Tao Te Ching Chapter 10
paulpengThe Original Chinese Text
载营魄抱一，能无离乎?专气致柔,能婴儿乎?涤除玄览,能无疵乎?爱民治国,能无为乎?天门开阖,能为雌乎?明白四达,能无知乎?生之畜之,生而不有,为而不恃，长而不宰,是谓玄德.
When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating.When one gives undivided attention to the (vital)breath,and brings it to the utmost degree of pliancy, he can become as a (tender)babe. When he has cleansed away the most mysterious sights (of his imagination), he can beceome without a flaw.In loving the people and ruling the state,cannot he proceed without any (purpose of) action? ln the opening and shutting of his gates of heaven, cannot he doso as a female bird? While his intelligence reaches in every direction, cannot he (appear to) be without knowledge?(The Dao) produces (all things) and nourishes them;it produces them and does not claim them as its own; it doesall, and yet does not boast of it; it presides over all,andyet does not control them. This is what is called" The mysterious Quality”(of the Dao).
【译文】精神和身体合一，就能够不再分离吗?聚结精气以致柔顺，就能像婴儿一样精气充沛吗?清除杂念而深入反观内心，就能不再有斑疵吗?爱护人民治理国家,能够顺应自然而不强行干预吗?感官与外界充分接触，就能守静吗?明白事理,通达四方，能不机巧诡辩吗?使万物生存并蓄养他们,虽然使之存在却不去占有，虽然有所作为却不自负，虽然居长却不强行主宰,这就是玄妙的德。
[Translation] When the spirit and the body are united, can they no longer be separated? By gathering the vital essence to achieve gentleness and softness, can one be as full of vital essence as an infant? By eliminating distracting thoughts and deeply introspecting one's inner self, can one be free from blemishes? When loving the people and governing the country, can one follow the way of nature without forceful interference? When the senses are fully in contact with the outside world, can one maintain tranquility? When understanding the principles and being knowledgeable in all directions, can one refrain from being cunning and sophistical? Let all things live and nurture them. Even though one enables them to exist, one does not possess them. Even though one takes actions, one does not feel self-conceited. Even though one is in a position of leadership, one does not forcefully dominate. This is the profound virtue.
