Chapter 28 - Is This Wisdom

Having strength,
Yet strength unseen - it looks like weakness,
But its nature is like a stream.
That stream keeps to the wisdom,
Holding us on a journey back to purity.

Having insight,
Yet insight unseen - it looks like darkness,
But its nature is to model nature.
That model cannot miss the wisdom,
Holding us towards the end of all endings.

Having honour,
Yet honour unseen - it looks like disgrace,
But its nature is akin to the vastness of the valley.
The valley can contain all the wisdom,
Holding us towards simplicity in being.

Though this simplicity can be split in its usage,
The Daoist knows,
Thus leads,
Ultimately true way cannot be separated.

知其雄，守其雌，为天下溪。为天下溪，常德不离，复归于婴儿。知其白，守其黑，为天下式，为天下式，常德不忒，复归于无极。知其荣，守其辱，为天下谷。为天下谷，常德乃足，复归于朴。朴散则为器，圣人用之，则为官长，故大制不割。