Chapter 22 Dyer
The flexible are preserved unbroken.
The bent becomes straight.
The empty are filled.
The exhausted becomes renewed.
The poor are enriched.
The rich are confounded.
Therefore the sage embraces the One.
Because he doesn't display himself, people can see his light.
Because he has nothing to prove, people can trust his word.
Because he doesn't know who he is, people recognize themselves in him.
Because he has no goal in mind, everything he does succeeds.
The old saying that the flexible are preserved unbroken is surely right.
If you have truly attained wholeness, everything will flock to you.
Chapter 22 Henricks
1. Bent over, you'll be preserved whole;
2. When twisted, you'll be upright;
3. When hollowed out, you'll be full;
4. When worn out, you'll be renewed;
5. When you have little, you'll attain [much];
6. With much, you'll be confused.
7. Therefore the Sage holds on to the One and in this way becomes the shepherd of the world.
8. He does not show himself off; therefore he becomes prominent.
9. He does not put himself on display; therefore he brightly shines.
10. He does not brag about himself; therefore he receives credit.
11. He does not praise his own deeds; therefore he can long endure.
12. It is only because he does not compete that, therefore, no one is able to compete with him.
13. The so-called "Bent over you'll be preserved whole" of the ancients
14. Was an expression that was really close to it!
15. Truly "wholeness" will belong to him.
Chapter 22 Lau
Bowed down then preserved;
Bent then straight;
Hollow then full;
Worn then new;
A little then benefited;
A lot then perplexed.
Therefore the sage embraces the One and is a model for the empire.
He does not show himself, and so is conspicuous;
He does not consider himself right, and so is illustrious;
He does not brag, and so has merit;
He does not boast, and so endures.
It is because he does not contend that no one in the empire is in a position to contend with him.
The way the ancients had it, 'Bowed down then preserved', is no empty saying.
Truly it enables one to be preserved to the end.
Chapter 22 Wu
Bend and you will be whole.
Curl and you will be straight.
Keep empty and you will be filled.
Grow old and you will be renewed.
Have little and you will gain.
Have much and you will be confused.
Therefore, the Sage embraces the One,
And becomes a Pattern to all under Heaven.
He does not make a show of himself,
Hence he shines;
Does not justify himself,
Hence he becomes known;
Does not boast of his ability,
Hence he gets his credit;
Does not brandish his success,
Hence he endures;
Does not compete with anyone,
Hence no one can compete with him.
Indeed, the ancient saying: "Bend and you will remain whole" is no idle word.
Nay, if you have really attained wholeness, everything will flock to you.