是以聖人抱一為天下式。
Therefore the sage holds in his embrace the one thing of humility, and manifests it to all the world.
不自見，故明；不自是，故彰；不自伐，故有功；不自矜，故長。
He is free from self-display, and therefore he shines; from self-assertion, and therefore he is distinguished; from self-boasting, and therefore his merit is acknowledged; from self-complacency, and therefore he acquires superiority.
夫唯不爭，故天下莫能與之爭。
It is because he is thus free from striving that therefore no one in the world is able to strive with him.
古之所謂曲則全者，豈虛言哉！誠全而歸之。
That saying of the ancients that 'the partial becomes complete' was not vainly spoken: all real completion is comprehended under it.