Daodejing Chapter 21: The greatest power

The greatest power comes
Only from following the Dao.
The substance of the Dao is
Shadowy and indistinct.
Indistinct and shadowy.
Within it is an image,
Shadowy and indistinct.
Within it is a substance,
Dim and dark.
Within it is an essence.
This essence is real,
True and unwavering.
From ancient times until now,
Its name has never disappeared.
The origin of all things.
How do I know the origin of all things?
Through this,
Through the Dao.

「孔德之容，唯道是從。道之為物，唯恍唯惚，惚兮恍兮，其中有象；恍兮惚兮，其中有物。窈兮冥兮，其中有精，其精甚真，其中有信。自古及今，其名不去，以閱眾甫。吾何以知眾甫之狀哉？以此！」

Laozi does not explain what he means by power (德/dé) in this chapter, but he does make it clear that it can only be achieved by dedicating yourself to the Dao and only to the Dao. Just to make sure you understand what this involves, he then goes on to describe the characteristics of the Dao in much the same vein as in Chapter 1: namely, that although it is the mystery of mysteries, the Dao is real and has existed since the beginning of time.

Perhaps he is also making the point that power is just as indefinable yet real as the way itself. This is a question that will be explored in later chapters of the text.

Notes
The character (德/dé) is often translated as “virtue” in English, but could also be rendered as charisma or magnetism.

I took this image at Longhu (Dragon Tiger) Mountain, a famous Daoist site about ten miles south of Yingtan in Jiangxi Province. A great place to visit!