As it acts in the world, the Tao is like the bending of a bow. The top is bent downward; the bottom is bent up. It adjusts excess and deficiency so that there is perfect balance.
Can you comprehend everything in the four directions and still do nothing?
Follow diligently the Way in your own heart, but make no display of it to the world.
True words are not pleasing. Pleasing words are not true.
Because he (the Sage) opposes no one, no one in the world can oppose him.
The good man is the teacher of the bad, And the bad is the material from which the good may learn. He who does not value the teacher, Or greatly care for the material, Is greatly deluded although he may be learned. Such is the essential mystery.