29.

Trying to take the world in hand?

I see you can’t hold it long.

Everything under heaven is a sacred vessel

and cannot be controlled.

Trying to control leads to ruin.

Trying to grasp, we lose.

Some move forward, some follow.

Some sigh, some draw a deep breath.

Some grow stronger, some weaken.

Some destroy and some are destroyed.

The sage rejects extremes,

shuns extravagance,

avoids arrogant pride.