The sage does not contrive to find his self,
for he knows that all which may be found of it,
is that which it manifests to sense and thought,
which side by side with self itself, is nought.

The sage works quietly,
seeking neither praise nor fame;
completing what he does with natural ease,
and then retiring.

Detached, the sage is unified with his external world,
by being selfless he is fulfilled;
thus his selfhood is assured.

A contented man knows himself to be
more precious even than fame,
and so, obscure, remains.

The truth is not always beautiful,
nor beautiful words the truth.

Those who have virtue,
have no need of argument for its own sake,
for they know that argument is of no avail.

Those who have knowledge of the natural way
do not train themselves in cunning,
whilst those who use cunning to rule their lives,
and the lives of others,
are not knowledgeable of the Tao,
nor of natural happiness.

The still mind of the sage is the mirror of heaven and earth,
the glass of all things.
Vacancy, stillness, placidity, tastelessness, quietude,
silence, and non-action this is the Level of heaven and earth,
and the perfection of the Tao and its characteristics.