Empty yourself completely.
Hold to quiet stillness.

All things rise and fall,
then return to their source.

Returning to the root
is stillness.
Stillness is returning
to what is real.

This return is the natural rhythm of life.
To understand this is wisdom.
Not understanding it
leads to chaos and confusion.

Knowing this rhythm
brings deep patience.
Patience leads to harmony with all things.
Harmony gives rise to true character.
True character becomes like the sky.
Being like the sky,
you are in touch with the Tao.
In the Tao, you endure.
You are whole until the end.