Placidity, indifference, silence,

Quietude, absolute vacancy

And inaction into the bargain:

These are the features which

Maintain the scale of the faraway

And are the substance of the Road

And its numerous Milestones

As the Dao-De's reference frame

With all its Heaven-shattering

And Earth-embracing traits.

In accordance with this it is said,

'The sage is he who is entirely restful,

And so his mind is evenly balanced

And constantly at ease. . .'

This even balance and ease appear

In his placidity and indifference.

In this state of even balance

Anxieties and evils do not find

Any hole to access to him,

No depraving influence

Can take him by surprise;

His virtue is complete,

And his spirit continues unhurt.