If you contemplate these and do not let go of them,
Inside you will be distressed, outside you will be weak.
Do not neglect[S] to make plans for this,
Or life will leave its dwelling.
Do not eat as if you were starving,
Do not contemplate as if you were indifferent.
When you restrain these appropriately and simultaneously,
That [Dao][T] will naturally arrive.
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Always : at the birth of people -
Heaven produces their essence,
Earth produces their form;
These combine in order to make people.
When these are in harmony then there is life;
No harmony, no life.
Observe the Dao of harmony :
Its essence is not seen,
Its manifestations are not wicked.
When equability and proper alignment completely fill your breast,
And the principles of regulation are in your heart/mind,
This gives long life.
When love and anger lose their proper value,
Then use this plan of action :
Restrain your five desires[U],
Leave behind your two misfortunes -
Do not love, do not be angry.
Then equability and proper alignment will completely fill your breast.
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Always : at the birth of people -
They certainly have equability and proper alignment.
The reason that they lose it
Is certainly due to love, anger, worries, suffering.
Thus : there is nothing that stops anger like poetry,
There is nothing that removes worries like music,
There is nothing that restrains music like propriety,*
There is nothing that maintains propriety* like respect*.[V]
[But,] there is nothing that maintains respect* like stillness.
Inwardly still and outwardly respectful*,
You can return to your [original] nature,
And your nature will be exceptionally settled.