li, n.All

Li (n.) first ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠meant the grain in jade and wood; it is the organic pattern things fall into when they move in accord with the Tao.

Li (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the Chinese principle of order, which first meant the markings in jade, the grain in wood, the fiber in muscle — order that cannot be stated as law.

Li (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠organic pattern — first the markings in jade, the grain in wood, the fiber in muscle; an order too vital to be put into words.

Li (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠organic order: the asymmetrical, unrepeating, unregimented order of moving water, trees, clouds, frost on the window and pebbles scattered on sand.