Water does not force its way.

A good door needs no lock, still it can't be opened.

When wisdom and knowledge appear, great pretense arises.

Knowledge of the eternal is all-embracing. To be all-embracing leads to righteousness, which is majestic.

Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space within that makes it useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; It is the holes which make it useful. Therefore benefit comes from what is there; Usefulness from what is not there.

The sage acts without taking credit. He accomplishes without dwelling on it. He does not want to display his worth.

The more you know the less you understand.

Clay is molded to form a cup, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the cup depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a room, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the room depends. Therefore turn being into advantage, and turn non-being into utility.

The sage does not act and therefore does not fail, does not seize and therefore does not lose.

The noble must make humility his root.