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Chapter
45
大成若缺,其用不弊。大盈若冲,其用不穷。
大直若屈,大巧若拙,大辩若讷。
静胜躁,寒胜热*。清静,为天下正。
Perfect things seem full of imperfections, but they do not wear out. Well-filled things seem empty, but they are not exhausted. Perfectly straight things appear crooked. Perfectly ingenious beings appear stupid. Perfectly spoken beings seem to stutter.
Quietness triumphs over excitement; and coldness triumphs over heat.
The one who is clear and quiet becomes the model of the world.
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