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15.
The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive
The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable
Because it is unfathomable
All we can do is describe their appearance
Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream
Alert, like men aware of danger
Courteous, like visiting guests
Yielding, like ice about to melt
Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood
Hollow, like caves
Opaque, like muddy pools

Who can wait quietly while the mud settles ?
Who can remain still until the moment of action ?
 Observers of the Tao do not seek fulfillment
Not seeking fulfillment, they are not swayed by desire for change

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14.
Look, it cannot be seen - it is beyond form
Listen, it cannot be heard - it is beyond sound
Grasp, it cannot be held - it is intangible
These three are indefinable
Therefore they are joined in one

From above it is not bright;
Fro below it is not dark;
An unbroken thread beyond description
It return to nothingness
The form of the formless,
The image of imageless,
It is called indefinable and beyond imagination

Stand before it and there is no beginning
Follow it and there is no end
Stay with the ancient Tao
Move with the present

Knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of Tao

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13.
Accept disgrace willingly
Accept misfortune as the human condition

What do you mean by "Accept disgrace willingly" ?
Accept being unimportant
Do not be concerned with loss and gain
This is call "accepting disgrace willingly"

What do you mean by "Accept misfortune as the human condition" ?
Misfortune comes from having a body
Without a body, how could there be misfortune ?

Surrender yourself humbly;
then you can be trusted to care for all things
Love the world as your own self;
then you can truly care for all things

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12.
The five colors blind the eye
The five tones deafen the ear
The five flavors dull the taste
Racing and hunying madden the mind
Precious things lead one astray

Therefore the sage is guided by what
he feels and not by what he sees
He lets go of that and chooses this

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11.
Thirty spokes share the wheel's hub;
It is the center hole that makes it useful
Shape clay into a vessel;
It is the space within that makes it useful
Cut doors and windows for a room;
It is the holes which make it useful
Therefore benefit comes from what is there;
Usefulness from what is not there

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10.
Carrying body and soul and embracing the one
Can you avoid separation ?
Attending fully and becoming supple,
Can you be as a newborn babe ?
Washing and cleansing the primal vision,
Can you be without stain ?
Loving all men and ruling the country,
Can you be without cleverness ?
Opening and closing the gates of heaven,
Can you play the role of woman ?
Understanding and being open to all things,
Are you able to do nothing ?
Giving birth and nourishing,
Bearing yet not possessing,
Working yet not taking credit,
Leading yet not dominating,
This is the Primal Virtue.

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9.
Better to stop short than fill to the brim
Oversharpen the blade and the edge will soon blunt
Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it
Claim wealth and titles, and  disaster will follow
Retire when the work is done
This is the way of heaven