Tao Teh Ching - 60 Interactive Versions

#Click on a sentence 1 2 3 4 Chapter 27 Chapter 29 Back to index #

Ch. 28	Sentence 1
Beck	Know the male and keep to the female. Become the valley of the world. Being the valley of the world is eternal power and returning to the innocence of a baby.
Blackney	Be aware of your masculine nature; But by keeping the feminine way, You shall be to the world like a canyon, Where the Virtue eternal abides, And go back to become as a child.
Bynner	'One who has a man's wings And a woman's also Is in himself a womb of the world' And, being a womb of the world, Continuously, endlessly, Gives birth;
Byrn	Know the masculine, but keep to the feminine: and become a watershed to the world. If you embrace the world, the Tao will never leave you and you become as a little child.
Chan	He who knows the male and keeps to the female Becomes the ravine of the world. Being the ravine of the world, He will never depart from eternal virtue, But returns to a state of infancy.
Cleary	Know the male, keep to the female; be humble toward the world. Be humble toward the world, and eternal power never leaves, returning again to innocence.
Crowley	Balance your male strength with your female weakness and you shall attract all things, as the ocean absorbs all rivers; for you shall formulate the excellence of the Child eternal, simple and perfect.
Hansen	To know its 'male' and preserve its 'female' is to act as the world's ravine. To act as the world' ravine, treat virtuosity as constant, and avoid separating is to return to infancy.
LaFargue	Be familiar with Masculinity but watch over Femininity - and become the Valley of the World. Being the Valley of the World, invariant Te will not leave you. Turn back to being an infant.
Legge	Who knows his manhood's strength, Yet still his female feebleness maintains; As to one channel flow the many drains, All come to him, yea, all beneath the sky. Thus he the constant excellence retains; The simple child again, free from all stains.
Lindauer	Know what is male Keep to what is female Act as the ravine of the world. Acting as the ravine of the world The ideal entirely lacks separation Return, merge with, relate to a newborn child.
LinYutan	He who is aware of the Male But keeps to the Female Becomes the ravine of the world. Being the ravine of the world, He has the original character (teh) which is not cut up. And returns again to the (innocence of the) babe.
Mabry	Know the active, the masculine Yet keep to the passive, the feminine And you will cradle the World. If you lovingly hold the World You will know eternal goodness And will become again as a little child.
McDonald	"He who knows the male (active force), yet keeps to the female (the passive force or receptive element), becomes like a ravine, receiving all sort of things. Being the all-encompassing ravine he knows a power that he never calls upon in vain. This is returning to the state of infancy.
Merel	Using the male, being female, Being the entrance of the world, You embrace harmony And become as a newborn.
Mitchell	Know the male, yet keep to the female: receive the world in your arms. If you receive the world, the Tao will never leave you and you will be like a little child.
Muller	Know the Masculine, cleave to the Feminine Be the valley for everyone. Being the valley for everyone You are always in virtue without lapse And you return to infancy.
Red Pine	Recognize the male but hold onto the female and be the world's maid being the world's maid don't lose your ancient virtue not losing your ancient virtue be a newborn child again
Ta-Kao	He who knows the masculine and yet keeps to the feminine Will become a channel drawing all the world towards it; Being a channel of the world, he will not be severed from the eternal virtue, And then he can return again to the state of infancy.
Walker	To know the masculine and yet cleave to the feminine is to be the womb for the world. Being the womb for the world, never departing from the eternal power of Tao, you become as an infant once again: immortal.
Wieger	Being aware of one's virile strength (knowing that one is a cock), and yet holding oneself willingly in the inferior state of the female (of the hen); keeping oneself willingly in the lowest place in the empire ... To demean oneself thus shows that one has retained the primordial virtue, (absolute disinterestedness, participation in the Principle).
World	Integrate the male and the female and travel the peaceful path of oneness. Be at one with Infinity. Being at one with Infinity, do not become confused in distinctions of male and female. Experience the onenessas an undistinguishing child
Wu	Know the masculine, Keep to the feminine, And be the Brook of the World. To be the Brook of the World is To move constantly in the path of Virtue Without swerving from it, and to return again to infancy.

Ch. 28 Sentence 2

Beck Know the bright and keep to the obscure. Become an example for the world. Being an example for the world is eternal power and returning to the infinite.

Blackney Be aware of the white all around you; But rememb'ring the black that is there, You shall be to the world like a tester, Whom the Virtue eternal, unerring, Redirects to the infinite past.

