FIFTY-FIVE

THE MYSTERIOUS CHARM

He who possesses Virtue in all its solidity is like unto a little child.

Venemous  reptiles do not sting him,

Fierce beasts do not seize him,

Birds of prey do not strike him.

His bones are weak, his sinews tender,

But his grasp is firm.

He does not yet knows the relation between male and female,

But his virility is strong.

Thus his metal grows to perfection.

A whole day might cry and sob without growing hoarse.

This shows the perfection of his harmony.

To know the harmonious is called the eternal.

To know the eternal is called enlightenment.

To increase life is called a blessing,

and heart-directed vitality is called strength,

But things vigorous are about to grow old and I call this the opposite of Tao.

The opposite of the great Tao ceases.

LAO TSU.