21.
In his every movement a man of virtue
follows the way and the way only.
As a thing the way is
shadowy, indistinct.
Indistinct and shadowy,
Yet within it is an image;
shadowy and indistinct,
Yet within it is a substance.
dim and dark,
Yet within it is an essence.
This essence is quite genuine
and within it is something that can be tested
from the present back to antiquity
It's name never deserted it.
Through it we conform to the father of the masses.
How can I know what the father of the masses is like?
Through this.
22.
Yield and overcome;
Bend and be straightened;
Empty and be filled
Wear out and be renewed;
Have little and gain;
Have much and be confused.
Therefore the sage embraces the one
and sets an example for all
Not displaying himself,
people see his light.
Not justifying himself,
he is distinguished.
Does not brag,
and so has merit
Does not boast,
and so endures.
Because he does not contend,
no one can contend with him.
The way the ancients had it, ‘Yield and overcome’, is no empty saying. Truly it enables one to be preserved to the end.
23.
To use words but sparingly
is to be natural.
The whirlwind will not last the morning out;
The cloudburst ends before the day is done.
What is it that behaves like this?
The earth and sky! And if it be that these
cut their speech, how much more yet should man!
Whoever follows the way of life feels alive,
Whoever uses it properly feels well used,
Whereas he who loses the way of life feels lost,
Whoever keeps to the way of life
feels at home.
Whoever uses it properly,
feels welcome,
Whereas he who uses it improperly
feels improperly used:
Who does not trust enough
Will not be trusted.
24.
Standing on tiptoe a man loses his balance,
He who rushes ahead doesn't go far,
He who shows off
gets no attention
He who defines himself
can't know who he really is
He who admires himself
does so alone
He who is proud of his work
achieves nothing that endures
To persons of the Way, these traits
can only bring distrust;
These are as excess food at a feast
Therefore,
one who aspires to the Way,
does not abide in them.
