skill seems like clumsiness

.

 

 

 

The greatest accomplishments seem imperfect,

yet their usefulness is not diminished.

The greatest fullness seems empty,

yet it will be inexhaustible.

 

The greatest straightness seems crooked.

The most valued skill seems like clumsiness.

The greatest speech seems full of stammers.

 

Movement overcomes the cold,

and stillness overcomes the heat.

That which is pure and still is the universal ideal.

 

 

 

 

 

Lao Tzu

from the Tao Te Ching
translation by j.h.mcdonald

.photo by Rodney Campbell