English-Chinese translation of Lao Zi Tao Te Ching 老子道德经。
Original Author: Lao Zi 老子。
Original text base from: 道德经 by 海潮出版社, book.
My meaning base from: 道德经 by 海潮出版社, book.
<Please note Holy Bible should be your only main Scripture. Below scriptures & other important books should be for additional knowledges only. They are for Christians who want to know what other religions scriptures & books are about. After reading, it is still advisable to read Holy Bible every night. This is because planet earth ultimately will belong to Jesus Christ. Therefore Christianity is the only correct path.>
道可道，非常道。
Tao (way) that can be said, is not common Tao (way).
名可名，非常名。
Name that can be named, is not common Name.
无，名天地之始。
Nothing, is named Heaven & Earth beginning.
有，名万物之母。
Have, is named all things Mother.
故常无，欲以观其妙。
Therefore always nothing, to desire to see its wonders.
常有，欲以观其徼。
Always have, to desire to see the Point.
此两者同出而异名，同谓之玄，玄之又玄，众妙之门。
These two common out & different names, both wonder, wonder & wonder, door of all wonders.
天下皆知美之为美，斯恶已。
Under Heaven all know beauty is beauty, appear ugly concept.
皆知善之为善，斯不善矣。
All know good is good, appear not good concept.
故有无相生，难易相成，长短相形，高下相倾，音声相和，前后相随。
Therefore have & do not have make each other, difficult & easy make each other, long & short make each other, sounds interact each other, front & back follow each other.
是以圣人处无为之事，行不言之教。
Therefore for Sage do no desire things, do no talk actions.
万物作而不辞，生而不有，为而不恃，功成而弗居，夫唯弗居，是以不去。
All things do & not interfere, born & do not have, become & do not take, merits become & do not take, you only take, is do not do.
不尚贤，使民不争。
Not stress good persons, make people not compete.
不贵难得之货，使民不为盗。
Not treasure hard to get goods, make people not steal.
不见可欲，使民心不乱。
Not see desire, make people not confused.
是以圣人之治，虚其心，实其腹，弱其志，强其骨；常使民无知无欲；使夫智者不敢为也，为无为，则无不治。
Therefore for Sage's Government, empty the heart, full the stomach, weak the determination, strong the bones; always make people no know & no desire, make people who are wise not do, become no become, then nothing cannot be governed.
道冲，而用之或不盈，渊兮似万物之宗。
Tao (way) flows, can use or not finish, deep valley like all things source.
拙其锐，解其纷，和其光，同其尘。
Blunt its sharpness, solve its dispute, harmony its light, same its dusts.
湛兮似或存。
Clear like exists.
吾不知谁之子，象帝之先。
I do not know whose child, before material God.
天地不仁，以万物为刍狗，圣人不仁，以百姓为刍狗。
Heaven & Earth not Ren (humanity), use everythings as straw dogs, Sage not Ren (humanity), use people as straw dogs.
天地之间，其犹橐乎，虚而不屈，动而愈出。
Inside Heaven & Earth, is like a wind box, empty & not bowing, more move & more things out.
多言数穷，不如守中。
Many words more confusion, why not keep centre.
谷神不死，是谓玄牝。
Valley god not dead, is known as Wonder Mother.
玄牝之门，是谓天地根。
Wonder Mother Door, is known as Heaven & Earth Root.
绵绵若存，用之不勤。
Continuously like exist, use no stop.
天长地久，天地所以能长且久者，以其不自生，故能长生。
Heaven long & Earth long, Heaven & Earth why can long & long, is because it doesn't exist for itself, therefore able long exist.
是以圣人后其身而身先，外其身而身存。
Therefore Sage body last become body first, outside the body & body exist.
以其无私，故能成其私。
For no purpose, therefore able to purpose.
上善若水。
Upper good is like water.
水善利万物而不争，处众人之所恶，故几于道。
Water give good useful to everything & do not compete, in places where everyone hate, therefore very near Tao.
居善地，心善渊，与善仁，言善信，正善治，事善能，动善时。
Rest good places, heart good deep, with good Ren (humanity), say good trust, correct good govern, task good capability, move good time.
夫唯不争，故无尤。
Person only not compete, therefore no mistake.
