十五章
古之善为道者，微妙玄通，深不可识。
夫唯不可识，故强为之容：
豫兮，若冬涉川；
犹兮，若畏四邻；
俨兮，其若客；
涣兮，其若凌释；
敦兮，其若朴；
旷兮，其若谷；
混兮，其若浊。
孰能浊以止？静之徐清。
孰能安以久？动之徐生。
保此道者，不欲盈。
夫唯不盈，故能蔽而新成。
The wise ones of old had subtle wisdom and depth of understanding,
So profound that they could not be understood.
And because they could not be understood,
Perforce must they be so described:
Cautious, like crossing a wintry stream,
Irresolute, like one fearing danger all around,
Grave, like one acting as guest,
Self-effacing, like ice beginning to melt,
Genuine, like a piece of undressed wood,
Open-minded, like a valley,
And mixing freely, like murky water.
Who can find repose in a muddy world?
By lying still, it becomes clear.
Who can maintain his calm for long?
By activity, it comes back to life.
He who embraces this Tao
Guards against being over-full.
Because he guards against being over-full,
He is beyond wearing out and renewal.
