28

Knowing the masculine

and nurturing the feminine

you become the river of all beneath heaven.

River of all beneath heaven

you abide by perennial Integrity

and so return to infancy.

Knowing the white

and nurturing the black

you become the pattern of all beneath heaven.

Pattern of all beneath heaven

you abide by perennial Integrity

and so return to the boundless.

Knowing splendor

and nurturing ruin

you become the valley of all beneath heaven.

Valley of all beneath heaven

you rest content in perennial Integrity

and so return to the simplicity of uncarved wood.

When uncarved wood is split apart

it becomes mere implements.

But when a sage is employed

he becomes a true minister,

for the great governing blade carves nothing.