Tao - the profound cosmic Tao
swaying across the cosmos,
paving the way that leads to the physical universe
being bound to the subtle essences of time
and space
flowering as genuine water
bringing all things to their equilibrium
literally self-creating
this "polarizing (mechanical) reality"
other readings further drafts from the same generation
deeper strata where the meaning thins
the original
1. Heaven is long-enduring and earth continues long. The reason
why heaven and earth are able to endure and continue thus long is
because they do not live of, or for, themselves. This is how they are
able to continue and endure.
2. Therefore the sage puts his own person last, and yet it is found in
the foremost place; he treats his person as if it were foreign to him,
and yet that person is preserved. Is it not because he has no
personal and private ends, that therefore such ends are realised?