There is a thing that is mixed and formed, existing before heaven and earth were born. This refers to the Dao being formless, yet in a state of confusion it forms all things, and existed before heaven and earth. Silent and desolate, standing alone without change; "Silent" means without sound or voice. "Liao" means empty and formless. "To stand alone" means without a match or pair. "Not changing" means transformation follows constancy. " It circulates endlessly without failure; "Dao pervades heaven and earth, entering everywhere. It does not burn in the sun, nor rot in shade, penetrating all things without danger or fatigue. " It can be considered as the mother of the world. "Dao nourishes the vital essence of all things, like a mother nurturing her child. " I do not know its name, so I call it Dao; "I have not seen the form or appearance of Dao and do not know what to name it. Seeing that all things originate from Dao, therefore I give it the title Dao. " I forcefully give it a name: Great. "Not knowing its name, I forcibly call it 'Great' because it is high and without a superior, encompassing all things with nothing outside of it, and embracing everything; therefore, it is called Great. " Great means departure; "Its greatness is not like heaven, which always remains above, nor like earth, which always stays below. Rather, it departs and has no fixed place. " Departure means distance; "Saying 'distance' means reaching the infinite, spreading qi throughout heaven and earth, connecting with nothing it does not reach. " Distance means return. "Saying 'return' means that its distance does not transcend completely, but rather returns to the human body.

" Therefore Dao is great, Heaven is great, Earth is great, and the king is also great. "Dao being great means it encompasses heaven and earth, containing nothing outside of itself. " "Heaven being great means there is nothing it does not cover. " "Earth being great means there is nothing that it does not bear. " "The king being great means there is nothing he cannot control. " There are four greats in the realm; "The Four Greats refer to Dao, Heaven, Earth, and the King. Anything that can be named or given a title is not its ultimate essence. To speak of Dao implies there is a source, and only after having a source can it be called Dao. However, this means that Dao is the greatest among titles; yet it is not as great as being without any title at all. That which has no name cannot be given a name—it is called the realm. "Heaven, Earth, and the king are all within this unnamed state; therefore it is said that there are Four Greats in the realm. " And the king occupies one of them. "Within the Eight Extremities there are Four Greats, and the king holds one among them. " People follow the Earth; "People should emulate the Earth's tranquility, quietness, and gentleness. Sowing yields five grains, digging yields sweet springs, toiling without complaint, achieving success without claiming it. " Earth follows Heaven; "Heaven is tranquil and unmoving, giving without seeking reward, generating all things without taking anything in return. " Heaven follows Dao; "Dao is clear and quiet, not speaking, yet subtly acting with vital essence to allow all things to complete themselves naturally. " Dao follows nature. "The nature of Dao is natural; it does not follow anything.