15
THE ancient adepts of the Tao were subtle and
flexible,
profound and comprehensive.
Their minds were too deep to be fathomed.
Because they are unfathomable,
One can only describe them vaguely by
their
appearance.
Hesitant like one wading a stream in winter;
Timid like one afraid
of his neighbours on all sides;
Cautious and courteous like a
guest;
Yielding like ice on the point of melting;
Simple like an
uncarved block;
Hollow like a cave;
Confused like a muddy
pool;
And yet who else could quietly and gradually evolve
from
the muddy to the clear?
Who else could slowly but steadily move from
the inert
to the living?
He who keeps the Tao does not want to be full.
But precisely because
he is never full,
He can always remain like a hidden sprout,
And
does not rush to early ripening.
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