Chapter 55

Someone richly endowed with the qualities of the Tao is like a newborn child. Poisonous insects won’t sting him; fierce beasts won’t seize him; birds of prey won’t strike him.

The infant’s bones are weak and its tendons soft, yet its grip is firm. It knows nothing of the union of male and female, yet its sex can become aroused—showing the perfection of its vital essence. It can cry all day without growing hoarse—showing the harmony of its nature.

To know this harmony is to know the unchanging Tao, and to know the unchanging is wisdom. Trying to force more life into life brings misfortune; when the mind drives the breath, it is called forcing strength—and this should be mourned.

When things grow strong, they then grow old: this is called going against the Tao. Whatever goes against the Tao soon comes to an end.