Verse 18: Weak Practice
When the Way is neglected,
values of charity and virtue appear.
Wisdom and understanding emerge
together with great delusion.
When the Way is neglected,
values of charity and virtue appear.
Wisdom and understanding emerge
together with great delusion.
The ultimate Weavers of the Way?
No one even knows they’re here.
Approach absolute voidness,
preserve the profound center.
All that exists acts
from its origin and returns to it.
To perfect Weaving the Way,
master the mysteries
deep beyond knowledge.
Vision without sight: “profound.”
Hearing without listening: “silent.”
Holding without gaining: “formless”
Honor and shame are extras.
Regard caring as your core.
The five colors cause people’s eyes to go blind.
The five sounds cause people’s ears to go deaf.
The five flavors cause people’s mouths to spoil.
Thirty spokes join at one hub.
Integrating what isn’t and is,
makes a cart useful.
Sustain the unity of Yang and Yin,
Can it be separated?
Caress and soften the breath,
Can it be pure and united?
Excessive accumulation.
Stop!
Endless forging and sharpening
Ruins the edge.