Tao Te Ching, Chapter 45

Translation

45.

1.

Who thinks his great achievements poor Shall find his vigour long endure. Of greatest fulness, deemed a void, Exhaustion ne'er shall stem the tide. Do thou what's straight still crooked deem; Thy greatest art still stupid seem, And eloquence a stammering scream.

2. Constant action overcomes cold; being still overcomes heat. Purity and stillness give the correct law to all under heaven.

Practical Reading

Completion appears as incompleteness. What seems perfect contains imperfection. In striving for excellence, accepting imperfection paradoxically improves performance. Perfectionism often masks fear of failure.