持而盈之，不如其己。
Keep & overflow, might as well stop.
揣而棁之，不可长保。
Expose & sharpen, cannot long keep.
金玉满堂，莫之能守。
Good & jade room full, difficult to secure.
富贵而骄，自遗其咎。
Riches & become proud, self leave with his disasters.
功遂身退天之道。
Merits formed body withdraw is Heaven Tao (way).
载营魄抱一，能无离乎？
Ride use soul become one, can be not leave?
专气致柔，能婴儿乎？
Concentrate Qi to gentle, can be like baby?
涤除玄览，能无疵乎？
Clean & get rid wonder gathering, can be no black spot?
爱民治国，能无为乎？
Love people & govern country, can no action?
开门开阖，能为雌乎？
Heaven door open & shut, can be second female?
明白四达，能无知乎？
Understand four reach, can be no know?
生之畜之，生而不有，为而不恃，长而不宰，是谓玄德。
Born & rear, born & do not own, for & do not take, grow & do not govern, is known as wonder virtues.
三十辐共一毂，当其无有车之用。
30 sticks share one axle, is because inside no car use.
埏埴以为器，当其无有器之用。
Clay made as cups, is because inside no cup use.
凿户牖以为室，当其无有室之用。
Build house window as room, is because inside no room use.
故有之以为利，无之以为用。
Therefore have become useful, nothing become use.
五色令人目盲。
Five colours make people eyes blind.
五音令人耳聋。
Five sounds make people ears deaf.
五味令人口爽。
Five tastes make people mouths tasteless.
驰骋畋猎令人心发狂。
Ride horse run hunting make people hearts crazy.
难得之货令人行妨。
Hard to get good make people do bad things.
是以圣人为腹不为目。
For Sage do things for stomach not for eyes.
故去彼取此。
Therefore give up wrong take up right.
宠辱若惊，贵大患若身。
Praise & insult like surprise, treasure big disaster like body.
何谓宠辱若惊？
What is praise & insult like surprise.
宠为下，得之若惊，失之若惊，是谓宠辱若惊。
Praise is considered lower, get like surprise, lose like surprise, is considered praise & insult like surprise.
何谓贵大患若身？
What is treasure big disaster because have body?
吾所以有大患者，为吾有身。
You because get big disaster, is because have body.
及吾无身，吾有何患？
If you have no body, you have what disaster?
故贵以身为天下，若可寄天下；爱以身为天下，若可托天下。
Therefore treasure body for under Heaven, then can give under Heaven to him; love body for under Heaven, then can trust him for under Heaven.
视之不见名曰夷，听之不闻名曰希，搏之不得名曰微。
See cannot be seen is named unseeable, hear cannot be heard is named unhearable, touch cannot touched is named untouchable.
此三者不可致诘，故混而为一。
These three things cannot be differentiated, therefore mixed as one.
其上不[缴*]，其下不昧，绳绳不可名，复归于无物。
Its up not bright, its down not dim, continuously cannot be named, repeatedly assigned as nothing.
是谓无状之状，无物之象，是谓惚恍。
It is considered no shape shape, nothing form, is considered appearing & non-appearing.
迎之不见其首，随之不见其后。
Face it cannot see its head, follow it cannot see its back.
执古之道，以御今之有，以知古始。
Follow ancient Tao (way), to protect present have, to know ancient beginning.
是谓道纪。
This is Tao (way) Laws.
古之善为士者，微妙玄通，深不可识。
Ancient good at Tao (way) as Cultivator, mysterious wonder know, deep cannot be known.
夫唯不可识，故强为之容：豫兮若冬涉川。
Cultivator only cannot be known, therefore enough to describe: like winter walking on ice.
犹兮若畏四邻。
Like afraid attacking from four sides.
俨兮其若客。
Strict like guests.
涣兮若冰之释。
Separate like ice separating.
敦兮其若朴。
Sincere like pure old.
旷兮其若谷。
Broad like valley.
混兮其若浊。
Dirty like dirty water.
孰能浊以静之徐清？
Can you dirty water quiet down to become clear?
孰能安以久动之徐生？
Can you quiet state of long movements to grow appear?
保此道者不欲盈，夫唯不盈，故能蔽不新成。
Protect this Tao (way) Person do not over, Cultivator only do not over, therefore can under but no new become.
