Religion

Chapter 22

by Laozi (Lao Tzu) traditionally 6th century BC

Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)

Religion

The partial becomes complete; the crooked, straight; the empty, full; the worn out, new. He whose (desires) are few gets them; he whose (desires) are many goes astray.

Therefore the sage holds in his embrace the one thing (of humility), and manifests it to all the world. He is free from self-display, and therefore he shines; from self-assertion, and therefore he is distinguished; from self-boasting, and therefore his merit is acknowledged; from self-complacency, and therefore he acquires superiority. It is because he is thus free from striving that therefore no one in the world is able to strive with him.

That saying of the ancients that 'the partial becomes complete' was not vainly spoken:--all real completion is comprehended under it.

This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.

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Prose translation of a largely rhymed original, with occasional rhymed renderings by Legge; words in parentheses are his supplied additions.

MLA

Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 22.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/21/.

Chicago

Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 22.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/21/.

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