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This is called the secret virtue。
11
Thirty spokes join together in a wheel's hub；
It is the center hole that makes the wheel useful。
We shape clay to fashion jugs；
It is the hollowness within that makes a jug useful。
We cut doors and windows in a house wall；
It is these empty spaces that make the house useful。
Thus things are valuable because of what they have
And they are useful because of what they lack。
12
Too much color dazzles the eye。
Too much noise deafens the ear。
Too much flavor deadens the taste。
Excessive hunting disturbs the mind。
Excessive wealth disquiets the heart。
Therefore the sage trusts his instincts； not his eyes。
He heeds the former； ignores the latter。
13
Praise and condemnation both cause dismay。
Honor and great pain are bound up together。
Why do praise and condemnation both cause dismay？
Praise makes us low。
We're dismayed when we get it。
And we're dismayed when it's taken away。
That's why praise and condemnation both cause dismay。
Why are honor and great pain bound up together？
I'm bound to be in pain because I care about myself。
If I did not care about myself； what pain could I suffer？
If you respect the world as you respect yourself
You're ready to tend the world。
If you care about the world as you care about yourself
You're ready to rule the world。
14
Look！ It cannot be seen；
It's called the obscure。
Listen！ It cannot be heard；
It's called the soundless。
Feel it！ It cannot be grasped：
It's called the bodiless。
These three defy scrutiny。
Intermingled； they blend into one。
Above it is not bright。
Below it is not dark。
Continuous；
Unceasing；
Unnamable；
Reverting to nothingness。
It's an occurrence of no occurrence。
It is a form that takes no form。
Elusive like a shadow。
Intangible like haze。
Confront it！ It has no face。
Follow it！ It has no back。
If you grasp the ancient Tao
You can rule the realm of today。
If you know the ancient beginnings
You know the essence of Tao。
15
The ancient followers of Tao were shrewd and discerning。
Their knowledge was arcane； beyond comprehension。
There are no words that describe them well。
Cautious； as if fording a frozen river。
Watchful； as if dreading foes on all sides。
Courteous； like a guest。
Yielding； like ice on the thaw。
Simple； like uncut wood。
Wide open； like a valley。
Obscure； like murky water。
Who can keep murky water still and cause it to clear？
Who can make what's inert active and bring it to life？
Those who follow Tao have no wish to become full。
Thus they can wear out with no need to be renewed。
16
Empty yourself to the utmost。
Remain perfectly calm。
The myriad things arise together
I watch their return。
They flourish； then each goes back to its root。
To go back to the root is to find tranquility。
To find tranquility is to come back to life。
Coming back to life is what is constant。
To know what is constant is to be enlightened。
Not to know what is constant is to court disaster。
When you know what is constant you embrace everything。
When you embrace everything you are just。
When you are just you are kingly。
When you are kingly you follow nature。
Following nature you follow Tao。
Following Tao you last through all time。
Till the end of life； you will suffer no harm。
17
Of the best leaders people barely know they exist。
Next come the ones people love and praise。
Then the ones they fear。
Then the ones they disdain。
Those who don't trust receive no trust。
The best leader is sparing in his use of words。
When his task is accomplished； when his work done。
Everyone says： 〃We did it ourselves。〃
18
When Tao is forgotten
There is kindness and justice。
When cleverness and learning arise
There is great duplicity。
When conflict breaks out in the house
There are loving parents and children。
When the country falls into chaos
There are loyal ministers。
19
Give up being great； forget being clever
And people will benefit enormously。
Give up being kind； forget being just
And love will return to the family。
Give up being sly； forget being greedy
And there'll be no more thefts or robberies。
Yet as a lesson
These three are incomplete。
The essential part to be added is this：
Become plain and simple
Like uncut wood。
Restrain your ambitions；
Restrict your desires。
20
Give up studying and you will have no distress。
Is there a difference between 〃yes〃 and 〃no〃？
The good and the evil … are they alike？
Ought I to fear what others fear？
Confusion reigns； it is without end。
All around； people make merry
As if holding a festival in spring；
As if about to gorge at a feast。
I alone remain still and reveal nothing
Like an infant yet unable to smile。
I am forlorn； with no place to go。
Others possess enough to spare；
I alone seem to have nothing。
I seem like a fool； I'm utterly confused。
Other people are bright； so bright。
I alone am dark； so dark。
Other people are smart； so smart；
I alone am dull； so dull。
Ever drifting like the restless ocean；
Blown about like the ceaseless storm。
Other people pursue their goals；
I alone seem foolish and aimless。
Only I am a stranger； I'm unlike the others。
I take nourishment only from the mother。
21
It is the mark of great virtue to follow Tao alone。
What can one say of Tao？
It is elusive； it's like a shadow；
It is intangible； it is like haze。
Elusive like a shadow； yet it holds ideas within。
Intangible like haze； yet it holds entities within。
Mysterious and dim； yet it holds spirit within。
Throughout all time
Its name has been retained。
Thus we can view the origin of all things。
How do I know the origin of all things？
I do because of what's within me。
22
Be broken and you'll become whole。
Be fallen and you will stand tall。
Be empty and you will fill up。
Be worn and you'll become new。
Have little and you will gain。
Have much and you'll be confused。
Therefore the sage clings to the One
And serves as a guide for the world。
He does not flaunt himself； so he shines bright。
He does not insist on being right； so he is renowned。
He does not brag； so he succeeds。
He does not boast； so he lasts long。
He contends with no one；
So no one can contend with him。
The ancients used to say：
〃Be broken and you抣l become whole。〃
Are these but hollow words？
If you are truly whole everything will come to you。
23
Nature is sparing of words：
High winds do not last all morning。
A cloudburst does