Stanza 22 of the Tao Te Ching reveals one of Taoism's central and paradoxical truths: strength lies in yielding, success lies in humility, and genuine influence arises through non-contention. Laozi shows us that those who do not seek to stand out become truly distinguished; those who do not try to win cannot be defeated.
This stanza celebrates Wu Wei (non-striving), modesty, and inner alignment with the Tao, offering both practical wisdom for life and a subtle guide to self-realization.
The Paradox of Wholeness Through Yielding
"Be tactful, and you remain whole; bend, and you remain straight. The hollow is filled, the old is renewed."
This opening invokes a Taoist paradox: what appears weak is actually strong, what seems low is truly high.
"Be tactful, and you remain whole": To be tactful or yielding (Qu 曲) means not resisting. Like bamboo, you bend with the wind and do not break.
"Bend and you remain straight": If you're willing to give way, you return to your true alignment. The rigid may snap, but the flexible endures.
"The hollow is filled": Emptiness allows for receptivity and growth, just as a bowl is useful because it is empty.
The old is renewed": In Taoism, life is cyclical. What decays is reborn, and what falls returns.
The one who yields is not weak; they are in tune with the flow of nature and, therefore, unbreakable.
The Dangers of Excess and the Wisdom of Moderation
"Economy is gain; excess is confusion."
This echoes earlier stanzas: simplicity and sufficiency lead to clarity.
Economy (Sun 损) means knowing when to stop and to use only what is needed.
Excess (Duo 多) brings confusion, disorder, and eventually collapse.
When we take too much, speak too much, and want too much, we lose touch with the Tao and ourselves. In Taoism, less is not deprivation; it's liberation.
The Sage as a Model for the World
"Therefore, sages embrace unity as a model for the world."
Here, Laozi reveals the sacred posture of the sage:
They embody oneness (Yi 一), not fragmentation, not egoic identity, but unity with the Tao.
By becoming whole within, they become a living example for others.
The sage becomes a mirror of the Tao, a still, clear center from which others can remember their own nature.
The Power of Non-Assertion
"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."
This is one of the most beautiful and practical teachings in the entire Tao Te Ching. Let's break it down:
"Not seeing themselves" means they don't constantly reference their own identity or importance. This gives them clarity; they see the world as it is, not through the lens of ego.
"Not asserting themselves" means they don't push or demand attention, and so they shine naturally, without effort.
"Not congratulating themselves" means they don't dwell on their success, so their merit is enduring, not performative.
"Not taking pride in themselves" means they are resilient, adaptable, and long-lasting without vanity or clinging to status.
Just like clouds do not try to be majestic or rivers do not try to be wise, the sages are great because they do not try to be great.
The Strength of Non-Contention
"It is just because they do not contend that no one in the world can contend with them."
This is pure Taoist genius: The sage never enters into struggle and so cannot be defeated. They win by not fighting, lead by not commanding, and succeed by not competing.
Contention creates resistance. Non-contention creates space.
In Wu Wei, action flows without resistance. Therefore, the sage never needs to overpower anyone, and no one can overpower them.
More Than Mere Philosophy
"Is it empty talk, the old saying that tact keeps you whole? When truthfulness is complete, it still resorts to this."
Laozi anticipates skepticism. Is this just idealism or clever wordplay? No, he insists: Even the most complete truth must return to this principle. When truthfulness is full, when your being is fully aligned with the Tao, you will still find that yielding is the way to wholeness. It is not a metaphor; it's a natural law. Just as water nourishes by flowing around obstacles, those who do not resist become the most whole, enduring, and alive.
Practical Application
Be Flexible, Not Rigid
- Yield in conversation.
- Be willing to adapt to plans and goals.
- Trust that softness survives where hardness breaks.
Practice Modesty
- Don't draw attention to your virtue or skill.
- Let your presence speak louder than your promotion.
Avoid Contention
- Let go of the need to win every debate.
- Choose peace over pride. Let others be "right."
Stay Empty Enough to Be Filled
- Leave space in your mind, your schedule, your heart.
- Don't overfill your life; emptiness allows for replenishment.
Return to Unity
- Embrace your inner wholeness instead of identifying with roles or labels.
- Living from that center, you naturally become a model for harmony.
Stanza 22 is a quiet revelation: The strongest people are those who do not need to prove themselves. The most enduring structures are those that bend with the wind. The greatest sages are those who serve invisibly, humbly, and without pride.
In the Taoist way, success is not worn, it emerges naturally from alignment, humility, and non-resistance. Be like water: bend, flow, receive, nourish, and return. In this way, you remain whole, clear, and free.