Chapter XXIX
(Chapter 29)

Ko Yuen Translation

Refraining from Action

He that, desiring a kingdom, exerteth himself to obtain it, will fail. A Kingdom is of the nature of spirit, and yieldeth not to activity. He who graspeth it, destroyeth it; he who gaineth it, loseth it¹.

The wheel of nature revolveth constantly; the last becometh first, and the first last; hot things grow cold, and cold things hot; weakness overcometh strength; things gained are lost anon. Hence the wise man avoideth effort, desire and sloth².

S. Mitchell Translation

Do you want to improve the world?
I don't think it can be done.

The world is sacred.
It can't be improved.
If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it.
If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it.

There is a time for being ahead,
a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion,
a time for being at rest;
a time for being vigorous,
a time for being exhausted;
a time for being safe,
a time for being in danger.

The Master sees things as they are,
without trying to control them.
She lets them go their own way,
and resides at the center of the circle.

James Legge Translation
1.	If any one should wish to get the kingdom for himself, and to effect this by what he does, I see that he will not succeed. The kingdom is a spirit-like thing, and cannot be got by active doing. He who would so win it destroys it; he who would hold it in his grasp loses it.
2.	The course and nature of things is such that What was in front is now behind; What warmed anon we freezing find. Strength is of weakness oft the spoil; The store in ruins mocks our toil. Hence the sage puts away excessive effort, extravagance, and easy indulgence.

GNL not Lao Interpolation

Ambition

Those who wish to change the world
According with their desire
Cannot succeed.

The world is shaped by the Way;
It cannot be shaped by the self.
Trying to change it, you damage it;
Trying to possess it, you lose it.

So some will lead, while others follow.
Some will be warm, others cold
Some will be strong, others weak.
Some will get where they are going
While others fall by the side of the road.

So the sage will be neither extravagant nor violent.

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Ko Yuen Commentary

The usurper merely seizes the throne; the people are not with him, as with one who becomes king by virtue of natural fitness. The usurper has but the mask of power.

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Effort is the Rajo-Guna, and makes one go faster than is natural. Sloth is the Tamo-Guna, and makes one go slower than is natural. Desire is the disturbance of the Satwa-Guna, exciting the lust of Change, in one direction or the other, from the natural. Things gained: see Liber AL cap II vv.

W.E.Heidrick Note: not in TS, but sometimes added: 57-60.

Nexist Note: For clarities sake, I feel I should put these two together. Crowley left out the actual verses (probably intending to look them up and add them later). Mr. Heidrick feels that the apropriate verses would be found in Liber AL, Chapter II, Verses 57-60.