为天下溪,常德不离,复归于婴儿。
and being such a ravine he knows all the time a power that he never calls upon in vain. #2 This is returning to the state of infancy.
知其白,守其黑,为天下式。
He who knows the white, yet cleaves to the black becomes the standard by which all things are tested;
为天下式,常德不忒,复归于无极。
and being such a standard he has all the time a power that never errs, he returns to the Limitless.
知其荣,守其辱,为天下谷,常德乃足,复归于朴。
He who knows glory, yet cleaves to ignominy become like a valley that receives into it all things under heaven, and being such a valley he has all the time a power that suffices; he returns to the state of the Uncarved Block.
朴散则为器, 圣人用之,则为官长,故大制不割。
Now when a block is sawed up it is made into implements; but when the Sage uses it, it becomes Chief of all Ministers. #2 Truly, “The greatest carver does the least cutting”.