致虚极，守静笃。
Towards emptiness extreme, guard quiet loyalty.
万物并作，吾以观复。
All things influence do, I just observe repeatness.
夫物芸芸，各归其根。
All things many many, all return to root.
归根曰静。
Return root is known as quiet.
是谓复命。
Is known as return obey fate.
复命曰常。
Return obey fate is known as normal.
知常曰明。
Know normal is known as wise.
不知常，妄作，凶。
Not know normal, anyhow do, bad.
知常容，容乃公，公乃王，王乃天，天乃道，道乃久，没身不殆。
Know normal forgiving, forgiving is justice, justice is emperorship, emperorship is Heaven, Heaven is Tao (way), Tao (way) is long time, no body no danger.
太上，下知有之。
Best Ruler, below population know exists.
其次亲而誉之。
Next is people praise him.
其次畏之。
Next is people afraid of him.
其次侮之。
Next is people insult him.
信不足焉，有不信焉。
Trustworthiness not enough, people then do not trust him.
悠兮其贵言，功成事遂，百姓皆谓我自然。
When Ruler makes few orders, merits done & tasks withdraw, the people all say I am normally get things done.
大道废，有仁义。
Big Tao (way) no more exists, have ren (humanity) & righteousness.
智慧出，有大伪。
The wisdom out, have big fake.
六亲不和，有孝慈。
Six relatives not harmonize, have filial piety & compassion.
国家昏乱，有忠臣。
The country dark & confused, have loyal officials.
绝圣弃智，民利百倍。
Cut-off sageness & abandon wisdom, the people benefits hundred times.
绝仁弃义，民复孝慈。
Cut-off Ren (humanity) & abandon Righteousness, the people recovers filial piety & compassion.
绝巧弃利，盗贼无有。
Cut-off craftiness & abandon benefits, thieves no more.
此三者以为文不足。
These three things afraid texts not enough.
故令有所属。
Therefore have explanations.
见素抱朴，少私寡欲，绝学无忧。
See things & hug plainness, few self & few desires, cut-off learning then no worries.
唯之与阿，相去几何？
Both quarrelling, difference how much?
善之与恶，相去何若？
Good & bad, difference how far?
人之所畏，不可不畏。
Everyone scares of him, cannot not scare.
荒兮其未央。
Nothing exists without centre.
众人熙熙，如享太牢，如春登台；我独泊兮其未兆，如婴儿之未孩。
Everyone wants fun, like going to party, like going to stage, only me don't want fun, like baby not yet child.
[儡*][儡*}兮若无所归。
No showing like not returning.
众人皆有余，而我独若遗。
Everyone all have excess, only me have little.
我愚人之心也哉，沌沌兮。
I stupid person of heart, empty empty.
众人昭昭，我独昏昏。
Everyone all bright expressed, only me dim dim.
众人察察，我独闷闷。
Everyone observing, only me lonely know.
澹兮其若海，兮若无止。
Deep like ocean, not ending.
众人皆有似，而我独劲似鄙。
Everyone doing something, only me not doing anything.
我独异于人，而贵食母。
I want to be different from others, & treasure on eating mother (source).
孔德之容，惟道是从。
Confucius virtues appearance, only Tao to follow.
道之为物，惟恍惟惚。
Tao this thing, like have like have-not.
惚兮恍兮，其中有象。
Like have like have-not, inside have shapes.
恍兮惚兮，其中有物。
Like have like have-not, inside have things.
窈兮冥兮，其中有精。
Very far & very dark, inside have energies.
其精甚真，其中有信。
Its existence is real, inside have trustworthiness.
自今及古，其名不去，以阅众甫。
From today to ancient, its name not gone, to born everything knowledges.
吾何以知众甫之然哉？
How you know all everything knowledges become?
以此。
From this Tao (way).
曲则全，枉则直，洼则盈，敝则新，少则得，多则惑。
Tree bent then complete (no one axe), been blamed then become upright, low level then become full, old age then become new, few then get, many then confused.
圣人抱一为天下式。
Sage embrace one for under Heaven formula.
