Introduction

One of the delightful paradoxes of life is that we have to put in a lot of effort to not have to work hard. There is considerable thoughtfulness involved with being simple. Likewise, sincerity is a profound practice that reveals many truths we’d prefer not to see. 

Embodying simple and sincere conduct engenders simplicity and sincerity in the rest of our world. These core qualities are essential to the injunction opening the last verse: 

Approach absolute voidness,
 preserve the profound center.

This verse discusses the maturation we undergo in meditative living as we attune to simple, sincere conduct. 

Translation

The ultimate Weavers of the Way?
  No one even knows they’re here. 

The next best are loved. 
The next, respected. 
Next are the feared. 
The least are the ridiculed. 

The slightest bit of hypocrisy 
  results in a total loss of trust. 

Pay attention! 
  Sparingly use every precious word. 

Successfully completing tasks
  follows patient dedication. 

The people around a Master Weaver will think:
“It worked out all on its own!” 

Commentary

The ultimate Weavers of the Way?
  No one even knows they’re here. 

Lao Zi is making a strong point here. Living according to the Way isn’t loud or flashy. It’s not something we tell people we do or something that makes us stand out in a crowd. It’s quite the opposite. The more effortlessly we flow with the Dao and lose ourselves in the grandeur of the great mystery of life, the less attention we call to ourselves. The above describes the oft-coined phrase wu-wei, effortless effort.