What is bent then becomes straight. What is hollow then becomes filled. What is worn out then becomes new. Have little, then gain. Have too much, then become confused. Thus the sage : Embraces the One, thus serving as an example to the world – He does not display himself, therefore he has insight. Does not consider himself correct, therefore he distinguishes himself. Does not boast about himself, therefore he possesses merit. Does not brag about himself, therefore he endures. Now : only because he does not strive, Therefore no one in the world can strive against him. That which the ancients say : “He who is wrong then becomes whole and perfect” – How can these be empty words? Be truly whole and perfect, and return to it. Twenty seven A good traveler is without wagon track or footprint. A good speaker is without flaw or disgrace. A good accountant does not use counting tokens. A good barrier is without bar or lock, yet can not be opened. A good binding is without cord or restraint, yet can not be loosened. Thus the sage : Is always good at helping people, Therefore he does not abandon people. Is always good at helping creatures, Therefore he does not abandon creatures. This is called following your insight. Therefore : he who is a virtuous person is the teacher of he who is not a virtuous person. He who is not a virtuous person is the resource of he who is a virtuous person. If the latter does not value his teacher, Or the former does not love his resource, Even if there is wisdom, there will be great confusion. This is called the essential subtle mystery. Twenty nine Would you take hold of the world and control it? I see you have no choice. Now : the world is a divine vessel, You can not control it (indeed!). He who acts, ruins it; He who grasps, loses it. Therefore : creatures are Sometimes active, sometimes passive, Sometimes breathe heavy, sometimes breathe easy, Sometimes strong, sometimes weak, Sometimes oppressed, sometimes overthrown. Thus the sage : Removes the extremes, Removes the extravagant and wasteful, Removes the arrogance. Thirty eight A man of highest De does not use his De, thus he possesses De. A man of inferior De does not lose his De, thus he is without De. A man of highest De uses non-action, and acts without motive. A man of inferior De coerces others, and has a motive to act. A man of highest kindness coerces others, and acts without motive. A man of highest morality coerces others, and has a motive to act. A man of highest propriety coerces others, and if there is no one who responds, Then he rolls up his sleeves and keeps doing it.