Tao Te Ching · Chapter 45 of 81

Chapter 45

translated by James Legge, 1891

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.

  1. Constant action overcomes cold; being still overcomes heat. Purity and stillness give the correct law to all under heaven.