Mistakes are inherent in relying on one’s own opinions. Crimes are inherent in forcing change. For this reason, the prince who adheres to the Way, when at rest, appears to lack knowledge; when responding to things, appears to be at one with them. This is the way of quiescence and relying on things as they are.

“Mistakes are inherent in relying on one’s own opinions. Crimes are inherent in forcing change.” If you rely on your own opinions, you are not vacuous. 1f you are not vacuous, you will identify with things. 1f you farce change, it will give rise to artificiality. 1f artificiality arises, there will be confusion. Therefore the Way values relying on things as they are. “Relying on things as they are” means relying on things’ capabilities when stating how they are to be used. “The prince, who adheres to the Way, while at rest, appears to lack knowledge” means that he has attained perfect vacuity. “When responding to things, he appears to be at one with them” means that he fits himself to each occasion like a shadow resembling a form or an echo responding to a voice. Therefore when things arrive he responds to them. When they have passed by, he lets them go. “Letting go” means that he has returned to a state of vacuity.