Verse 40: Use it
Returning.
Dao’s movement.
Softening.
Dao’s function.
Verse 39: Source Principle
Not wanting to appear as a precious gem,
pretending to be coarse like a mountain boulder.
Because accumulating honors is dishonorable.
It isn’t really a “basis of lowliness,” is it?
Verse 38: Discussing Integrity
Superior integrity is not virtuous,
this is how it has integrity.
Inferior integrity does not lose virtue,
this is how it lacks integrity.
Verse 37: For Regulation
The Dao endures without becoming.
The Leader can preserve it
and All That Is self-evolves.
Verse 36: Veiled Wisdom
Spread things out first
to facilitate bringing them together.
Strengthening
enables softening.
Verse 35: True Taste
Established in the Great Appearance,
Creation departs.
Departs and does not harm:
extreme peace and calm.
Verse 34: True Compassion
The Great Dao is boundless
It can be either left or right.
Completion follows events,
it cannot be claimed as a possession.
Verse 33: Discussing Integrity
One who knows others is resourceful,
One who knows themself is brilliant.
One who conquers others has power,
One who conquers themself is powerful.
Verse 32: Perfected Integrity
The Dao constantly undoes names.
It is raw but refined.
Heaven and Earth dare not
consider themselves greater.
If Leaders preserve the Dao,
all things will host themselves.
Verse 31: Stop Forcing
Excellent force
is a tool of ill omen.
Phenomenon dislikes it,
therfore desire does not claim it.