The greatest straightness seems crooked

.

The greatest accomplishments seem imperfect,

yet their usefulness is not diminished.

The greatest fullness seems empty,

yet it will be inexhaustible.

.

The greatest straightness seems crooked.

The most valued skill seems like clumsiness.

The greatest speech seems full of stammers.

.

Movement overcomes the cold,

and stillness overcomes the heat.

That which is pure and still is the universal ideal.

.

Lao Tzu

from the Tao Te Ching
translation by j.h.mcdonald

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