Classical Text 古典文獻 · Dao De Jing 道德經
Chapter 29 — Allowing Natural Order
無為
Part I — The Dao 上篇·道經
Original Verse
原文
將欲取天下而為之，吾見其不得已。
天下神器，不可為也，不可執也。
為者敗之，執者失之。
故物或行或隨，或呴或吹，或強或羸，或挫或隳。
是以聖人去甚，去奢，去泰。
English Translation
英譯
Do you think you can take over the world and improve it?
I do not think it can be done.
The world is a sacred vessel (Shenqi).
It should not be tampered with.
Those who try to change it, ruin it.
Those who try to hold it, lose it.
For things sometimes lead and sometimes follow;
Sometimes they breathe gently and sometimes hard;
Sometimes they are strong and sometimes weak;
Sometimes they rise and sometimes they fall.
Therefore the Sage avoids extremes, avoids excess, and avoids arrogance.
Liuren Fajiao Commentary
六壬法教注疏
In Liuren Fajiao, "The Sacred Vessel" (神器) refers to both the world and the human body. Magic is a powerful tool, but it should not be used to "tamper" (為) with the natural order out of ego or desire. If a practitioner tries to force their will upon reality, they will eventually "ruin it" (敗之).
"Avoiding extremes" (去甚、去奢、去泰) is a critical rule for safe magical practice. We avoid the "excess" of using too much power or the "arrogance" of thinking we are the masters of destiny. Our role is to Restore Balance, not to impose our own small desires.
By understanding that things naturally rise and fall (Yang and Yin cycles), the practitioner knows when to act and when to wait. They follow the Ziran (Naturalness) of the situation, ensuring their magic is sustainable and safe.
Source: Dao De Jing (道德經), Chapter 29