Mean, and yet demanding to be allowed

Their free course -- such are all things

Of the mundane world. Low, and yet

Requiring to be relied on -- such are

The people on all states and continents.

Hidden as to their issues, and yet requiring

To be done timely -- such are all businesses.

Coarse, and yet necessary to be set forth --

Such are regulations, norms, rules and laws.

Remote, and yet necessary to have dwelling

In one's self -- such is what we call 'righteousness.'

Near, and yet necessary to be widely extended --

Such is the lot of what is known as 'benevolence.'

Restrictive, and yet necessary to be multiplied --

Such are the ceremonies, rites and rituals.

Lodged in the centre, and yet requiring exaltation --

Such are the merits and attainments. Always as One,

And yet requiring to be modified -- such are the ways

Of what is considered as 'Dao' or Man's fate.

Spirit-like, and yet requiring to be regularly exercised --

Such is Heaven's will, so compulsory but subtle indeed.

Therefore, the sagely minded men contemplate Heaven,

But do not assist its way. They try to perfect their merits,

But do not allow their attainments to embarrass them.

They proceed according to the ways of Dao,

But do not lay any plans. They associate benevolence

With all their virtues, but do not dwell on them.

They pursue righteousness extensively, but do not try

To accumulate it as a reserve. They respond to rites

And ceremonies, but do not consider their opinions

As the troubleshooting. They engage in businesses

As they occur and do not decline them. They strive

To render their regulations and law uniforms,

But fear that confusion may arise from them.

They rely upon the people and do not set light by them.

They depend on things as their instruments

And do not discard them. They do not think things equal

To what they employ them for, but yet they do not see

That they could do what they do without employing them.