不自见，故明；不自是，故彰；不自伐，故有功；不自矜，故长。
No self opinion, therefore intelligent; no thinking is, therefore well respected; no self praise, therefore have merits; no big proud, therefore long exists.
夫唯不争，故天下莫能与之争。
I only no compete, therefore under Heaven no one can compete with me.
古之所谓曲则全者，岂虚言哉，诚全而归之，希言自然。
Ancient what is tree bent then complete (no one axe down) person, how can be false, sincere go & get thorough, can only say natural.
飘风不终朝，暴雨不终日。
Thunder winds no whole morning, thunder storms no whole day.
孰为此者？
Who create these?
天地。
Heaven & Earth.
天地尚不能久，而况于人乎？
Heaven & Earth cannot do long, what difference for humans?
故从事于道者同于道，德者同于德，失者同于失。
Therefore make things according Tao (way) person is with Tao (way), make things according virtues person is with virtues, lose things person is with losing.
同于道者，道亦乐得之。
Same with Tao (way) person, Tao (way) is happy to have him.
同于德者，德亦乐得之。
Same with virtues person, virtues are happy to have him.
同于失者，失亦乐得之。
Same with losing person, losing is happy to have him.
企者不立。
Tiptoe person cannot stand.
蹲者不行。
Squatting person cannot walk.
自见者不明。
See self person not intelligent.
自是者不彰。
Self opinioned person cannot differentiate.
自伐者无功。
Self telling person no credits.
自矜者不长。
Self proud person no long exists.
其在道也，曰：“余食赘形，物或恶之。”
From Tao (way) view, says: "excess food excessive figures, these things people hate."
故有道者不处。
Therefore have Tao (way) persons do not do them.
有物混成，先天地生。
Have something confused become, before Heaven & Earth born.
寂兮廖兮，独立而不改，周行而不殆，可以为天地母。
Quiet & formless, alone establish & no change, moving non-stop, can be known as Heaven & Earth's mother.
吾不知其名，字之曰道，强为之名曰大，大曰逝，逝曰远，远曰反。
I do not know its name, word named Tao (way), strongly known as big, it is big become flowing, it is flowing become far, it is far become return to source.
故道大，天大，地大，人亦大。
Therefore Tao (way) is big, Heaven is big, Earth is big, humans are big.
城中有四大，而人居其一焉。
Universe has four big, and humans are one of the big.
人法地，地法天，天法道，道法自然。
Humans follow Earth, Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows Tao (way), Tao (way) follow natural.
重为轻根，静为躁君。
Heavy is light controller, quiet is hasty controller.
是以圣人终日行不离辎重，虽有荣观，燕处超然。
Therefore Sage whole day actions not away heavy weight, although have pleasant environments, heart away from these things.
奈何万乘之主，而以身轻天下？
Why have big country emperor, look lightly on self to look after under Heaven.
轻则失根，躁则失君。
Light then lose root, hazy then lose control.
善行无辙迹；善言无瑕谪；善数不用筹策；善闭无关楗而不可开；善结无绳约而不可解。
Good at actions leave no trace; good at words leave no flaw; good at calculations leave no power chip; good at closure no key cannot open; good at tying knot without rope cannot open.
是以圣人常善救人，故无弃人；常善救物，故无弃物。
Therefore Sage always good at save people, therefore no abandoned people; always good at save things, therefore no abandoned things.
是谓袭明。
This is known as normally wisdom.
故善人者不善人之师，不善人者善人之资。
Therefore good people are no good people teacher, no good people are good people materials.
不贵其师，不爱其资，虽智大迷，是谓要妙。
Not treasure his teacher, not love his materials, although wise but is big lost, this is known as correct wonder knowledge.
知其雄，守其雌，为天下[溪*]。
Know your maleness, keep your femaleness, to become under Heaven rivers.
为天下[溪*]，常德不离，复归于婴儿。
To become under Heaven rivers, always virtues do not leave, return state to baby.
知其白，守其黑，为天下式。
Know your whiteness, keep your blackness, to become under Heaven example.
为天下式，常德不忒，复归于无极。
To become under Heaven example, always virtues do not mistake, return state to Universe first state.
知其荣，守其辱，为天下谷。
Know your glory, keep your shame, to become under Heaven below valley.
为天下谷，常德乃足，复归于朴。
To become under Heaven below valley, always virtues enough, return to pure real.