Bynner One who, preferring light, Prefers darkness also Is in himself an image of the world And, being an image of the world, Is continuously, endlessly The dwelling of creation;

Byrn Know the white, yet keep to the black: be a model for the world. If you are a model for the world, the Tao inside you will strengthen and you will return whole to your eternal beginning.

Chan He who knows the white and yet keeps to the black Becomes the model for the world. Being the model for the world, He will never deviate from eternal virtue, But returns to the state of the non-ultimate.

Cleary Knowing the white, keep the black; be an exemplar for the world. Be an exemplar for the world, and eternal power never goes awry, returning again to infinity.

Crowley Knowing the light, remain in the Dark. Manifest not your Glory, but your obscurity. Clothed in this Child-excellence eternal, you have attained the Return of the First State.

Hansen To know its 'white' and preserve its 'black' is to act as the world's paradigm. To act as the world's paradigm, treat virtuosity as constant and avoid lapses is to return to the negative ultimate.

LaFargue Be familiar with what is pure and white but watch over what is dark and black - and become the Pattern for the World. Being the Pattern for the World, your invariant Te Will be constant. Turn back to being limitless.

Legge Who knows how white attracts, Yet always keeps himself within black's shade, The pattern of humility displayed, Displayed in view of all beneath the sky; He in the unchanging excellence arrayed, Endless return to man's first state has made.

Lindauer Know what is white Keep to what is black Act as the model of the world. Acting as the model of the world The ideal entirely lacks error Return, merge with, relate to an absence of reaching limits.

LinYutan He who is conscious of the white (bright) But keeps to the black (dark) Becomes the model for the world. Being the model for the world, He has the eternal power which never errs, And returns again to the Primordial Nothingness.

Mabry Be aware of the obvious - the light But keep to the mysterious - the dark And set an example for the world. Be an example for the world And do not stray from your calling And you will return to the Eternal.

McDonald He who knows the white, yet keeps and cleaves to the black becomes the standard by which all things are tested, he becomes the model for the world. As such he has all the time the eternal power that never errs; and he returns to the limitless, a primordial nothingness.

Merel Using strength, being weak, Being the root of the world, You complete harmony And become as unshaped wood.

Mitchell Know the white, yet keep to the black: be a pattern for the world. If you are a pattern for the world, the Tao will be strong inside you and there will be nothing you can't do.

Muller Know the White, cleave to the Black Be a model for everyone. Being the model for everyone You are always in virtue and free from error You return to limitlessness.

Red Pine recognize the pure but hold onto the defiled and be the world's valley being the world's valley be filled with ancient virtue being filled with ancient virtue be uncarved wood again

Ta-Kao He who knows the white and yet keeps to the black Will become the standard of the world; Being the standard of the world, with him eternal virtue will never falter, And then he can return again to the absolute.

Walker To know the bright and yet hold to the dull is to be an example for the world. Being the example for the world, not deviating from the everlasting power of Tao, you return to the infinite once again: limitless.

Wieger Knowing oneself to be enlightened, and willingly passing oneself off as ignorant; willingly letting oneself be walked over ... To behave thus is to show that the primordial virtue has not wavered in oneself, that one is still united with the first Principle.

World See the white and the black as one. Be a guiding light to the world. As a guiding light to the world, standing firm in the truth of oneness, mirror Infinity for all to see. Remember that honor and humility are one. Be a vessel of Infinity

Wu Know the white, Keep to the black, And be the Pattern of the World. To be the Pattern of the World is To move constantly in the path of Virtue Without erring a single step, And to return again to the Infinite.

Ch. 28 Sentence 3

Beck Know glory and keep to humility. Become the valley of the world. Being the valley of the world is eternal power and returning to the natural.

Blackney Be aware of your glory and honour; But in never relinquishing shame, You shall be to the world like a valley, Where Virtue eternal, sufficient, Sends you back to the Virginal Block.

Bynner One who is highest of men And humblest also Is in himself a valley of the world, And, being a valley of the world, Continuously, endlessly Conducts the one source From which vessels may be usefully filled;

Byrn Know the honorable, but do not shun the disgraced: embracing the world as it is. If you embrace the world with compassion, then your virtue will return you to the Uncarved Block.

Chan He who knows glory but keeps to humility Becomes the valley of the world, He will be proficient in eternal virtue, And returns to the state of simplicity (uncarved wood).

Cleary Knowing thee glorious, keep the ignominious; be open to the world. Be open to the world, and eternal power suffices, returning again to simplicity.

