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Chapter 16
第十六章
The (state of) vacancy should be brought to the utmost degree, and that of stillness guarded with unwearying vigour.
致虚极，守静笃，
All things alike go through their processes of activity, and (then) we see them return (to their original state).
万物并作，吾以观其复。
When things (in the vegetable world) have displayed their luxuriant growth, we see each of them return to its root.
夫物芸芸，各复归其根。
This returning to their root is what we call the state of stillness;
归根曰静，
and that stillness may be called a reporting that they have fulfilled their appointed end.
是谓复命。
The report of that fulfilment is the regular, unchanging rule.
复命曰常，
To know that unchanging rule is to be intelligent; not to know it leads to wild movements and evil issues.
知常曰明，不知常，妄作，凶。
The knowledge of that unchanging rule produces a (grand) capacity and forbearance,
知常容，
and that capacity and forbearance lead to a community (of feeling with all things).
容乃公，
From this community of feeling comes a kingliness of character; and he who is king-like goes on to be heaven-like.
公乃全，全乃天，
In that likeness to heaven he possesses the Tao.
天乃道，
Possessed of the Tao, he endures long; and to the end of his bodily life, is exempt from all danger of decay.
道乃久，没身不殆。
