Forty One
The wise student hears of the Tao and practices it diligently.
The average student hears of the Tao and gives it thought now and again.
The foolish student hears of Tao and laughs aloud.
If there were no laughter Tao would not be what it is.
Hence it is said:
The bright path seems dim:
Going forward seems like retreat:
The easy way seems hard:
The highest Virtue seems empty:
The greatest purity seems sullied:
A wealth of virtue seems inadequate:
The strength of Virtue seems frail:
Real virtue seems unreal:
The perfect square has no corners:
Great talents ripens late:
The highest note are hard to bear:
The greatest form has no shape:
The Tao is hidden without name.
The Tao alone nourishes and brings everything to fulfillment.