Chapter 21
Yielding leads to wholeness; bending leads to straightening; emptiness leads to fullness; decay leads to renewal; having little leads to gaining; having much leads to confusion.
Thus the sage embraces the One and becomes a pattern for all under heaven.
Not displaying himself, he is luminous. Not asserting himself right, he is distinguished. Not boasting of himself, he has merit. Not aggrandizing himself, he endures.
Precisely because he does not contend, no one in the world can contend with him.
The ancient saying 'yield and remain whole' - how could this be empty words! Truly become whole, and all things will return to you.