Chapter 27
第二十七章
The skilful traveller leaves no traces of his wheels or footsteps;
善行无辙迹；
the skilful speaker says nothing that can be found fault with or blamed;
善言无瑕谪；
the skilful reckoner uses no tallies;
善数不用筹策；
the skilful closer needs no bolts or bars, while to open what he has shut will be impossible;
善闭，无关楗而不可开；
the skilful binder uses no strings or knots, while to unloose what he has bound will be impossible.
善结，无绳约而不可解。

In the same way the sage is always skilful at saving men, and so he does not cast away any man;
是以圣人常善救人，故无弃人；
he is always skilful at saving things, and so he does not cast away anything.
常善救物，故无弃物，
This is called 'Hiding the light of his procedure.'
是谓袭明。
Therefore the man of skill is a master (to be looked up to) by him who has not the skill;
故善人者，善人之师；
and he who has not the skill is the helper of (the reputation of) him who has the skill.
不善人者，善人之资。
If the one did not honour his master, and the other did not rejoice in his helper, an (observer), though intelligent, might greatly err about them.
不贵其师，不爱其资，虽智大迷。
This is called 'The utmost degree of mystery.'
是谓要妙。