1. who thinks his great achievements poor
shall find his vigour long endure.
of greatest fulness, deemed a void,
exhaustion ne'er shall stem the tide.
do thou what's straight still crooked deem;
thy greatest art still stupid seem,
and eloquence a stammering scream.
2. constant action overcomes cold; being still overcomes heat. purity and stillness give the correct law to all under heaven.
大成若缺,其用不弊。
大盈若冲,其用不穷。
大直若屈,大巧若拙,大辩若讷。
躁胜寒,静胜热,清静为天下正。
【译文】
大道的完美好像有欠缺,但运营施展的作用不会衰败;大道的充实好像很空虚,但运营施展的作用无穷无尽;大道的直捷好像很曲折,大道的灵巧好像很笨拙,大道的善辩好像很不善言辞。运动可以消解行为体的寒凝僵结,守静又可以消去行为体因运动而产生的热浊。谐和稳态是天下动荡摇摆所围绕的中心。