Chapter 28
Whoever knows his masculine strength, yet keeps to his feminine softness, becomes a valley to which all the world flows. Being such a valley, he holds onto constant virtue and returns to the state of an infant.
Whoever knows the bright, yet keeps to the dark, becomes a model for all the world. Being such a model, he holds onto constant virtue without fail, and returns to the boundless.
Whoever knows honor, yet keeps to disgrace, becomes a valley for all the world. Being such a valley, his constant virtue is complete, and he returns to the simplicity of uncarved wood.
- When the uncarved wood is cut up, it is made into vessels. When the sage is put to use, he becomes the chief of officials. Thus the greatest carving does no cutting.
