道廿三 - Tao Chapter 23

曲则金 枉则定 洼则盈 敝则新 少则得 多则惑

是以圣人执一 以为天下牧

不自视故章 不自见故明 不自伐故有功 不自矜故能长

夫唯不争 故莫能与之争

古之所谓曲金者 几语才

诚金归之

接受持续的弯折锻打，才能凸显出不失自我的品性；经历了不公正的对待，才能凸显出正定安在的气度；遇到低凹的地方，才能感受到其中水面逐渐积累丰盈的样子；感觉到事物的陈旧落后，才能针对性的创新；感觉到有欠缺，才能有意识的去补充；反倒是拥有的多了，反而会引起困惑。所以通达事理的人凭借这个基础逻辑就可以治理天下。 不臭美，自然气质温润华美；不固执己见，兼听则明，自然清楚方方面面；不以为自己有多大能力，适当引导周边人事，自然获得成就；清晰自己的定位，不夸大自己的能力，不硬撑，自然长久的维持自身的状态。 因为了解自身的能力，可以做差异化定位，不会跟周边人事争夺资源，所以也没有什么人可以和自己争夺的。 古人描述金属“百炼不轻”，说的也是成材的秉性。这是实实在在的价值所在。 久埋不生衣，百炼不轻。此二句言黄金之德。

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It is through continuous twists and turns that one can develop a sense of self without losing it; experiencing injustice allows one to maintain a dignified bearing; encountering difficult times allows one to appreciate the gradual accumulation of prosperity; recognizing the outdated and backward allows one to innovate in a targeted way; feeling a sense of deficiency allows one to consciously supplement it; having too much, on the other hand, leads to confusion. Therefore, those who understand the principles of things can govern the world by relying on this basic logic.

Being unassuming allows one to naturally exude a warm and beautiful demeanor; not being stubborn allows one to be open-minded and clear-sighted; not thinking oneself as having great abilities, but properly guiding those around one, naturally leads to achieving success; clearly understanding one's own position, not exaggerating one's abilities, and not trying to maintain a facade leads to a naturally sustained state.

By understanding one's own abilities, one can differentiate oneself and not compete with others for resources, and thus there is no one to compete with.

As the ancients described, a metal goes through hundreds of refinements without losing its innate properties, this is where true value lies.