The superior hear of the Dao and diligently put it into practice. Those of middling character hear of it and seem to follow it, then seem to abandon it. The inferior hear of it and laugh. If they did not laugh, it would not be the Dao. Thus an old saying goes: The bright Dao seems dim; the advancing Dao seems to retreat; the level Dao seems rough. The highest virtue is like a valley; the purest white seems stained; great virtue seems insufficient; steadfast virtue seems lax; true substance seems to change. The greatest square has no corners; the greatest vessel takes the longest to complete; the greatest sound is barely heard; the greatest image has no form. The Dao is hidden and nameless.