Crowley Knowing splendour of Fame, cling to Obloquy and Infamy; then shall you remain in the Valley to which flow all waters, the lodestone to fascinate all men. Yea, they shall hail in you this Excellence, eternal, simple and perfect, of the Child.

Hansen To know its 'sublime' and preserve its 'disgraced' is to act as the world's valley. To act as the world's valley, treating virtuosity as constant is sufficient to return to uncarved wood.

LaFargue Be familiar with what is praiseworthy but watch over what is disgraceful - and become the Valley of the World. Being the Valley of the World, your invariant Te will be sufficient. Turn back to being an Uncarved Block.

Legge Who knows how glory shines, Yet loves disgrace, nor e'er for it is pale; Behold his presence in a spacious vale, To which men come from all beneath the sky. The unchanging excellence completes its tale; The simple infant man in him we hail.

Lindauer Know what is honorable Keep to what is humiliating Act as the valley of the world. Acting as the valley of the world The ideal entirely becomes sufficient Return, merge with, relate to true nature.

LinYutan He who is familiar with honor and glory But keeps to obscurity Becomes the valley of the world. Being the valley of the world, He has an eternal power which always suffices, And returns again to the natural integrity of uncarved wood.

Mabry Know honour, yet remain humble And be empty of the world. Being empty of the world is good enough And you will return to the simplicity of the uncarved block

McDonald He who knows glory, yet keeps to obscurity or even cleaves to ignominy, turns into the valley that receives into it all kind of things. And being such a valley he has all the time a power that suffices. So he returns again to some pristine simplicity, returns to the state of simplicity: its the raw, uncarved block.

Merel Using the light, being dark, Being the world, You perfect harmony And return to the Way.

Mitchell Know the personal, yet keep to the impersonal: accept the world as it is. If you accept the world, the Tao will be luminous inside you and you will return to your primal self.

Muller Know Glory but cleave to Humiliation Be the valley for everyone. When your constancy in virtue is complete You return to the state of the "uncarved block."

Red Pine recognize the white but hold onto the black and be the world's guide being the world's guide don't stray from the ancient virtue not straying from ancient virtue be without limits again

Ta-Kao He who knows honour and yet keeps to humility Will become a valley that receives all the world into it; Being a valley of the world, with him eternal virtue Will be complete, And then he can return again to wholeness.

Walker To know honour and yet keep to humility is to be the valley for the world. Being the valley for the world, rich with the primal power of Tao, you return once again to simplicity, like uncarved wood.

Wieger Knowing oneself worthy of fame, yet staying in voluntary obscurity; willingly making oneself the valley (the lowest point) of the empire ... To behave thus is to show that one has the original self-sacrifice still intact that one is still in the state of natural simplicity.

World As a vessel of Infinity, be a resource to all beings. Become as a piece of uncarved wood; available for any purpose

Wu Know the glorious, Keep to the lowly, And be the Fountain of the World. To be the Fountain of the World is To live the abundant life of Virtue, And to return again to Primal Simplicity.

Ch. 28 Sentence 4

Beck Breaking up the natural makes instruments. The wise use them and become leaders. Therefore a leader does not break.

Blackney When the Virginal Block is asunder, And is made into several tools, To the ends of the Wise Man directed, They become then his chief officers: For "The Master himself does not carve."

Bynner Servants of the state are such vessels, To be filled from an undiminishing supply.

Byrn The block of wood is carved into utensils by carving void into the wood. The Master uses the utensils, yet prefers to keep to the block because of its limitless possibilities. Great works do not involve discarding substance.

Chan When the uncarved wood is broken up, it is turned into concrete things. But when the sage uses it, he becomes the leading official. Therefore the great ruler does not cut up.

Cleary Simplicity is lost to make instruments, which sages employ as functionaries. Therefore the great fashioner does no splitting.

Crowley The raw material, wrought into form, produces vessels. So the sage king formulates his Wholeness in divers Offices; and his Law is without violence or constraint.

Hansen If wood is split then it is deemed an artifact. Sages use it and they are deemed officials and elders. Thus great systems don't cut.

LaFargue When the Uncarved Block is cut up then it becomes a government tool. When the Wise Person instead uses it then it becomes head of the government Yes: A great carver does no cutting, a great ruler makes no rules.

Legge The unwrought material, when divided and distributed, forms vessels. The sage, when employed, becomes the Head of all the Officers (of government); and in his greatest regulations he employs no violent measures.