朴散则为器，圣人用之，则为官长。
Pure real become equipments, Sage uses, then become leaders.
故大制不割。
Therefore big system do not sub-divide.
将欲取天下而为之，吾见其不得已。
Want get under Heaven & do, I see you cannot.
天下神器，不可为也，不可执也。
Under Heaven is God's vessel, cannot do with, cannot make with.
为者败之；执者失之。
Do with will defeat; make with will lose.
物或行或随，或[虚*]或吹，或强或嬴，或载或隳。
Things to move or to follow, to warm or to cold, the strong or the weak, to create or to destroy.
是以圣人去甚，去奢，去泰。
Therefore the Sage do not extreme, do not luxury, do not over.
以道佐人主者，不以兵强于天下。
Use Tao (way) to assist emperor person, do not use military on under Heaven.
其事好还。
Use military fast karma return.
师之所处，荆棘生焉。
Military where go, weeds grow on farmlands.
大军之后，必有凶年。
After big military, definitely have bad years.
善者果而已，不敢以取强。
Good at military use optimum only, not dare to be strongest.
果而勿矜，果而勿伐，果而勿骄，果而不得已，果而勿强。
Should not be boastful, should not be over-confident, should not proud, should not think always win, should not want to think self strong.
物壮则老，是谓不道，不道早已。
Things grow to strong will grow weak old, is known as no tao (way), no tao (way) early die.
兵者，不祥之器，非君子之器。
Military, unlucky equipment, not Gentleman's equipment.
不得已而用之，恰淡为上。
No choice then use, lightly as possible.
胜而不美，而美之乐者是乐杀人。
Win not beautiful, if think beautiful & happy is happy at killing people.
夫乐杀人者，则不可以得志于天下矣。
Person who loves killing people, will not get ambition on under Heaven.
夫佳兵者，不祥之器，物或恶之，故有道者不处。
You should treat military, as unlucky equipment, hate them, therefore have Tao (way) persons do not use.
君子居则贵左，用兵则贵右。
Gentleman stay left as valuable, use military for right as valuable.
吉事尚左，凶事尚右；偏将军居左，上将军居右，言以丧礼处也；杀人之众，以哀悲莅之；战胜，以丧礼处之。
Lucky things use left, unlucky things use right; assistant army general sits left, main army general sits right, say use funeral rites as are; all people killed, use sadness for them; win victory, use funeral rites to settle.
道常无名、朴；虽小，天下莫不臣。
Tao (way) always no name, pure real; although small, under Heaven all submit.
侯王若能守之，万物将自并宾。
If Emperor can keep it, all things will come & submit.
天地相合，以降甘露，民莫之令而自均。
Heaven & Earth come together, to drop rains, the people do not order it but it comes along.
始制有名。
Beginning things have names.
名亦既有，夫亦将知之，知止可以不殆。
Names have already, you ought to know where to stop, know stop then have no danger.
譬道之在天下，犹川谷之于江海。
Just like Tao (way) under Heaven, like rivers inside valleys going into the seas.
知人者智，自知者明，胜人者有力，自胜者强。
Know people person is wisdom, self know person is intelligent, win people person has strength, self win person is strong.
知足者富。
Contented person is richness.
强行者有志。
Exert to do person has ambitions.
不失其所者久。
No lose what is person will long time.
死而不亡者寿。
Die & not dead person is long life.
大道汜兮，其可左右。
Big Tao (way) very wide, can left & can right.
物恃之而生而不辞，功成不名有，衣养万物而不为主。
Things depend & born & it does not manage, merits formed & no name have, shirt rear everythings & not called God.
常无欲，可名于小。
Always no desire, can named small.
万物归焉而不为主，可名为大。
Everything goes to it & it does not govern, can named big.
以其终不自为大，故能成其大。
It finally do not called itself big, therefore can become big.
执大象，天下注。
Do Tao (way) Appearances things, under Heaven all count on him.
注而不害，安平太。
Count on him & do not harm him, make peace on world.
乐与饵，过客止。
Good music & good foods, can make guests stop their steps.
道之出口，淡乎其无味。
Tao (way) comes out, is tasteless.
