Chapter 16

1. The (state of) vacancy¹ should be brought to the utmost degree, and that of stillness guarded with unwearying vigour². All things alike go through their processes of activity, and (then) we see them return (to their original state). When things (in the vegetable world) have displayed their luxuriant growth, we see each of them return to its root. This returning to their root is what we call the state of stillness; and that stillness may be called a reporting that they have fulfilled their appointed end.

2. The report of that fulfilment is the regular, unchanging rule. To know that unchanging rule is to be intelligent; not to know it leads to wild movements and evil issues. The knowledge of that unchanging rule produces a (grand) capacity and forbearance, and that capacity and forbearance lead to a community (of feeling with all things). From this community of feeling comes a kingliness of character; and he who is king-like goes on to be heaven-like. In that likeness³ to heaven he possesses the Tao. Possessed⁴ of the Tao, he endures long; and to the end of his bodily life, is exempt⁵ from all danger of decay.

       致虚极，守静笃，万物并作，吾以观其复。
       夫物芸芸，各复归其根。
       归根曰静，是曰复命。
       复命曰常，知常曰明。
       不知常，妄作，凶。
       知常，容。
       容乃公，公乃王，王乃天，天乃道，道乃久，没身不殆。

【译文】
       尽可能地使自己显得虚若无有，尽可能地保持清静，在事物波起云涌似的事态演变中，我们可以因此而观察它们的循环反复。事事物物虽然纷纭繁杂，但它们都可以归结于它们的根本。归结到根本它们就显示出始终如一的清静，这就叫做恢复到“本来”。

       懂得恢复“本来”就叫做达成了生存的恒常，懂得达到生存的恒常就叫做有明于道。不懂得达成生存的恒常而胡作非为，就会充满凶险。懂得达成生存的恒常就能雍容裕如。能雍容裕如就能得到众人的拥戴，得到众人的拥戴就可以统摄全局，统摄全局就可以像天一样，像天一样就可以进而像道一样，可以永久存在，终身没有危险。

1 vacancy   

n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺

参考例句：

• Her going on maternity leave will create a temporary vacancy.她休产假时将会有一个临时空缺。
• The vacancy of her expression made me doubt if she was listening.她茫然的神情让我怀疑她是否在听。

2 vigour   

（=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力

参考例句：

• She is full of vigour and enthusiasm.她有热情，有朝气。
• At 40,he was in his prime and full of vigour.他40岁时正年富力强。

3 likeness   

n.相像，相似（之处）

参考例句：

• I think the painter has produced a very true likeness.我认为这位画家画得非常逼真。
• She treasured the painted likeness of her son.她珍藏她儿子的画像。

4 possessed   

adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的

参考例句：

• He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
• He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。

5 exempt   

adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者

参考例句：

• These goods are exempt from customs duties.这些货物免征关税。
• He is exempt from punishment about this thing.关于此事对他已免于处分。