Lindauer True nature broken and scattered Next comes action as tools Being used by sages Next comes action as mediums for growth. In this way great tailors are not cutting.

LinYutan Break up this uncarved wood And it is shaped into vessel In the hands of the Sage They become the officials and magistrates. Therefore the great ruler does not cut up.

Mabry If the block is carved it is trapped in one form and critiqued. The Sage prefers simplicity and so is ahead of them all. He knows better than to divide the whole.

McDonald Break up simple awareness and it becomes shaped. Next it becomes someone's tool in the hands of the wise man. For when a block is sawed up it's made into subordinates or implements. When the wise man uses it, it becomes chief. So the greatest carver does the least cutting, as they say. The great ruler doesn't cut up.

Merel

Mitchell The world is formed from the void, like utensils from a block of wood. The Master knows the utensils, yet keeps to the block: thus she can use all things.

Muller The block is cut into implements. The sage uses them to fulfill roles. Therefore the great tailor does not cut.

Red Pine uncarved wood can be split to make tools the sage makes it his chief official a master tailor doesn't cut

Ta-Kao Wholeness, when divided, will make vessels of utility; These when employed by the Sage will become officials and chiefs. However, for a great function no discrimination is needed.

Walker Allow Tao to carve you into a vessel for Tao. Then you can serve the world without mutilating it.

Wieger (The Sage will refuse therefore the burden of being a governor. If he is constrained to accept such a post, then he will remind himself that) the multiplicity of beings have come from the primordial unity by a scattering. (That he will never busy himself with these diverse beings), but govern as chief of the officials (as prime mover), uniquely applying himself to general government, without occupying himself with details.

World When a piece of wood is carved, it becomes useful. When the sage flows in oneness, he becomes useful as king. Therefore, the sage is careful in using what he needs but avoiding kingship

Wu When Primal Simplicity diversifies, It becomes useful vessels, Which, in the hands of the Sage, become officers. Hence, "a great tailor does little cutting."

Ch. 28	Sentence 2
Beck	Know the bright and keep to the obscure. Become an example for the world. Being an example for the world is eternal power and returning to the infinite.
Blackney	Be aware of the white all around you; But rememb'ring the black that is there, You shall be to the world like a tester, Whom the Virtue eternal, unerring, Redirects to the infinite past.
Bynner	One who, preferring light, Prefers darkness also Is in himself an image of the world And, being an image of the world, Is continuously, endlessly The dwelling of creation;
Byrn	Know the white, yet keep to the black: be a model for the world. If you are a model for the world, the Tao inside you will strengthen and you will return whole to your eternal beginning.
Chan	He who knows the white and yet keeps to the black Becomes the model for the world. Being the model for the world, He will never deviate from eternal virtue, But returns to the state of the non-ultimate.
Cleary	Knowing the white, keep the black; be an exemplar for the world. Be an exemplar for the world, and eternal power never goes awry, returning again to infinity.
Crowley	Knowing the light, remain in the Dark. Manifest not your Glory, but your obscurity. Clothed in this Child-excellence eternal, you have attained the Return of the First State.
Hansen	To know its 'white' and preserve its 'black' is to act as the world's paradigm. To act as the world's paradigm, treat virtuosity as constant and avoid lapses is to return to the negative ultimate.
LaFargue	Be familiar with what is pure and white but watch over what is dark and black - and become the Pattern for the World. Being the Pattern for the World, your invariant Te Will be constant. Turn back to being limitless.
Legge	Who knows how white attracts, Yet always keeps himself within black's shade, The pattern of humility displayed, Displayed in view of all beneath the sky; He in the unchanging excellence arrayed, Endless return to man's first state has made.
Lindauer	Know what is white Keep to what is black Act as the model of the world. Acting as the model of the world The ideal entirely lacks error Return, merge with, relate to an absence of reaching limits.
LinYutan	He who is conscious of the white (bright) But keeps to the black (dark) Becomes the model for the world. Being the model for the world, He has the eternal power which never errs, And returns again to the Primordial Nothingness.
Mabry	Be aware of the obvious - the light But keep to the mysterious - the dark And set an example for the world. Be an example for the world And do not stray from your calling And you will return to the Eternal.
McDonald	He who knows the white, yet keeps and cleaves to the black becomes the standard by which all things are tested, he becomes the model for the world. As such he has all the time the eternal power that never errs; and he returns to the limitless, a primordial nothingness.
Merel	Using strength, being weak, Being the root of the world, You complete harmony And become as unshaped wood.
Mitchell	Know the white, yet keep to the black: be a pattern for the world. If you are a pattern for the world, the Tao will be strong inside you and there will be nothing you can't do.
Muller	Know the White, cleave to the Black Be a model for everyone. Being the model for everyone You are always in virtue and free from error You return to limitlessness.
Red Pine	recognize the pure but hold onto the defiled and be the world's valley being the world's valley be filled with ancient virtue being filled with ancient virtue be uncarved wood again
Ta-Kao	He who knows the white and yet keeps to the black Will become the standard of the world; Being the standard of the world, with him eternal virtue will never falter, And then he can return again to the absolute.
Walker	To know the bright and yet hold to the dull is to be an example for the world. Being the example for the world, not deviating from the everlasting power of Tao, you return to the infinite once again: limitless.
Wieger	Knowing oneself to be enlightened, and willingly passing oneself off as ignorant; willingly letting oneself be walked over ... To behave thus is to show that the primordial virtue has not wavered in oneself, that one is still united with the first Principle.
World	See the white and the black as one. Be a guiding light to the world. As a guiding light to the world, standing firm in the truth of oneness, mirror Infinity for all to see. Remember that honor and humility are one. Be a vessel of Infinity
Wu	Know the white, Keep to the black, And be the Pattern of the World. To be the Pattern of the World is To move constantly in the path of Virtue Without erring a single step, And to return again to the Infinite.

