夫唯不可识，故强为之容﹕豫兮若冬涉川，犹兮若畏四邻，俨兮其若客，涣兮若冰之将释，敦兮其若朴，旷兮其若谷，浑兮其若浊。
And because such men could not be understood I can but tell of them as they appeared to the world: circumspect they seemed, like one who in winter crosses a stream, watchful, as one who must meet danger on every side. #2 Ceremonious, as one who pays a visit; yet yielding, as ice when it begins to melt.#3 Blank, as a piece of uncarved wood; Yet receptive as a hollow in the hills.#4Murky, as a troubled stream -(Tranquil, as the vast reaches of the sea, Drifting as the wind with no stop.)
孰能浊以静之徐清﹖
Which of you an assume such murkiness, to become in the end still and clear?”
孰能安以久动之徐生﹖
Which of you can make yourself insert, to become in the end full of life and stir?
保此道者不欲盈，夫唯不盈，故能蔽不新成。
Those who possess this Tao do not try to fill themselves to the brim, and because they do not try to fill themselves to the brim, they are like a garment that endures all wear and need never be renewed.