Tao Te Ching Chapter 15
paulpengThe Original Chinese Text
古之善为士者，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；俨兮其若容；涣兮若冰之将释；敦兮其若朴；旷兮其若谷；混兮其若浊；孰能浊以静之徐清？孰能安以久动之徐生？保此道者，不欲盈。夫唯不盈，故能蔽不新成。
The skilful masters (of the Dao) in old times, with asubtle and exquisite penetration, comprehended its mysteries,and were deep (also) so as to elude men's knowledge. As theywere thus beyond men's knowledge, I will make an effort to describe of what sort they appeared to be. Shrinking looked they like those who wade through a stream in winter;irresolute like those who are afraid of all around them; grave like a guest (in awe of his host); evanescent like ice that ismelting away; unpretentious like wood that has not been fashioned into any thing; vacant like a valley, and dull like muddy water. Who can (make) the muddy water (clear)? Letit be still, and it will gradually become clear. Who can securethe condition of rest? Let movement go on, and the condition of rest will gradually arise.They who preserve this method of the Dao do not wish to be full (of them selves). It is through their not being full of them selves that they can afford to seem worn and not appear new and complete.
【译文】古时候善于行道的人，精微奥妙，深远通达，玄奥而难以了解。正因为难以了解，所以只能勉强地形容他说：迟疑慎重，好像冬天涉江过河；警觉戒备，好像警惕邻国的进攻；恭敬庄重，好像在外做客；散涣无力，好像冰块将要消融；质朴单纯，好像没有经过加工的原料；旷远豁达，好像深幽的山谷；深沉包容，好像众多溪流汇集成的浊水。谁能使浑浊安静下来，慢慢澄清？谁能使安静变动起来，慢慢显出生机？保持这个道的人不会自满。正因为他从不自满，所以能够去故更新。
【Translation】Those who were adept at practicing the Tao in ancient times were subtle and profound, far-reaching and insightful, mysterious and difficult to comprehend. Precisely because they were hard to understand, we can only reluctantly describe them as being hesitant and cautious, just like wading across a river in winter; being alert and on guard, as if wary of an attack from neighboring states; being respectful and solemn, like being a guest in someone else's place; being lax and powerless, like ice on the verge of melting; being simple and unadorned, like raw materials that haven't been processed; being broad-minded and open, like a deep and secluded valley; being profound and tolerant, like the turbid water formed by the convergence of numerous streams. Who can make the turbidness calm down and gradually become clear? Who can make the stillness turn into movement and gradually show vitality? Those who uphold this Tao will not be complacent. It is precisely because they are never complacent that they can discard the old and embrace the new.
