| | It is said: "How great was that time! I tell you that if you do not hear the Dao, you will be afraid of calamity coming to your body." Happy are the people! I give you life, I punish you, I regulate you, I enrich you, I destroy you, I preserve your longevity, and I bestow names upon you. Therefore it is said: "The beauty of literature leads to the destruction of one's body; those who consider themselves wise, therefore, are insufficient." The beauty of a horn causes the killing of its ox; words of splendor and glory will later have straw. All those who succeed must not be idle; observing the sage, one sees that he always seizes the right moment. A mountain may have jade but is harmed by it; thus, the people's troubles lie in words. The course of time requires diligence and movement; those who do not know the Dao turn blessings into misfortunes. Following the right timing also demands diligence in action; those who lack knowledge perish with their blessings. Therefore it is said: "A fat pig will surely be slaughtered, a sweet spring will inevitably dry up, and a straight tree will certainly be cut down." When the earth produces things, the sage is in tune with that time; when the cock crows, people take it as a sign of the hour. Observing all things under heaven, what should one seek? Therefore, when Heaven has its time, people regard it as the norm; when the earth produces benefits, the people contend for them. When people devise plans, the sage regulates them. Establishing five punishments, the people then show reverence. Teach the people with propriety and they will not contend; impose punishment upon them, and they begin to listen. Follow their abilities, and the people will then be at peace. Therefore, the fox has teeth but dares not bite; the weasel has claws but dares not scratch. One in a low position cannot become great. Holding desires and maintaining balance, one does not covet harmful things. Whoever upholds the Dao must not be small-minded. Therefore, when a tree is felled, it becomes the axe's victim; when bandits arise in trouble, they originate from those nearby. When two people follow the same method, who is enlightened and who is blind? Two tigers sharing a den—whose will die and whose will live? Therefore, the tiger's ferocity leads it to fall into a trap; human wisdom may lead one to be ensnared by deceit. The beauty of leaves causes their branches to break off; the beauty of branches causes them to separate from the trunk; and the beauty of the trunk results in its root being exposed. When an arrow is about to come, one cannot do without a shield. Therefore, when there are beasts in the marshland, their grass is burned. When great danger is about to arrive, one cannot rely on cleverness; burning the grass and trees leaves no seeds behind. When great peril approaches, one must not depend on bravery alone. Therefore, Heaven's creation is inherently measured; the troubles of a state arise from separation by fate. The earth's production has its inherent growth; the afflictions of a nation stem from schemes that cause division. Therefore, when time returns, it does so without partiality in appearance; when the sun rises, its illumination is impartial. The movement of time proceeds smoothly without resistance; those who rule the world employ grand strategies. The flame of fire is fixed upward—those governing the realm must lead like shepherds. Water flows downward by nature; where this does not happen, rafts are needed to navigate. Therefore, can blessings arise without distinguishing good from evil? Misfortune arising—does it not also stem from failing to distinguish between good and evil? Therefore, how can a peaceful state be achieved? How about the inclination of a country, its downfall, its governance, its isolation, and its destruction—how can these be addressed? Therefore, at midday the sun is slanting; when the moon reaches its full phase, it may be eclipsed. When authority is lost, yin consumes yang. A wise ruler of a state ensures that things proceed in order. All things under heaven must have their constants; if a sovereign lacks the Dao, he will perish subtly. Therefore, Heaven serves as a canopy and Earth as an axle. Those who skillfully employ the Dao remain inexhaustible in the end; Earth is the axle, Heaven the canopy—those who wisely follow the Dao will ultimately suffer no harm. Between Heaven and Earth there are cold and hot forces; those who skillfully apply the Dao remain never exhausted. Enumerate the Five Elements, and there must be dominance among them. All that Heaven covers can be named; therefore, all things are born with a nature to follow, yet when they return, their nature tends toward unity. Hence, one should not favor darkness over light, nor yin over yang, nor shortness over length, nor softness over hardness. Therefore, though the sea is vast, what fish can be captured? Though mountains are deep and remote, how can tigers, leopards, and mythical beasts like pixiu be subdued? Human wisdom is profound—how can it be measured? Even with quick movements and subtle breathing, how can one truly manage or guide them? Though jade and stone are hard, what can be carved from them? The names of yin and yang—what causes their designation? The union of male and female—what brings about their mating? A gentleman who does not discern will find blessings do not come. Therefore, aversion without attainment gives rise to accidents; desire unfulfilled leads to deceit. Wanting to 伐 (cut down) but failing produces axes and handles; desiring birds yet failing brings nets into being. Desiring the world thus creates action; a hidden heart generates concealment; a great heart begets strength; a jealous heart begets victory. Therefore, Heaven is high and Earth is low—why should you take joy or anger in examining your own body? Heaven is ancient, Earth enduring. Observing all things, names originate at the beginning: left is named left, right is named right. Looking upon myriad beings, numbers serve as records. The course of records proceeds with benefit yet without fixed direction, advancing without end. By observing human feelings and the hierarchy of benefits, one understands that the great Dao is completed but never altered. Applying this great Dao, one knows its ultimate nature: adding it to affairs brings all things into subjection; applying its principles ensures a gathering of followers. Adding it to objects makes one their ruler; elevating cultivation leads to order; applying it universally makes one emperor.
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