二十章
唯之与阿，相去几何？
美之与恶，相去若何？
人之所畏，不可不畏。
荒兮，其未央哉！
众人熙熙，如享太牢，如春登台。
我独泊兮，其未兆；
沌沌兮，如婴儿之未孩；
儡儡兮，若无所归。
众人皆有馀，而我独若遗。
我愚人之心也哉，沌沌兮！
俗人昭昭，我独昏昏。
俗人察察，我独闷闷。
淡兮，其若海，望兮，若无止。
众人皆有以，而我独顽似鄙。
我独异于人，而贵食母。
Banish learning, and vexations end.
Between ‘Ah!’ and ‘Ough!’
How much difference is there?
Between ‘good’ and ‘evil’
How much difference is there?’
That which men fear
Is indeed to be feared;
But, alas, distant yet is the dawn (of awakening)!
The people of the world are merry-making,
As if partaking of the sacrificial feasts,
As if mounting the terrace in spring;
I alone am mild, like one unemployed,
Like a new-born babe that cannot yet smile,
Unattached, like one without a home.
The people of the world have enough and to spare,
But I am like one left out,
My heart must be that of a fool,
Being muddled, nebulous!
The vulgar are knowing, luminous;
I alone am dull, confused.
The vulgar are clever, self-assured;
I alone, depressed.
Patient as the sea,
Adrift, seemingly aimless.
The people of the world all have a purpose;
I alone appear stubborn and uncouth.
I alone differ from the other people,
And value drawing sustenance from the Mother.
