Verse 47

Without going outside you can know the ways of the world.
Without looking through the window you can see the way of heaven.

The farther you go the less you know.
Therefore, the True Person
arrives without travelling,
perceives without looking,
and acts without striving.

Verse 48

In the pursuit of learning, every day something is added.
In the pursuit of the Tao, every day something is dropped.

Less and less is done until you come to action without striving.
When you follow this practice, nothing remains undone.

All under heaven is won by letting things take their course.
Nothing can be gained by interfering.

Verse 49

The True Person does not have an individual heart
but uses the heart of the people.

I am kind to those who are kind.
I am also kind to those who are not kind.
Thus, there is an increase in kindness.

I keep faith with those who are in good faith.
I also keep faith with those who lack good faith.
Thus, there is an increase of good faith.

The True Person is detached and humble
and to the world appears confusing.

The people all strain their eyes and ears,
yet the True Person remains childlike.

Verse 50

When going off one way means living
and going off the other way means dying,
three in ten are companions of Life,
three in ten are companions of Death, and
three in ten value Life but drift toward Death.

Why is all this so?
Because, these people are too greedy about living.

It is said:
People who are skilful in caring
for the life that has been given to them
travel abroad without fear of wild ox or tiger,
and enter a battle without concern for sharp weapons.

There is no place for the wild ox to thrust its horns,
there is no place for the tiger to put its claws,
there is no place for a weapon to lodge.

How is this so?
Because, there is no place for Death to enter in!