Chapter 16

Empty yourself completely; hold to stillness with steady resolve. All things go through their cycles of activity, and we watch them return to their origin. When plants have flourished in full growth, each one returns to its root. This returning to the root is what we call stillness; and stillness can be called the reporting that they have completed their appointed course.

This report of completion is the constant, unchanging rule. To know this unchanging rule is to be enlightened; not to know it leads to reckless action and bad outcomes. Knowing the unchanging rule produces a great capacity and tolerance, and that capacity and tolerance lead to a shared kinship with all things. From this kinship comes a kingly character; and one who is kingly becomes heaven-like. Being like heaven, he possesses the Tao. Possessing the Tao, he endures long, and to the end of his bodily life is free from any danger of decay.