English
22
"Bent over, you'll be preserved whole; When twisted, you'll be upright; When hollowed out, you'll be full; When worn out, you'll be renewed; When you have little, you'll attain [much]; With much, you'll be confused. Therefore the Sage holds on to the One and in this way becomes the shepherd of the world. He does not show himself off; therefore he becomes prominent. He does not put himself on display; therefore he brightly shines. He does not brag about himself; therefore he receives credit. He does not praise his own deeds; therefore he can long endure. It is only because he does not compete that, therefore, no one is able to compete with him. The so-called "Bent over you'll be preserved whole" of the ancients Was an expression that was really close to it! Truly "wholeness" will belong to him."
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Author
Lao TzuBook
Tao Te Ching
Version: 8