when the great man learns the way, he follows it with diligence;

　　when the common man learns the way, he follows it on occasion;

　　when the mean man learns the way, he laughs out loud;

　　those who do not laugh, do not learn at all.

　　therefore it is said:

　　who understands the way seems foolish;

　　who progresses on the way seems to fail;

　　who follows the way seems to wander.

　　for the finest harmony appears plain;

　　the brightest truth appears coloured;

　　the richest character appears incomplete;

　　the bravest heart appears meek;

　　the simplest nature appears inconstant. the square, perfected, has no corner;

　　music, perfected, has no melody;

　　love, perfected, has no climax;

　　art, perfected, has no meaning.

　　the way can be neither sensed nor known:

　　it transmits sensation and transcends knowledge.