Verse 10 of the Tao Te Ching
Hold fast to the Power of the One
It will unify the body and merge it with the spirit
It will cleanse the vision and reveal the world as flawless
It will focus the life-force and make one supple as a newborn
As you love the people and rule the state, can you be free of self-interest?
As the gates of Heaven open and close, can you remain steadfast as the mother bird who sits with her nest?
As your wisdom reaches the four corners of the world, can you keep the innocence of a beginner?
Know this Primal Power that guides without forcing that serves without seeking
that brings forth and sustains life yet does not own or possess it
One who holds this Power brings Tao to this very Earth
He can triumph over a raging fire or the freeze of winter weather
Yet when he comes to rule the world, it’s with the gentleness of a feather
- Translation by Jonathan Star
[What do you think about this translation, @SaintSovereign ? I suspect you’ve looked at a lot of different ones.]