Those who glorify Dao can't keep quiet
Having a true Dao is precious, but you can't do without it
If you're lazy and get too much of everything, you will perish in a flash
Everyone else is complacent and overconfident, giving way to an angry mob
Everyone else is purposeless, helpless, they're suffocating
When you don't abide by how you're born
You're at the mercy of the Tao
Be aware of how much you've been produced
Never surrender
For this way is unlimited
other readings further drafts from the same generation
deeper strata where the meaning thins
the original
1. He whose boldness appears in his daring (to do wrong, in
defiance of the laws) is put to death; he whose boldness appears in
his not daring (to do so) lives on. Of these two cases the one
appears to be advantageous, and the other to be injurious. But
When Heaven's anger smites a man,
Who the cause shall truly scan?
On this account the sage feels a difficulty (as to what to do in the
former case).
2. It is the way of Heaven not to strive, and yet it skilfully
overcomes; not to speak, and yet it is skilful in obtaining a reply;
does not call, and yet men come to it of themselves. Its
demonstrations are quiet, and yet its plans are skilful and effective.
The meshes of the net of Heaven are large; far apart, but letting
nothing escape.