第四十五章     藏鋒內斂

大成若缺，其用不弊。大盈若沖，其用不窮。大直若屈，大巧若拙，大辯若訥。躁勝寒，靜勝熱。清靜為天下正。

Using Emptiness

The greatest perfection seemsincomplete, but its utility is never impaired. The greatest fullness seemsempty, but its use cannot be exhausted. What is most direct seems devious.

The greatest skill seemsawkward. The greatest eloquence seems like stuttering.

Movement overcomes cold.Stillness overcomes heat. The serene and calm are guides for all.

[譯文]

最完滿的物質顯現處于動態平衡中，它的循環往復不絕。巨大的宇宙空間雖空曠無際，其功用卻不會窮盡。直線的盡頭是彎曲的，技巧的盡頭是笨拙，能言善辯的盡頭是無言。