{
  "meta": {
    "schema_version": "1.1",
    "endpoint": "/api/sources/tao-te-ching/52-chapter-52.json"
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  "work": {
    "slug": "tao-te-ching",
    "name": "Tao Te Ching"
  },
  "parents": [],
  "chapter": {
    "num": 52,
    "slug": "52-chapter-52",
    "title": "Chapter 52 — Returning to the Mother",
    "of": 81,
    "words": 170,
    "text": "## Chapter 52\n\n\n(The Tao) which originated all under the sky is to be\nconsidered as the mother of them all.\n\nWhen the mother is found, we know what her children should be.\nWhen one knows that he is his mother's child, and proceeds to guard\n(the qualities of) the mother that belong to him, to the end of his\nlife he will be free from all peril.\n\nLet him keep his mouth closed, and shut up the portals (of his\nnostrils), and all his life he will be exempt from laborious exertion.\nLet him keep his mouth open, and (spend his breath) in the promotion\nof his affairs, and all his life there will be no safety for him.\n\nThe perception of what is small is (the secret of clear-\nsightedness; the guarding of what is soft and tender is (the secret\nof) strength.\n\nWho uses well his light,\nReverting to its (source so) bright,\nWill from his body ward all blight,\nAnd hides the unchanging from men's sight.",
    "project_translation": false,
    "license": null,
    "methodology_url": null
  }
}