Ch. 28	Sentence 3
Beck	Know glory and keep to humility. Become the valley of the world. Being the valley of the world is eternal power and returning to the natural.
Blackney	Be aware of your glory and honour; But in never relinquishing shame, You shall be to the world like a valley, Where Virtue eternal, sufficient, Sends you back to the Virginal Block.
Bynner	One who is highest of men And humblest also Is in himself a valley of the world, And, being a valley of the world, Continuously, endlessly Conducts the one source From which vessels may be usefully filled;
Byrn	Know the honorable, but do not shun the disgraced: embracing the world as it is. If you embrace the world with compassion, then your virtue will return you to the Uncarved Block.
Chan	He who knows glory but keeps to humility Becomes the valley of the world, He will be proficient in eternal virtue, And returns to the state of simplicity (uncarved wood).
Cleary	Knowing thee glorious, keep the ignominious; be open to the world. Be open to the world, and eternal power suffices, returning again to simplicity.
Crowley	Knowing splendour of Fame, cling to Obloquy and Infamy; then shall you remain in the Valley to which flow all waters, the lodestone to fascinate all men. Yea, they shall hail in you this Excellence, eternal, simple and perfect, of the Child.
Hansen	To know its 'sublime' and preserve its 'disgraced' is to act as the world's valley. To act as the world's valley, treating virtuosity as constant is sufficient to return to uncarved wood.
LaFargue	Be familiar with what is praiseworthy but watch over what is disgraceful - and become the Valley of the World. Being the Valley of the World, your invariant Te will be sufficient. Turn back to being an Uncarved Block.
Legge	Who knows how glory shines, Yet loves disgrace, nor e'er for it is pale; Behold his presence in a spacious vale, To which men come from all beneath the sky. The unchanging excellence completes its tale; The simple infant man in him we hail.
Lindauer	Know what is honorable Keep to what is humiliating Act as the valley of the world. Acting as the valley of the world The ideal entirely becomes sufficient Return, merge with, relate to true nature.
LinYutan	He who is familiar with honor and glory But keeps to obscurity Becomes the valley of the world. Being the valley of the world, He has an eternal power which always suffices, And returns again to the natural integrity of uncarved wood.
Mabry	Know honour, yet remain humble And be empty of the world. Being empty of the world is good enough And you will return to the simplicity of the uncarved block
McDonald	He who knows glory, yet keeps to obscurity or even cleaves to ignominy, turns into the valley that receives into it all kind of things. And being such a valley he has all the time a power that suffices. So he returns again to some pristine simplicity, returns to the state of simplicity: its the raw, uncarved block.
Merel	Using the light, being dark, Being the world, You perfect harmony And return to the Way.
Mitchell	Know the personal, yet keep to the impersonal: accept the world as it is. If you accept the world, the Tao will be luminous inside you and you will return to your primal self.
Muller	Know Glory but cleave to Humiliation Be the valley for everyone. When your constancy in virtue is complete You return to the state of the "uncarved block."
Red Pine	recognize the white but hold onto the black and be the world's guide being the world's guide don't stray from the ancient virtue not straying from ancient virtue be without limits again
Ta-Kao	He who knows honour and yet keeps to humility Will become a valley that receives all the world into it; Being a valley of the world, with him eternal virtue Will be complete, And then he can return again to wholeness.
Walker	To know honour and yet keep to humility is to be the valley for the world. Being the valley for the world, rich with the primal power of Tao, you return once again to simplicity, like uncarved wood.
Wieger	Knowing oneself worthy of fame, yet staying in voluntary obscurity; willingly making oneself the valley (the lowest point) of the empire ... To behave thus is to show that one has the original self-sacrifice still intact that one is still in the state of natural simplicity.
World	As a vessel of Infinity, be a resource to all beings. Become as a piece of uncarved wood; available for any purpose
Wu	Know the glorious, Keep to the lowly, And be the Fountain of the World. To be the Fountain of the World is To live the abundant life of Virtue, And to return again to Primal Simplicity.

