二十二章
「曲则全，枉则直，洼则盈，敝则新，少则得，多则惑。」
是以圣人抱一为天下式。
不自见，故明；不自是，故彰；不自伐，故有功；不自矜，故长。
夫唯不争，故天下莫能与之争。
古之所谓「曲则全」者，岂虚言哉！
诚全而归之。
To yield is to be preserved whole.
To be bent is to become straight.
To be hollow is to be filled.
To be tattered is to be renewed.
To be in want is to possess.
To have plenty is to be confused.
Therefore the Sage embraces the One,
And becomes the model of the world.
He does not reveal himself,
And is therefore luminous.
He does not justify himself,
And is therefore far-famed.
He does not boast of himself,
And therefore people give him credit.
He does not pride himself,
And is therefore the chief among men.
Is it not indeed true, as the ancients say,
‘To yield is to be preserved whole?’
Thus he is preserved and the world does him homage.
