Daodejing Chapter 15: Daoist sages of old

Daoist sages of old were
Subtle and mysterious,
Dark and perceptive,
Too deep to be known.
Since they could not be known,
I will do my best to describe
How they appeared.
Cautious as if crossing a winter stream,
Wary as if fearful of their neighbours,
Dignified like a guest,
Yielding like a melting block of ice,
Simple like an uncarved block of wood,
Open like a valley,
Murky like muddy water.
Able to remain still
As the muddy water
Settles and clears.
Able to stay calm
As the moment of action
Gradually approaches.
Those who follow the Dao
Do not seek fullness.
Because they remain unfilled,
They are hidden and incomplete.

古之善為道者，微妙玄通，深不可識。夫唯不可識，故強為之容。豫兮若冬涉川，猶兮若畏四鄰，儼兮其若客，渙兮若冰之將釋，敦兮其若樸，曠兮其若谷，渾兮其若濁。孰能濁以靜之徐清，孰能安以動之徐生。保此道者不欲盈，夫唯不盈，故能蔽而新成。

What are the qualities that you will develop by following the Dao? Although he claims that he can only attempt to describe these qualities, Laozi paints a vivid portrait of the Daoist sages of old who had absorbed its teachings in Chapter 15 of the Daodejing to provide you with the right example to follow.

The highly evocative metaphors he employs make it easy to picture how people possessing these qualities look like and behave. They are cautious and alert, dignified and practical, honest and simple, open-minded and inscrutable, and patient and unruffled.

As a result, they remain humble and balanced. Like the Dao itself, they are like an empty vessel that never fills up (see Daodejing Chapter 4).

Note
I took this image at Longhu (Dragon Tiger) Mountain, a famous Daoist site about ten miles south of Yingtan in Jiangxi Province. A great place to visit!