In desiring to be before the citizens, He must by means of his self be behind them. Thus the sage : Lives above them, but the citizens are not burdened. Lives in front of them, but the citizens are not harmed. Thus the world is pleased to promote him, and does not tire of him. Because he does not strive, Therefore no one in the world can strive against him. POST-GUODIAN Eleven Thirty spokes of a wheel share one hub; In its emptiness exists the usefulness of the cart. Mix water with clay thus making a vessel; In its emptiness exists the usefulness of the vessel. Cut out doors and windows thus making a room; In their emptiness exists the usefulness of the room. Therefore : what exists thus makes a thing profitable; Emptiness thus makes it useful. Twenty six Serious serves as the source of frivolous. Stillness serves as the ruler of restlessness. Thus the noble man travels the entire day, And does not stray from his wagon. He is serious, even though glorious sights and feasts exist; He lives above them, like this. So how could one be the master of ten thousand chariots, And conduct his self frivolously in the world? Be frivolous, then lose the source. Be restless, then lose the rulership. Thirty three He who knows people is wise; He who knows himself has insight. He who is victorious over people possesses power; He who is victorious over himself is strong. He who knows he has enough is wealthy; He who uses force possesses ambition. He who does not lose his place endures; He who dies yet does not perish has longevity. Thirty six When you are about to gather something, You must have originally spread it out. When you are about to weaken something, You must have originally strengthened it. When you are about to abandon something, You must have originally been interested in it. When you are about to seize something, You must have originally given it. This is called subtle and obscure insight. What is soft and weak conquers what is hard and strong. Fish can not escape from the deep; The sharp tools of the nation Can not be shown to the people. Forty The movement of Dao returns things. The function of Dao is to weaken things. The ten thousand creatures of the world are created from being; Being is created from non-being. Forty two Dao creates one. One creates two. Two creates three. Three creates the ten thousand creatures. The ten thousand creatures carry Yin and embrace Yang, Pouring their Qi together, thus becoming harmonious. That which people detest : Being alone, orphaned, lonely, and unlucky – Yet kings and nobles thus name themselves. Therefore : creatures Sometimes lose, yet they gain; Sometimes gain, yet they lose.