Receptive, but not permanently so.
Respond, like the echo.
Only when called upon.
Be subtle, as though non-existent. Be still, as though pure. Regard uniformity as peace. Look on gain as loss. Do not precede others. Follow them."
Lao Tzŭ said, "He who conscious of being strong, is content to be weak,—he shall be a cynosure of men.
This is quoted by Huai Nan Tzŭ as a saying by Lao Tzŭ, and appears in ch. xxviii of the Tao-Tê-Ching. See The Remains of Lao Tzŭ, p. 21.
"He who conscious of purity, puts up with disgrace,—he shall be the cynosure of mankind.
"He who when others strive to be first, contents himself with the lowest place, is said to accept the contumely of the world.
"He who when others strive for the substantial, contents himself with the unsubstantial, stores up nothing and therefore has abundance. There he is in the midst of his abundance which comes to him without effort on his part. He does nothing, and laughs at the artifices of others.
"He who when others strive for happiness is content with security, is said to aim at avoiding evil.