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55
He who has in himself abundantly
the attributes (of the Tao) is
like an infant. Poisonous insects will not sting him; fierce beasts
will
not seize him; birds of prey will not strike him.
(The infant's) bones are weak and its sinews soft, but yet its
grasp
is firm. It knows not yet the union of male and female, and yet
its virile member may be excited;--showing the perfection
of its
physical essence. All day long it will cry without its throat
becoming hoarse;--showing the
harmony (in its constitution).
To him by whom this harmony is known,
(The secret of) the unchanging
(Tao) is shown,
And in the knowledge wisdom finds its throne.
All life-increasing arts to evil turn;
Where the mind
makes the vital breath to burn,
(False) is the strength, (and o'er it we should mourn.)
When things
have become strong, they (then) become old, which may
be said to be contrary to the Tao. Whatever is contrary to
the Tao
soon ends.
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