Chapter LVI
(Chapter 56)

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Ko Yuen Translation

The Excellence of the Mystery
1. Who knoweth the Tao keepeth Silence; he who babbleth knoweth it not.
2. Who knoweth it closeth his mouth and controlleth the Gates of his Breath.  He will make his sharpness blunt; he will loosen his complexes; he will tone down his brightness to the general obscurity.  This is called the Secret of Harmony.
3. He cannot be insulted either by familiarity or aversion; he is immune to ideas of gain or loss, of honour or disgrace; he is the true man, unequalled under Heaven.

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S. Mitchell Translation
Those who know don't talk.
Those who talk don't know.

Close your mouth,
block off your senses,
blunt your sharpness,
untie your knots,
soften your glare,
settle your dust.
This is the primal identity.

Be like the Tao.
It can't be approached or withdrawn from,
benefited or harmed,
honored or brought into disgrace.
It gives itself up continually.
That is why it endures.

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James Legge Translation
1. He who knows (the Tao) does not (care to) speak (about it); he who is (ever ready to) speak about it does not know it.
2. He (who knows it) will keep his mouth shut and close the portals (of his nostrils).  He will blunt his sharp points and unravel the complications of things; he will attemper his brightness, and bring himself into agreement with the obscurity (of others).  This is called 'the Mysterious Agreement.'
3. (Such an one) cannot be treated familiarly or distantly; he is beyond all consideration of profit or injury; of nobility or meanness:  he is the noblest man under heaven.

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GNL not Lao Interpolation

Impartiality
Who understands does not preach;
Who preaches does not understand

Reserve your judgments and words;
Smooth differences and forgive disagreements;
Dull your wit and simplify your purpose;
Accept the world.

Then,
Friendship and enmity,
Profit and loss,
Honour and disgrace,
Will not affect you;
The world will accept you.

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