{
  "meta": {
    "schema_version": "1.1",
    "endpoint": "/api/sources/tao-te-ching/55-chapter-55.json"
  },
  "work": {
    "slug": "tao-te-ching",
    "name": "Tao Te Ching"
  },
  "parents": [],
  "chapter": {
    "num": 55,
    "slug": "55-chapter-55",
    "title": "Chapter 55 — The Infant Holding Virtue",
    "of": 81,
    "words": 168,
    "text": "## Chapter 55\n\n\nHe who has in himself abundantly the attributes (of the Tao) is\nlike an infant. Poisonous insects will not sting him; fierce beasts\nwill not seize him; birds of prey will not strike him.\n\n(The infant's) bones are weak and its sinews soft, but yet its\ngrasp is firm. It knows not yet the union of male and female, and yet\nits virile member may be excited;--showing the perfection of its\nphysical essence. All day long it will cry without its throat\nbecoming hoarse;--showing the harmony (in its constitution).\n\nTo him by whom this harmony is known,\n(The secret of) the unchanging (Tao) is shown,\nAnd in the knowledge wisdom finds its throne.\nAll life-increasing arts to evil turn;\nWhere the mind makes the vital breath to burn,\n(False) is the strength, (and o'er it we should mourn.)\n\nWhen things have become strong, they (then) become old, which may\nbe said to be contrary to the Tao. Whatever is contrary to the Tao\nsoon ends.",
    "project_translation": false,
    "license": null,
    "methodology_url": null
  }
}