He who has empty empty embraces sticks to mud.
A follower of Dao stands firmly on tiptoe,
does not move his weight,
is small,
can only lead by his own efforts.
His arms are sharp,
only for force,
A body is soft,
there is no resistance,
Yet people love it.
With those whom the world regards as base,
they will turn away.
other readings further drafts from the same generation
deeper strata where the meaning thins
the original
1. Abstaining from speech marks him who is obeying the spontaneity
of his nature. A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a
sudden rain does not last for the whole day. To whom is it that these
(two) things are owing? To Heaven and Earth. If Heaven and Earth
cannot make such (spasmodic) actings last long, how much less can man!
2. Therefore when one is making the Tao his business, those who are
also pursuing it, agree with him in it, and those who are making the
manifestation of its course their object agree with him in that; while
even those who are failing in both these things agree with him where
they fail.
3. Hence, those with whom he agrees as to the Tao have the happiness
of attaining to it; those with whom he agrees as to its manifestation
have the happiness of attaining to it; and those with whom he agrees
in their failure have also the happiness of attaining (to the Tao).
(But) when there is not faith sufficient (on his part), a want of
faith (in him) ensues (on the part of the others).