Chapter 27
Know the masculine, yet hold to the feminine, and become a valley for all under heaven.
Becoming a valley for all under heaven, constant virtue never departs, and one returns to the state of an infant.
Knowing the bright, yet guarding the dark, one becomes a pattern for all under heaven.
Becoming a pattern for all under heaven, constant virtue does not deviate, and one returns to the limitless.
Knowing one's glory, yet guarding one's disgrace, one becomes a valley for all under heaven.
Being a valley for all under heaven, constant virtue becomes complete, and one returns to the uncarved block.
When the uncarved block is dispersed, it becomes vessels. When the sage employs this principle, he becomes chief among officials. Thus the great system does not cut.