1Scholars of the highest class, when they hear about the Tao, earnestly carry it into practice.
2Scholars of the middle class, when they have heard about it, seem now to keep it and now to lose it.
3Scholars of the lowest class, when they have heard about it, laugh greatly at it.
4If it were not (thus) laughed at, it would not be fit to be the Tao.
5Therefore the sentence-makers have thus expressed themselves:-- 'The Tao, when brightest seen, seems light to lack; Who progress in it makes, seems drawing back; Its even way is like a rugged track.
6Its highest virtue from the vale doth rise; Its greatest beauty seems to offend the eyes; And he has most whose lot the least supplies.
7Its firmest virtue seems but poor and low; Its solid truth seems change to undergo; Its largest square doth yet no corner show A vessel great, it is the slowest made; Loud is its sound, but never word it said; A semblance great, the shadow of a shade.'
8The Tao is hidden, and has no name; but it is the Tao which is skilful at imparting (to all things what they need) and making them complete.