Tao Te Ching #41

A wise student hears of the Tao,

And practices it diligently.

An average student hears of the Tao,

And half believes and half doubts.

A foolish student hears of the Tao,

And laughs out loud.

If such a student did not laugh,

It would not be the Tao.

Thus it is said:

The path into light seems dark;

The path forward seems backward;

The path to tranquility seems rough.

Goodness so high seems humble;

Purity so great seems disgraceful;

Virtue so vast seems inadequate;

Virtue so stable seems unsteady;

Virtue so constant seems changeable.

The biggest heart has no dark corners;

The greatest talent seems delayed;

The greatest music seems silent;

The greatest form seems formless.

The great Tao is hidden and nameless,

Thus only the Tao can bring fulfillment to all.

Translated by Chiyan Wang

Edited by Noah Wang & R. H. S