The Great De is totally in tune with Dao. It's everywhere yet nowhere, is everything and nothing, has form and is formless and most crucially, carries the truth.

Roaming free and aloof, unmoved by people around him enjoying themselves and feasting, Laozi sees richness in wanting nothing. He is nourished by the Dao.

Seek simplicity. People will find their own way. Don't be high and mighty. If you have nothing to steal, then you cannot be robbed.

Laozi argues that if you turn your back on the Dao, then all these human constructs will come flooding back in.

Spare your words – act only when truly necessary. Like water, let the course of events find its own way.

Relax – ignore the outside world, the human world of trouble and strife. Bring your attention down to the very basic – Dao. Do that, and you will be free from problems.

Exploring the profound teachings of one of China’s most important philosophers.

Look beyond the now – grasp the concept of Dao. See that it has always been and always will be. In fact Dao does not recognise time. Past, present, future is all one.

In this verse, Laozi is suggesting that anything you do – do it for yourself, for your own reasons... don't second guess what other people want.

That way leads to disaster.

In this verse Laozi is warning us not to be distracted by the physical... it's so easy to wallow in earthly pleasures, but at the end of the day, it won't make you happy. True happiness comes from within.