Difficulty of climbing, only difficulty of climbing,
hurt and affliction, accompany
profit of making the valley full.
To assume greatness leads only to disaster;
great words, and people will speak without meaning.
These things cause problems.
Then lead simplicity.
Therefore go
in order to avoid what has no name.
Before you leave you will always be feeling as if on the river.
other readings further drafts from the same generation
deeper strata where the meaning thins
the original
1.
Who thinks his great achievements poor
Shall find his vigour long endure.
Of greatest fulness, deemed a void,
Exhaustion ne'er shall stem the tide.
Do thou what's straight still crooked deem;
Thy greatest art still stupid seem,
And eloquence a stammering scream.
2. Constant action overcomes cold; being still overcomes heat. Purity
and stillness give the correct law to all under heaven.