The Short of It:
Active stillness rules over still activity.
26. The Virtue of Weight.
The heavy is the root of the light. The still is the ruler of the moving. Therefore the superior [person], in [their] daily course, never departs from quietude and gravity. Though [they] possess gorgeous palaces, [they dwell] calmly at a distance from them.
Woe is me! that a ruler with ten thousand chariots should conduct [themselves] with levity in the empire! By levity [they lose their] ministers, and by restlessness [they lose their] throne.
26. ‘The Quality of Gravity.’
26.1 Gravity is the root of lightness; stillness, the ruler of movement.
26.2 Therefore a wise [young sovereign], marching the whole day, does not go far from [their] baggage waggons. Although [they] may have brilliant prospects to look at, [they] quietly [remain] (in [their] proper place), indifferent to them. How should the [ruler] of a myriad chariots carry [themselves] lightly before the kingdom? If [they] do act lightly, [they have] lost [their] root (of gravity); if [they] proceed to active movement, [they] will lose [their] throne.
26. (Untitled).
The heavy is the foundation of the light; repose* is the ruler of unrest. The wise [heir] in [their] daily course never departs from gravity and repose. Though [they] possess a gorgeous palace, [they] will dwell therein with calm indifference. How should the [ruler] of a myriad chariots conduct [themselves] with levity in the Empire? Levity loses [people]’s hearts; unrest loses the throne.
*Rest.
Lao Tzu. Lionel Giles. The Sayings of Lao Tzŭ. United Kingdom: Orient Press, 1904.
the long of it:
Action through non-action is a running theme in the Tao Te Ching (see Chap 10). Here Lao Tsu uses gravity as a metaphor to highlight the paradox inherent in ruling. Levity in ruling is equivalent to lightness, and risks being blown away. Always remember the serious nature of governing, especially when things are easy.
-TB
