdo things. For something to be old while in its prime Is called a departure from the way of things (dao). And whatever departs from the way of things will come to an untimely end."