Chapter 15

a> In the past, those who were good at being gentlemen were subtle, marvelous, mysterious, penetrating – so deep they could not be fathomed. Just because they cannot be fathomed, I strain to describe their appearance:

Hesitant, as though crossing a winter stream;

Timid, as though fearing all nearby;

Reverent, like a guest;

Rent, like river ice soon to melt;

Solid, like an uncarved block;

Vacant, like a valley;

Turbid, like muddied water.

b> Who can be turbid, yet settling slowly clear?

Who can be at rest, yet moving slowly come to life?

c> One who protects this dao does not wish to become full. It is precisely because he is not full that he can be tattered yet new made.