{
  "meta": {
    "schema_version": "1.1",
    "endpoint": "/api/sources/tao-te-ching/16-chapter-16.json"
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  "work": {
    "slug": "tao-te-ching",
    "name": "Tao Te Ching"
  },
  "parents": [],
  "chapter": {
    "num": 16,
    "slug": "16-chapter-16",
    "title": "Chapter 16 — Return to the Root",
    "of": 81,
    "words": 196,
    "text": "## Chapter 16\n\n\nThe (state of) vacancy should be brought to the utmost degree,\nand that of stillness guarded with unwearying vigour. All things\nalike go through their processes of activity, and (then) we see them\nreturn (to their original state). When things (in the vegetable\nworld) have displayed their luxuriant growth, we see each of them\nreturn to its root. This returning to their root is what we call the\nstate of stillness; and that stillness may be called a reporting that\nthey have fulfilled their appointed end.\n\nThe report of that fulfilment is the regular, unchanging rule. To\nknow that unchanging rule is to be intelligent; not to know it leads\nto wild movements and evil issues. The knowledge of that unchanging\nrule produces a (grand) capacity and forbearance, and that capacity\nand forbearance lead to a community (of feeling with all things).\nFrom this community of feeling comes a kingliness of character; and he\nwho is king-like goes on to be heaven-like. In that likeness to\nheaven he possesses the Tao. Possessed of the Tao, he endures long;\nand to the end of his bodily life, is exempt from all danger of decay.",
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    "license": null,
    "methodology_url": null
  }
}