Be Tactful and You Remain Whole

Be tactful and you remain whole,
Bend and you remain straight,
The hollow is filled,
The old is renewed,
Economy is gain,
Excess is confusion
Therefore sages embrace unity
As a model for the world,
Not seeing themselves,
They are therefore clear
Not asserting themselves
They are therefore outstanding.
Not congratulating themselves,
They are therefore meritorious.
Not taking pride in themselves,
They last long.
It is just because they do not contend
That no one in the world can contend with them.
Is it empty talk, the old saying
That tact keeps you whole?
When truthfulness is complete,
It still resorts to this.

- Lao Tse