The superior person who hears of the Dao diligently puts it into practice. When a superior person hears about the Dao, he personally toils and exerts himself to put it into practice. The intermediate person who hears of the Dao is uncertain, as if it were both present and absent. When an intermediate person hears about the Dao, they cultivate themselves to ensure long-term existence and govern the country for peace and stability. They joyfully preserve it in their hearts; however, when they retreat and encounter wealth, beauty, honor, and reputation, they become confused by desires and emotions, thus losing it again. The inferior person who hears of the Dao laughs at it greatly. The inferior person is greedy, fierce, and desirous. Seeing the Dao as gentle and weak, they consider it frightening; seeing the Dao as simple and unadorned, they regard it as crude and vulgar, hence they greatly laugh at it. If it is not laughed at, it would not be considered the Dao. If something is not ridiculed by inferior people, it cannot truly be called the Dao. Therefore, there are established sayings: Jian means to set up or establish. Establish words and statements about the Dao; they should follow as in the following sentences. The clear Dao appears obscure, a person who embodies clarity of the Dao seems dark and ignorant with nothing to see. Advancing along the Dao appears like retreating, one who seeks to advance in the Dao is as if falling behind and not reaching. The level Dao appears bumpy. The highest virtue is like a valley, a person of the highest virtue is like a deep valley, not ashamed of filth and turbidity. The purest white appears as if stained, a person with the greatest purity seems defiled, not seeking to display themselves. Vast virtue appears insufficient, a person of extensive virtue is as if foolish and stubbornly lacking. Establishing virtue appears like stealing, one who establishes morality and virtue seems to be able to secretly draw it away into emptiness.

Yi means flat or level. Those who follow the Great Dao do not distinguish themselves as special; they appear to be like many others. The highest virtue is like a valley, a person of the highest virtue is like a deep valley, not ashamed of filth and turbidity. The purest white appears as if stained, a person with the greatest purity seems defiled, not seeking to display themselves. Vast virtue appears insufficient, a person of extensive virtue is as if foolish and stubbornly lacking. Establishing virtue appears like stealing, one who establishes morality and virtue seems to be able to secretly draw it away into emptiness. Sincerity appears changeable, a sincere and simple person is as if the five colors are fading and unclear. The great square has no corners, a truly upright and square person has no crookedness or sharp angles. The great vessel is late in becoming complete, a great talent is like the Nine Tripods or Hulian, which cannot be hastily completed. The grandest sound has few sounds, the great sound is like thunder and lightning waiting for the right moment to act; it serves as a metaphor for loving breath and speaking sparingly. The grand image has no form, a person embodying the great pattern of law is simple and unadorned with appearance or shape. The Dao is hidden without a name. The Dao is concealed and subtle, making it impossible for people to point out its name. Only the Dao can give generously and complete things. Cheng means to achieve or accomplish. The Dao alone nourishes all beings through wu wei, acting without force, completing without claiming.