Recognize the male,
but hold onto the female
and be a ravine for the world.
As a ravine,
you will keep your ancient virtue,
and with it
you will be a newborn child again.
Recognize the white,
but hold onto the black
and be a guide for the world.
As a guide,
do not stray from ancient virtue,
so without straying
you will be boundless again.
Recognize the pure,
but hold onto the muck
and be a valley for the world.
As a valley,
you will be filled with ancient virtue,
and so filled
you will be uncarved wood again.
Uncarved wood can be cut to made tools,
but the wise, uncarved, is not a tool:
a master tailor does not cut.