The Tao, expressed in words, has no Tao; we can only read it off as something meaningful.
It is vague, and on the surface cannot be determined.
The spiritual essence, expressed in images, is fairly clear, as though drawn out of thin air.
The inner mystery is raw, like a baby's first essence.
Where there is calm, there is harmony.
Without fear, even the strongest must be moved.
Of course, within the realm of words lies no lack of profound ideas.
The next step is understanding them, and then we can begin to say where they came from.
other readings further drafts from the same generation
deeper strata where the meaning thins
the original
1. The ancients who showed their skill in practising the Tao did
so, not to enlighten the people, but rather to make them simple and
ignorant.
2. The difficulty in governing the people arises from their having
much knowledge. He who (tries to) govern a state by his wisdom is a
scourge to it; while he who does not (try to) do so is a blessing.
3. He who knows these two things finds in them also his model and
rule. Ability to know this model and rule constitutes what we call
the mysterious excellence (of a governor). Deep and far-reaching is
such mysterious excellence, showing indeed its possessor as opposite
to others, but leading them to a great conformity to him.