视之不足见，听之不足闻，用之不足既。
See & cannot see enough, hear & cannot hear enough, use & cannot use finished.
将欲翕之，必固张之。
Want to open it, definitely need to expand it.
将欲弱之，必固强之。
Want to weaken it, definitely need to strengthen it.
将欲废之，必固与之。
Want to abolish it, definitely need to recommend it.
将欲夺之，必固予之。
Want to get it, definitely need to give to it.
是谓微明。
This is difficult to understand concepts.
柔弱胜刚强。
Weak wins over strong.
鱼不可脱于渊，国之利器不可以示人。
Fishes cannot leave deep waters, country lethal weapons cannot show people.
道常无为而无不为。
Tao (way) always no purpose & it can all purposes.
侯王若能守之，万物将自化。
If Emperors able to guard it, everything automatically evolve change.
化而欲作，吾将镇之以无名之朴，镇之以无名之朴，夫亦将无欲。
If evolve change according desire, I will press using no name real pure, press using no name real pure, then you will become no desire.
天下将自定。
Under Heaven will self fixed.
上德不德，是以有德。
Upper virtues no virtue, is therefore have virtues.
下德不失德，是以无德。
Lower virtues do not lose virtues, is therefore no virtue.
上德无为而无以为。
Upper virtues no purpose & therefore no with purpose.
下德为之而有以为。
Lower virtues have purpose & therefore have with purpose.
上仁为之而无以为。
Upper Ren (humanity) do with & therefore no with purpose.
上义为之而无以为。
Upper Righteousness do with & therefore no with purpose.
上礼为之而莫之应。
Upper Rites do with & do not get response.
则攘臂而扔之。
Then to give elbow for people to walk.
故失道而后德。
Therefore lose Tao (way) then after get virtues.
失德而后仁，失仁而后义，失义而后礼。
Lose virtues then after get Ren (humanity), lose Ren (humanity) then after get Righteousness, lose Righteousness then after get Rites.
夫礼者，忠信之薄，而乱之首。
People rites, loyalty & trustworthiness thin, & head of confusion.
前识者，道之华，而愚之始。
Before knowing people, Tao (way) acting, & beginning of stupidity.
是以大丈夫处其厚而不居其薄。
Therefore big Gentleman stress on important areas & not on less important areas.
处其实而不居其华。
Stress on real areas & not on acting.
故去彼取此。
Therefore away that & take this.
昔之得一者；天得一以清，地得一以宁，神得一以灵，谷得一以盈，万物得一以生，侯王得一以为天下贞。
Since old time get one person; Heaven get one become clear, Earth get one become quiet, gods get one become spiritual, valley get one become overflow; every things get one become alive, Emperors get one & under Heaven follow.
其致之，天无以清将恐裂，地无以宁将恐发，神无以灵将歇，谷无以盈将恐竭，万物无以生将恐灭，侯王无以贞将恐蹶。
Following this, Heaven no clear will separate, Earth no quiet will rupture, gods no spiritual will rest, valley no overflow will dry, every things no alive will die, emperors no follow will go down.
贵以贱为本，高以下为基。
Valuable use valueless as base, high use low as base.
是以侯王自谓孤寡不榖，此其以贱为本邪？
It is Emperors self declared alone no status, is this say valueless as base?
非乎？
Isn't it so?
故致数舆无舆。
Therefore get too much glory become no glory.
不欲[禄*][禄*]如玉，珞珞如石。
No desire to be valuable like jade, but to valueless like rock.
反者，道之动。
In process, Tao (way) in movements.
弱者，道之用。
Being weak, Tao (way) uses.
天下万物生于有，有生于无。
Under Heaven everything born from have, have is born from don't have.
上士闻道，而勤行之；中士闻道，若存若亡；下士闻道，大笑之。
Upper Person hear Tao (way), hardworkingly cultivate it; middle person hears Tao (way), treats exist & not exist; lower person hears Tao (way), big laugh with.
不笑，不足以为道。
Not laugh, not enough to be Tao (way).
故《建言》有之：“明道若昧”，进道若退，夷道若[频*]。
Therefore Book Jian Yan has: "understand Tao (way) like ignorant", advance Tao (way) like withdraw, flat Tao (way) like many obstacles.
