he who is filled with virtue is like a newborn child.

wasps and serpents will not sting him;

wild beasts will not pounce upon him;

he will not be attacked by birds of prey.

his bones are soft, his muscles weak,

but his grip is firm.

he has not experienced the union of man and woman, but is whole.

his manhood is strong.

he screams all day without becoming hoarse.

this is perfect harmony.



knowing harmony is constancy.

knowing constancy is enlightenment.



it is not wise to rush about.

controlling the breath causes strain.

if too much energy is used, exhaustion follows.

this is not the way of tao.

whatever is contrary to tao will not last long.

-tao te ching, fifty five-