Chapter 51
All under heaven has a beginning, which may be regarded as the mother of all under heaven.
Having attained the mother, thereby know her children. Having known her children, return to abide with the mother. Until the end of your life, you will not be imperiled.
Block the openings, close the gates, and throughout your life you will not toil.
Open the openings, multiply your affairs, and throughout your life you cannot be saved.
To perceive the subtle is called clarity; to maintain softness is called strength.
Use the outer light to return to inner clarity, leaving no calamity to the self; this is called practicing the constant.