勢

To fight while fearing water is called being swallowed. To fight while fearing heights is called being lost in confusion. Action and stillness — compare to death. Action and movement — compare to what is ugly. Action and trust — compare to what resists. Action and yielding — compare to what retreats. Stillness and movement sometimes serve as host, sometimes as guest — the precious thing is to find the proper measure. He who understands stillness's cultivation dwells and profits of himself. He who understands movement's sequence acts and always succeeds. Therefore it is said: the one who acts without acting is emperor — this is what it means. Counter-seasonal sprouts appearing before heaven and earth have taken shape — if governance is applied prematurely, the affair will not succeed. Heaven follows man; the sage follows heaven. When heaven's timing does not act, do not be the guest; when human affairs do not arise, do not be the initiator. The way of achieving success: expansion and contraction are the treasures.