4th Chapter

Tao manifests from nothingness, has its effect on us, never in excess.
Its mystery is profound.
Its manifestation is the beginning of everything.

If someone has characteristics that are too sharp, Tao will smooth his edges.
When someone causes strife, Tao will resolve the conflicts.
When a person shines too brightly (is overbearing toward others), Tao will restrain him. Tao harmonizes light and dark forces and creates unity,
so that nothing stands out.

This is Tao’s Nature.
Tao is hidden from man’s outer senses,
But when perceived through his rational power its existence becomes known.
We don’t know the origin of these attributes of Tao.
They seems to come from the Exalted One, the One that has no beginning.

Implications from the Holy Books

“In the beginning was God; there was no creature to know Him,”
“The Lord was alone; with no one to adore Him,”
“God was alone; there was none else besides Him. He will always remain what He hath ever been.”
Know assuredly that God’s creation hath existed from eternity, and will continue to exist forever. Its beginning hath had no beginning, and its end knoweth no end. His name, the Creator, presupposeth a creation, even as His title, the Lord of Men, must involve the existence of a servant. ── Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh 78

He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. ── Isaiah 40:29-31

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