Chapter 40
When a superior practitioner hears of the Way, they diligently practice it. When an average practitioner hears of the Way, they half-believe and half-doubt. When an inferior practitioner hears of the Way, they laugh out loud at it.
If it were not laughed at, it would not be sufficient to be called the Way.
Therefore the established sayings have it thus: The bright Way appears dim; the advancing Way appears to retreat; the level Way appears rough; the highest virtue appears like a valley; the greatest whiteness appears soiled; expansive virtue appears insufficient; solid virtue appears furtive; pure genuineness appears changeable; the great square has no corners; the great vessel is completed late; the great sound is rarely heard; the great image has no form; the Dao is hidden and without name.
Only the Dao excels at lending forth and bringing to completion.