An excellent man learns of the Way
And diligently walks it

A middling man learns of the Way
Sometimes he follows
Sometimes he loses it

A lowly man learns of the Way
And mocks it without end

But if it were not mocked it would not be the Way!
So sayings were made for it:

The light Way is dark
The forward Way is backwards
The smooth Way is rough

The highest Character is in the valley
The purest Character is dishonourable
Generous Character does not suffice
Upright Character is perfunctory
Matter's nature is to change

The boundless plane has no corners
The boundless vessel completes late
The boundless sound is a quiet melody
The boundless image has no shape

The Way's shadow is nameless
Only the Way is good at providing and refining

上士聞道
勤而行之

中士聞道
若存若亡

下士聞道
大笑之

不笑不足以為道
故建言有之

明道若昧
進道若退
夷道若纇

上德若谷
大白若辱
廣德不足
建德若偷
質真若渝

大方無隅
大器晚成
大音希聲
大象無形

道隱無名
夫唯道善貸且成