Ch. 28	Sentence 4
Beck	Breaking up the natural makes instruments. The wise use them and become leaders. Therefore a leader does not break.
Blackney	When the Virginal Block is asunder, And is made into several tools, To the ends of the Wise Man directed, They become then his chief officers: For "The Master himself does not carve."
Bynner	Servants of the state are such vessels, To be filled from an undiminishing supply.
Byrn	The block of wood is carved into utensils by carving void into the wood. The Master uses the utensils, yet prefers to keep to the block because of its limitless possibilities. Great works do not involve discarding substance.
Chan	When the uncarved wood is broken up, it is turned into concrete things. But when the sage uses it, he becomes the leading official. Therefore the great ruler does not cut up.
Cleary	Simplicity is lost to make instruments, which sages employ as functionaries. Therefore the great fashioner does no splitting.
Crowley	The raw material, wrought into form, produces vessels. So the sage king formulates his Wholeness in divers Offices; and his Law is without violence or constraint.
Hansen	If wood is split then it is deemed an artifact. Sages use it and they are deemed officials and elders. Thus great systems don't cut.
LaFargue	When the Uncarved Block is cut up then it becomes a government tool. When the Wise Person instead uses it then it becomes head of the government Yes: A great carver does no cutting, a great ruler makes no rules.
Legge	The unwrought material, when divided and distributed, forms vessels. The sage, when employed, becomes the Head of all the Officers (of government); and in his greatest regulations he employs no violent measures.
Lindauer	True nature broken and scattered Next comes action as tools Being used by sages Next comes action as mediums for growth. In this way great tailors are not cutting.
LinYutan	Break up this uncarved wood And it is shaped into vessel In the hands of the Sage They become the officials and magistrates. Therefore the great ruler does not cut up.
Mabry	If the block is carved it is trapped in one form and critiqued. The Sage prefers simplicity and so is ahead of them all. He knows better than to divide the whole.
McDonald	Break up simple awareness and it becomes shaped. Next it becomes someone's tool in the hands of the wise man. For when a block is sawed up it's made into subordinates or implements. When the wise man uses it, it becomes chief. So the greatest carver does the least cutting, as they say. The great ruler doesn't cut up.
Merel
Mitchell	The world is formed from the void, like utensils from a block of wood. The Master knows the utensils, yet keeps to the block: thus she can use all things.
Muller	The block is cut into implements. The sage uses them to fulfill roles. Therefore the great tailor does not cut.
Red Pine	uncarved wood can be split to make tools the sage makes it his chief official a master tailor doesn't cut
Ta-Kao	Wholeness, when divided, will make vessels of utility; These when employed by the Sage will become officials and chiefs. However, for a great function no discrimination is needed.
Walker	Allow Tao to carve you into a vessel for Tao. Then you can serve the world without mutilating it.
Wieger	(The Sage will refuse therefore the burden of being a governor. If he is constrained to accept such a post, then he will remind himself that) the multiplicity of beings have come from the primordial unity by a scattering. (That he will never busy himself with these diverse beings), but govern as chief of the officials (as prime mover), uniquely applying himself to general government, without occupying himself with details.
World	When a piece of wood is carved, it becomes useful. When the sage flows in oneness, he becomes useful as king. Therefore, the sage is careful in using what he needs but avoiding kingship
Wu	When Primal Simplicity diversifies, It becomes useful vessels, Which, in the hands of the Sage, become officers. Hence, "a great tailor does little cutting."