Chapter 22 Anything which is able to yield

 

Chapter 22

曲則全,枉則直,窪則盈,敝則新,少則得,多則惑。是以聖人抱一為天下式,不自見故明,不自是故彰,不自伐故有功,不自矜故長。古之所謂曲則全者,豈虛言哉?誠全而歸之。

qu ze quan
曲則全

Anything which is able to yield will ensure its integrity.

wang ze zhi
枉則直

Anything which is unnaturally crooked will be straightened in the end.

wa ze ying
窪則盈

Any depression in the ground will be filled up sooner or later.

bi ze xin
敝則新

Anything covered will be uncovered one day.

shao ze de
少則得

The less will gain.

duo ze huo
多則惑

The excessive will feel confounded.

shi yi sheng ren bao
yi wei tian xia shi
是以聖人抱一為天下式

The shengren will embrace the concept of harmony and play his role and set a model for all people to follow subconsciously.

bu ji xian gu ming
不自見故明

He does not need to use his high status to give orders and the people will respond to him naturally.

bu ji shi gu zhang
不自是故彰

He does not deem himself as a superior and the people will accept his high status naturally.

bu zi fa gu you gong
不自伐故有功

He does not acquire achievement for his own good and the people will honor him naturally.

bu zi jin gu zhang
不自矜故長

He does not boast about himself and the people will respect and follow him naturally.

gu zhi suo wei qu ze quan zhe, qi xu yan zai
古之所謂曲則全者,豈虛言哉

This ancient saying of “anything which is able to yield will ensure its integrity” is so true.

cheng quan er gui zhi
誠全而歸之

When you are able to take care of the whole society, you will win the hearts of all people.