The partial becomes complete; the crooked, straight; the empty, full; the worn out, new. He whose (desires) are few gets them; he whose (desires) are many goes astray.Therefore the sage holds in his embrace the one thing (of humility), and manifests it to all the world. He is free from self- display, and therefore…
Chapter 21 introduces the concept of Virtue (De), whose essential characteristics are defined by the Dao itself.
Chapter 17 of the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching) establishes a hierarchy of governance where political excellence is measured by its operational invisibility.
Chapter 16 of the Dao De Jing synthesizes two pillars of spiritual practice: the cultivation of stability and the cultivation of wisdom.
The five colors blind the eyes;the five tones deafen the ears;the five flavors dull the palate;galloping and hunting madden the heart;rare and precious goods lead one’s conduct astray. Thus, the sage seeks fulfillment for the belly, not for the eyes—therefore he discards the one and chooses the other.