Virtuous conduct leaves no wheel tracks behind; those who practice the Way of virtue seek it within themselves; they do not leave their hall or step outside their door, hence there are no wheel tracks. Good words leave no blemishes or censure; good speech means choosing one's words carefully when speaking, thus there are no flaws or criticisms from the world. Skillful calculation requires no counting rods or strategies; those skilled in calculating affairs through the Dao remain steadfast and do not waver; what they calculate is minimal, so there is no need for counting rods or strategies to know it. Skillful closure requires no bolts or bars and cannot be opened; those who skillfully close their desires and emotions by following the Dao to protect their spirit are like doors without bolts or bars that cannot be opened. Skillful tying requires no ropes or bindings and cannot be untied. Those who skillfully tie matters through the Dao can only bind their hearts; they are not like ropes or cords that can be untied. Therefore, the sage constantly skillfully saves people; the reason sages often teach people loyalty and filial piety is to save their lives, hence there are no discarded people, so that the noble and humble each find their proper place. Constantly skillfully saves things; the reason sages constantly teach the people to follow the four seasons is to save the damaged and injured among all beings, hence there are no abandoned objects. Sages do not look down on names but regard jade and names as one and the same in value.

This is called inheriting the great wisdom of the Dao. Therefore, a good person is the teacher of an unvirtuous one; a person who acts with virtue, sages immediately take as their human teacher. An unvirtuous person is the resource of a good one. Zi, means to use. A person who behaves immorally, sages still teach and guide them toward virtue, so they can be made useful. Not valuing one's teacher means lacking assistance; not cherishing one's resources means having no one to use. Though they consider themselves wise, they are greatly deluded. This is called the essential subtlety.