上德若谷；大白若辱；广德若不足；建德若偷；质真若渝；大方无隅；大器晚成；大音希声；大象无形；道隐无名。
Upper virtues like valley; big white pure like having insults; broad virtues like not enough; build virtues like secretly stealing; nature real like contaminated; big space no corner; big capability vessel late become; loud sound like no sound; big appearance like no appearance; Tao (way) hidden no name.
夫唯道善贷且善成。
I said only Tao (way) good give & good accomplish.
道生一，一生二，二生三，三生万物。
Tao (way) born one, one born two, two born three, three born everything.
万物负阴而抱阳，冲气以为和。
Everything abandon Yin & go to Yang, run Qi (energy) as if harmony.
人之所恶，唯孤寡不榖，而王公以自称。
What people hate, like alone & not good, but Emperors call themselves.
故物或损之而益，或益之而损。
Therefore things have damage then benefit, or to benefit but need damage.
人之所教，我亦教之。
What others teach, I teach with.
强梁者不得其死，吾将以为教父。
Do extreme things do not get good death, I use this as teachings father beginning.
天下之至柔，驰骋天下之至坚。
Under Heaven of the softest thing, can drive into under Heaven toughest things.
无有入无间。
Nothing can enter no space.
吾是以知无为之有益。
I use know no purpose action has benefits.
不言之教，无为之益，天下希及之。
No speech teachings, have all the benefits, under Heaven few have reached it.
名与身孰亲？
Name reputation & body life which is more close valuable?
身与货孰多？
Body life & good money which is more many valuable?
得与亡孰病？
Get reputation or die getting which is more sick worse?
甚爱必大费，多藏必厚亡。
Many love (treasure) definitely waste many energies, many hide (treasure) definitely heavy losses.
知足不辱，知至不殆，可以长久。
Know contented no shame, know stop no danger, can long time.
大成若缺，其用不蔽。
Big become like lacking, its use non-stop.
大盈若冲，其用不穷。
Big overflow like blowing, its use no finished.
大真若屈，大巧若拙，大辩若讷，大赢若绌。
Big pure like bent, big smart like mistake, big debating like quiet, big win like not enough.
躁胜寒，静胜热，清静，为天下正。
Impatient wins cold, quiet wins warm, clear quiet, is under Heaven's correctness.
天下有道，却走马以粪；天下无道，戎马生于郊。
Under Heaven has Tao (way), walking horse become farmland shits; under Heaven no Tao (way), combat horse born in battle countryside.
罪莫大于可欲；祸莫大于不知足；咎莫大于欲得。
Sin is biggest in indulge; disaster is biggest in know not enough; mistake is biggest in greed.
故知足之足，常足矣。
Therefore know contented of contented, always contented is it.
不出户，知天下；不窥牖，见天道。
No out house, know under Heaven; no peek window, see Heaven Tao (way).
其出弥远，其知弥鲜。
When go out the further, the more you little new.
是以圣人不行而知，不见而名，不为而成。
Therefore a Sage no do & able to know, no see & able to name, no purpose & able to become.
为学日益，为道日损，损之又损，以至于无为。
For learning daily gain knowledge, for Tao (way) daily lose desire, lose desire & lose desire, until become no purpose.
无为而无不为。
No purpose & therefore nothing cannot do.
取天下常以无事，及其有事，不足以取天下。
Take under Heaven must always nothing to do, if have things to do, not enough to take under Heaven.
圣人无常心，以百姓心为心。
Sage no always heart, use the people heart as heart.
善者吾善之，不善者吾亦善之，德善。
Good people I treat good, no good people I treat good also, virtues good.
信者吾信之，不信者吾亦信之，德信。
Trustworthy people I trust, not trustworthy people I trust also, virtues trust.
圣人在天下，歙歙为天下浑其心。
When Sage is governing under Heaven, his heart is under Heaven people heart.
百姓皆注其耳目，圣人皆孩之。
The people all concentrate what they hear & see, Sage makes them like children.
出生入死。
Out born in die.
生之徒，十有三；死之徒，十有三。
Born long life persons, have 30%; die short life persons, have 30%.
人之生，动之死地，亦十有三。
Persons supposed to born long life, move towards death, have 30%.
夫何故？
Ask why that?
