Chapter 16
Attain the ultimate emptiness;
hold firm to profound stillness.
As all things flourish,
I observe their cyclical return.
Though myriad things arise in complexity,
each returns to its root.
To return to the root is to find stillness
this is called "returning to destiny."
Returning to destiny is the eternal law;
to know this law is wisdom.
To ignore this law and act recklessly
invites disaster.
To know the eternal law is to embrace all;
to embrace all is to act with fairness;
to act with fairness is to achieve wholeness;
to achieve wholeness is to align with nature;
to align with nature is to unite with the Dao;
to unite with the Dao is to endure eternally
even beyond the end of life, there is no danger.
(This chapter emphasizes the importance of "emptiness and stillness": through a mind of clarity and tranquility, one observes the cyclical patterns of all things. Laozi teaches that despite the complexity of existence, everything ultimately returns to its source. Understanding this truth allows one to align with nature, avoid reckless actions, and attain unity with the Dao, achieving lasting peace.)
Key Concepts:
虚静 (xū jìng) – "emptiness and stillness" (a state of mental clarity and inner peace).
复命 (fù mìng) – "returning to destiny" (reconnecting with the root of life).
常 (cháng) – "eternal law" (the unchanging principle of the Dao).
明 (míng) – "wisdom" (understanding the eternal law).
Core Philosophy:
By cultivating emptiness and stillness, one perceives the cyclical nature of existence. Aligning with this natural order brings harmony, fairness, and enduring peace. The sage avoids reckless actions by embracing the Dao’s eternal law, transcending danger even in the face of life’s impermanence.
