Chapter XXXII
(Chapter 32)

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Ko Yuen Translation

The Wisdom of the Teh
1. The All-Tao1 hath no name.
2. It is That Minute Point2 yet the whole world dare not contend against him that hath it.  Did a lord or king gain it and guard it, all men would obey him of their own accord.
3. Heaven and Earth combining under its spell, shed forth dew3, extending throughout all things of its own accord, without man's interference.
4. Tao, in its phase of action, hath a name.  Then men can comprehend it; when they do this, there is no more risk of wrong or ill-success.
5. As the great rivers and the oceans are to the valley streams, so is the Tao to the whole universe.

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S. Mitchell Translation
The Tao can't be perceived.
Smaller than an electron,
it contains uncountable galaxies.

If powerful men and women
could remain centered in the Tao,
all things would be in harmony.
The world would become a paradise.
All people would be at peace,
and the law would be written in their hearts.

When you have names and forms,
know that they are provisional.
When you have institutions,
know where their functions should end.
Knowing when to stop,
you can avoid any danger.

All things end in the Tao
as rivers flow into the sea.

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James Legge Translation
1. The Tao, considered as unchanging, has no name.
2. Though in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the whole world dares not deal with (one embodying) it as a minister.  If a feudal prince or the king could guard and hold it, all would spontaneously submit themselves to him.
3. Heaven and Earth (under its guidance) unite together and send down the sweet dew, which, without the directions of men, reaches equally everywhere as of its own accord.
4. As soon as it proceeds to action, it has a name.  When it once has that name, (men) can know to rest in it.  When they know to rest in it, they can be free from all risk of failure and error.
5. The relation of the Tao to all the world is like that of the great rivers and seas to the streams from the valleys.

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GNL not Lao Interpolation

Shapes
The Way has no true shape,
And therefore none can control it.
If a ruler could control the Way
All things would follow
In harmony with his desire,
And sweet rain would fall,
Effortlessly slaking every thirst.

The Way is shaped by use,
But then the shape is lost.
Do not hold fast to shapes
But let sensation flow into the world
As a river courses down to the sea.

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Ko Yuen Commentary
1. comprehending Change within itself.

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2. Hadit.

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3. This "dew" refers to the Elixir of the Fraternity R.C. and of the O.T.O.  It has been described, with proper caution, in various passages of "The Equinox" and of "The Book of Lies."

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