The sage is one with the world, and lives in harmony with it.
The Way begets one; one begets two; two begets three; three begets the myriad creatures.
Things exalted then decay. This is going against the Way. What goes against the Way meets an early end.
Praise and disgrace cause fear.
Weapons are not proper instruments for gentle people; they use them only when they have no other choice. Peace and quiet are what they value. They do not glory in victory.
A violent wind does not outlast the morning; a squall of rain does not outlast the day. Such is the course of Nature. And if Nature herself cannot sustain her efforts long, how much less can man!