A : presumably, a cup; Lau says that this refers to a vessel in a temple that stood upright when empty but overturned when nearly full (thus you had to hold it to fill it up) B : presumably, a sword or knife; you can only re-shape and re-sharpen it so many times Cross-references accomplishing tasks : #2, #17, #34, #77 and not dwelling on them : #2, #77 self : #7, #13, #16, #26, #44, #52, #54, #66 Way of heaven : #47, #73, #77, #79, #81 Chapter Ten 載 營 魄 抱 一 能 無 離 乎(•) 專 氣 致 柔 能 嬰 兒 乎(•) • 滌 除 玄 覽 能 無 疵 乎(•) 愛 民 治 國 能 無 為 乎(•) 天 門 開 闔 能 為 雌 乎(•) 明 白 四 達 能 無 [以] 知 乎(•) 生 之 畜 之 生 而 不 有 為 而 不 恃 長 而 不 宰 是 謂 玄 德 Carrying and managing a body while embracing the One, Are you able to not separate them? Concentrating your Qi to become soft, Are you able to be like a newborn infant? Cleansing and clearing your deep and mysterious perception, Are you able to be without blemish? Loving the citizens and governing the nation, Are you able to use non-action? Opening and closing the gateway of heaven, Are you able to serve as the feminine? Attaining clear insight in all directions, Are you able to not use your knowledge? Creating them and raising them, Creating but not possessing, Acting but not concerned with the results, Leading yet not governing – This is called deep and mysterious De. ♦Carrying and managing a body{soul} while embracing the One, ♦Are you able to not separateA them ? ♦Concentrating your Qi to become soft, [attain,bring about] ♦Are you able to [be like] a newborn infant2 ? Cleansing and clearing your deep and mysterious perception, [remove,eliminate,wipe out] Are you able to be without blemish ? Loving the citizens and governing the nation, Are you able to [use] non-action ? Opening and closing the gateway of heaven, ♦Are you able to serve as the feminine ? ♦Attaining clear insight in all directions, [wise,sight] [four directions,all around] Are you able to not use your knowledge ? ♦Creating them and raising them, ♦Creating but not possessing, Acting but not concerned with [the results],B [depend upon,rely upon] ♦Leading yet not governing – ♦This is called deep and mysterious De. Notes A : that is,“keep from separating” B : this line is not in the earlier sources Cross-references embracing the One : #22