Ten

Having both a body and a soul and loving the world,
Can you avoid separation?
Can you, with the simple stature of a child,
breathing nature, become notwithstanding an adult?
Cleansing yourself to be as a clean vessel,
Can you be without stain?
Loving all people and ruling the country,
Can you be without cleverness?
Obtaining the mastery of all that is within your reach,
Can you also be submissive?
Can your learned head take lessons from
The wisdom of your heart?

Giving birth and nourishing,
Bearing and yet not possessing,
Working and yet without credit,
Leading and yet without dominating,
This is the essence of virtue.