曲则全,
|
Bend and become whole, |
枉则直,
|
Yield and become straight, |
洼则盈,
|
Empty and be filled, |
敝则新,
|
Be worn out and become new, |
少则多,
|
Have little and gain more, |
多则惑。
|
Have much and get confused. |
是以圣人抱一为天下式。
|
Thus the wise embrace the Dao as their guide. |
不自见,
|
Not showing themselves, |
故明;
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They shine brightly; |
不自是,
|
Not self-righteous, |
故彰;
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They are distinguished; |
不自伐,
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Not boasting, |
故有功;
|
They achieve success; |
不自矜,
|
Not proud, |
故长。
|
They endure. |
夫唯不争,
|
Because they do not compete, |
故天下莫能与之争。
|
No one in the world can compete with them. |
古之所谓曲则全者,
|
The ancients said, "Bend and become whole"; |
岂虚言哉!
|
Were these just empty words? |
诚全而归之。
|
Truly to be whole is to return to the Dao. |