The Way is hidden, but is constant in application.
Creative living is without anxiety,
Emotionless, unexpressed,
It brings forth goods and may overcome them.
But not-having a mind to dwell,
Confusion and inner conflicts reign.
Without conscious action, produce.
After no deep thought, feel, without desires,
As matter is; all things are.
So we need no knowledge of this,
To be true and not know.
It is only this mystery within:
Yet is it the mark of Way-giving
That in all directions it leads.
other readings further drafts from the same generation
deeper strata where the meaning thins
the original
1.
The movement of the Tao
By contraries proceeds;
And weakness marks the course
Of Tao's mighty deeds.
2. All things under heaven sprang from It as existing (and named);
that existence sprang from It as non-existent (and not named).