Chapter 28
IndexThose who aspire to govern the world and shape it to their will, I see that they cannot succeed.
The world is a sacred vessel that cannot be controlled. Those who try to control it will ruin it. Those who try to grasp it will lose it.
Therefore, things sometimes lead, sometimes follow; sometimes exhale, sometimes inhale; sometimes strengthen, sometimes weaken; sometimes rise, sometimes fall.
Therefore, the sage avoids extremes, avoids extravagance, avoids excess.