Know its masculinity, hold to its femininity, and become the valley of the world. Masculinity is used as a metaphor for dignity, and femininity as a metaphor for humility. Even if a person is aware of their dignity and prominence, they should still maintain humility. They should abandon the aggressive nature associated with masculinity and embrace the gentle qualities of femininity. If one does this, all under heaven will turn to them, just as water flows into a deep valley. Become the valley of the world, and constant virtue will not depart from you. If a person can be humble like a deep valley, then virtue will remain constant and will no longer leave them. Return to the state of an infant. One should return one's aspirations to that of an infant, innocent and knowing nothing. Know brightness but hold to obscurity; thus you become a model for the world. Brightness is used as a metaphor for clarity, and darkness as a metaphor for quietness. Even if people are aware of clarity and brightness, they should return to maintaining quietness and obscurity, as though in darkness with nothing seen. If one does this, then one can become a model for all under heaven, and virtue will remain constant. Become a model for the world; then constant virtue will not deviate. If a person becomes a standard or example for all under heaven, then virtue will constantly reside within them and no longer be subject to error. Return to the boundless.

If virtue does not deviate, then life will be long and enduring, returning one's being to the infinite. Know honor but hold to disgrace; thus you become the hollow of the world. Honor is used as a metaphor for nobility, and disgrace as a metaphor for filth and impurity. If a person understands that they possess honor and nobility, they should instead maintain themselves in filth and impurity; if one does this, the world will turn to them as water flows into deep valleys. Become the hollow of the world; then constant virtue is fulfilled. Zu means "to stop." If a person can become the hollow for all under heaven, their virtue will constantly remain within them. Return to simplicity. One should return one's being to its natural and simple state, no longer adorned with artificial embellishments. When simplicity is dispersed, it becomes a vessel; Vessel means "use." The simplicity of all things disperses and becomes vessels for use. If the Dao is dispersed, it becomes spirits and deities; if it flows, it becomes sun and moon; if it divides, it becomes the Five Elements. Sages use this principle to become leaders of officials. When sages rise and employ it, they become the chief among all officials. Therefore, great governance is not severed or fragmented. When sages employ it, they use the Great Dao to govern the world without causing harm or division.