Chapter 26
Gravity and Stillness
重为轻根，静为躁君。
是以君子终日行不离辎重。
虽有荣观，燕处超然。
奈何万乘之主，而以身轻天下？轻则失根，躁则失君。
James Legge · 1891 · Public domain
1. Gravity is the root of lightness; stillness, the ruler of movement.
2. Therefore a wise prince, marching the whole day, does not go far from his baggage waggons. Although he may have brilliant prospects to look at, he quietly remains (in his proper place), indifferent to them. How should the lord of a myriad chariots carry himself lightly before the kingdom? If he do act lightly, he has lost his root (of gravity); if he proceed to active movement, he will lose his throne.