Philosophy

道 德 經
Tao Teh Ching

Tao – Chapter 28

When you know the male yet hold on to the female,
You'll be the ravine of the country.
When you're the ravine of the country,
Your constant virtue will not leave.
And when your constant virtue doesn't leave,
You'll return to the state of the infant.

When you know the pure yet hold on to the soiled,
You'll be the valley of the country.
When you're the valley of the country,
Your constant virtue is complete.
And when your constant virtue is complete,
You'll return to the state of uncarved wood.

When you know the white yet hold on to the black,
You'll be the model for the country.
And when you're the model for the country,
Your constant virtue will not go astray.
And when your constant virtue does not go astray,
You'll return to the condition which has no limit.

When uncarved wood is cut up, it's turned into vessels;
When the Sage is used, he becomes the Head of Officials.
Truly, great carving is done without splitting up.