16
The (state of) vacancy
should be brought to the utmost degree,
and that of stillness guarded with unwearying vigour. All things
alike go through
their processes of activity, and (then) we see them
return (to their original state).
When things (in the vegetable
world)
have displayed their luxuriant growth, we see each of them
return to its root. This returning to their root is what we
call the
state of stillness; and that stillness may be called a reporting that
they have fulfilled their appointed end.
The report of that fulfilment is the regular, unchanging rule. To
know that unchanging rule is to
be intelligent; not to know it leads
to wild movements and evil issues. The knowledge of that unchanging
rule produces
a (grand) capacity and forbearance, and that capacity
and forbearance lead to a community (of feeling with all things).
From
this community of feeling comes a kingliness of character; and he
who is king-like goes on to be heaven-like. In that likeness
to
heaven he possesses the Tao. Possessed of the Tao, he endures long;
and to the end of his bodily life, is exempt
from all danger of decay.
