含「德」之厚，比於赤子。毒虫不螫，猛兽不据，攫鸟不搏。骨弱筋柔而握固。未知牝牡之合而朘作，精之至也。终日号而不嘎，和之至也。知和曰「常」，知常曰「明」。益生曰祥。心使气曰强。物壮则老，谓之不道，不道早已。

Te Ching Chapter Fifty-five

One who preserves Te (virtue) in fullness,

Is to be compared to an innocent infant.

Hence, no poisonous insects will sting him.

No wild beasts will attack him.

No birds of prey will pounce upon him.

In governing one’s life, learn from an infant as such:

Its bones are soft, its tendons are tender, yet its grip is firm.

No knowing the unity of male and female,

Yet the infant’s sexual organ is aroused.

This is because its life essence is pure and complete.

Crying all day, yet the infant’s voice does not turn hoarse.

Such is the perfect harmony.

To know harmony is called “Everlasting.”

To know everlasting is called “Enlightenment.”

To overprotect one’s life is called “Ill omen.”

To let one’s mind follow the emotional impulse is called “Compulsion.”

When things reach their prime they start to age and decline.

This is the life that is diminishing, which shall not reach the ultimate essence.