Chapter LV
(Chapter 55)

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Ko Yuen Translation

The Spell of the Mystery
1. He that hath the Magick powers1 of the Tao is like a young child.  Insects will not sting him or beasts or birds of prey attack him.
2. The young child's bones are tender and its sinews are elastic, but its grasp is firm2.  It knoweth nothing of the Union of Man and Woman, yet its Organ may be excited.  This is because of its natural perfection.  It will cry all day long without becoming hoarse, because of the harmony of its being.
3. He who understandeth this harmony knoweth the mystery of the Tao, and becometh a True Sage.  All devices for inflaming life, and increasing the vital Breath3, by mental effort4 are evil and factitious.
4. Things become strong, then age.  This5 is in discord with the Tao, and what is not at one with the Tao soon cometh to an end.

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S. Mitchell Translation
He who is in harmony with the Tao
is like a newborn child.
Its bones are soft, its muscles are weak,
but its grip is powerful.
It doesn't know about the union
of male and female,
yet its penis can stand erect,
so intense is its vital power.
It can scream its head off all day,
yet it never becomes hoarse,
so complete is its harmony.

The Master's power is like this.
He lets all things come and go
effortlessly, without desire.
He never expects results;
thus he is never disappointed.
He is never disappointed;
thus his spirit never grows old.

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James Legge Translation
1. He who has in himself abundantly the attributes (of the Tao) is like an infant.  Poisonous insects will not sting him; fierce beasts will not seize him; birds of prey will not strike him.
2. (The infant's) bones are weak and its sinews soft, but yet its grasp is firm.  It knows not yet the union of male and female, and yet its virile member may be excited; showing the perfection of its physical essence.  All day long it will cry without its throat becoming hoarse; showing the harmony (in its constitution).
3. To him by whom this harmony is known,
(The secret of) the unchanging (Tao) is shown,
And in the knowledge wisdom finds its throne.
All life-increasing arts to evil turn;
Where the mind makes the vital breath to burn,
(False) is the strength, (and o'er it we should mourn.)
4. When things have become strong, they (then) become old, which may be said to be contrary to the Tao.  Whatever is contrary to the Tao soon ends.

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GNL not Lao Interpolation

Soft Bones
Who is filled with harmony is like a newborn.
Wasps and snakes will not bite him;
Hawks and tigers will not claw him.

His bones are soft yet his grasp is sure,
For his flesh is supple;
His mind is innocent yet his body is virile,
For his vigour is plentiful;
His song is long-lasting yet his voice is sweet,
For his grace is perfect.

But knowing harmony creates abstraction,
And following abstraction creates ritual.
Exceeding nature creates calamity,
And controlling nature creates violence.

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Ko Yuen Commentary
1. Teh.

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2. A baby can hang from a bough for quite an indefinitely long period.  This is because of monkey-atavism; in other words, it is the subconscious of the child that is at work.  This subconsciousness is of its true nature, therefore, in accord with the Tao.

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3. Prana.

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4. Hatha-Yoga, etc.

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5. Forcing-on of strength instead of allowing natural growth.

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