Chapter XXVI
(Chapter 26)

Ko Yuen Translation

The Nature of Mass

Mass is the fulcrum of mobility; stillness is the father of motion.

Therefore the sage King, though he travel afar, remaineth near his supplies. Though opportunity tempt him, he remaineth quietly in proper disposition, indifferent. Should the master of an host of chariots bear himself frivolously? If he attack without support, he loseth his base; if he become a raider, he forfeiteth his throne.

S. Mitchell Translation

The heavy is the root of the light.
The unmoved is the source of all movement.

Thus the Master travels all day
without leaving home.
However splendid the views,
she stays serenely in herself.

Why should the lord of the country
flit about like a fool?
If you let yourself be blown to and fro,
you lose touch with your root.
If you let restlessness move you,
you lose touch with who you are.

James Legge Translation
1.	Gravity is the root of lightness; stillness, the ruler of movement.
2.	Therefore a wise prince, marching the whole day, does not go far from his baggage waggons. Although he may have brilliant prospects to look at, he quietly remains (in his proper place), indifferent to them. How should the lord of a myriad chariots carry himself lightly before the kingdom? If he do act lightly, he has lost his root (of gravity); if he proceed to active movement, he will lose his throne.

GNL not Lao Interpolation

Calm

Gravity is the source of lightness,
Calm, the master of haste.

A lone traveller will journey all day, watching over his belongings;
Only safe in his own bed may he lose them in sleep.

So the captain of a great vessel should not act lightly or hastily.
Acting lightly, he loses sight of the world,
Acting hastily, he loses control of himself.

The captain can not treat his great ship as a small boat;
Rather than glitter like jade
He must stand like stone.

Tao Teh King
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Ko Yuen Commentary

This is all obvious military metaphor. If we depart from the Tao, we become engaged in futile activities which lead nowhere, and we find ourselves in the Abyss of Choronzon.

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