以其生生之厚。
Because born too involve on born living.
盖闻善摄生者，陆行不遇兕虎，入军不被甲兵，兕无所投其角，虎无所措其爪，兵无所容其刃。
Have heard those who know how to born live, inside lands move do not meet rhinoceros & tigers, enter army do not get armour soldiers, rhinoceros unable to use their horns, tigers unable to use their claws, soldiers unable to use their knives.
夫何故？
Ask why that?
以其无死地。
Because they don't enter death grounds.
道生之，德畜之，物行之，势成之。
Tao (way) born with, virtues make with, things move with, forces become with.
是以万物莫不尊道而贵德。
Is therefore everything all respect Tao & value virtues.
道之尊，德之贵，夫莫之爵，而常自然。
Tao (way) of respectful, virtues of valuable, no one make them, are just natural.
故道生之，德畜之，长之育之，亭之毒之，盖之覆之。
Therefore Tao (way) born with, virtues make with, grow with guide with, ripe with mature with, cover with protect with.
生而不有，为而不恃，长而不宰，是谓玄德。
Born & do not own, become & do not take, grow & do not govern, is known as wonder virtues.
天下有始，以为天下母。
Under Heaven has beginning, become under Heaven's other.
既得其母，以知其子；既知其子，复守其母，没身不殆。
Since get the mother, & know the son; since know the son, go back guard the mother, no body no danger.
塞其兑，闭其门，终身不勤。
Block the desire cavity, shut the desire door, whole body no movement.
开其兑，济其事，终身不救。
Open the desire cavity, add to the things, whole body cannot save.
见小曰明，守柔曰强。
See small is called bright know, guard the soft is called strong.
用其光，复归其明，无遗身殃，是谓袭常。
Use the intelligent light, go back to the bright intelligent, no leave behind body accidents, is known as normal always.
使我介然有知，行于大道，唯施是畏。
If I only have know, do on big Tao (way), only is do on afraid wrong way.
夫道甚夷，而人好径。
Everyone Tao (way) broad & easy, but people love shortcut wrong.
朝甚除，田甚芜，仓甚虚；服文彩，带利剑，厌饮食，财货有余，是谓盗夸。
Government is bad to remove, farmland is empty, storage is nothing; but clothing beautiful, bring along sharp sword, detest good foods, money & goods take excessive, are known as robber heads.
非道也哉！
This is not Tao (way)!
善建者不拔，善抱者不脱，子孙以祭祀不辍。
Good at build laws trap inside cannot out, good at hug build crowds trap inside cannot out, offsprings of death praying non-stop.
修之于身，其德乃真。
Cultivate on body, its virtues are real.
修之于家，其德乃余。
Cultivate on home, its virtues are excessive.
修之于乡，其德乃长。
Cultivate on neighbourhood, its virtues are growing.
修之于邦，其德乃丰。
Cultivate on country, its virtues are plentiful.
修之于天下，其德乃普。
Cultivate on under Heaven, its virtues are public.
故以身观身，以家观家，以乡观乡，以邦观邦，以天下观天下。
Therefore use body observes body, use home observes home, use neighbourhood observes neighbourhood, use country observes country, use under Heaven observes under Heaven.
吾何以知天下之然哉？
How I know under Heaven is like that?
以此。
Use these.
含德之厚，比于赤子。
Have virtues of heavy, like of baby.
虫毒不螫，猛兽不据，[攒*]鸟不搏。
Poisonous insects won't bite, fierce animals won't hurt, catching birds won't catch.
骨弱筋柔而握固。
Bone weak & muscle tendons soft but grasp tight.
未知牝牡之合而全朘作，精之至也。
Do not know female & male mating but always have erection, sperm cells full.
终日号而嗌不嘎，和之至也。
Whole day crying out & throat not sore, harmony full.
知和曰常，知常曰明，益生曰祥，心使气曰强。
Know harmony is always, know always is bright intelligent, benefit living is lucky, heart use Qi (energy) is strong.
物壮则老，谓之不道，不道早已。
Things fit then become old, is called not Tao (way), not Tao (way) early die.
知者不言。
Know person no talk.
言者不知。
Talk person not know.
塞其兑，闭其门，拙其锐，解其纷，和其光，同其尘，是谓玄同。
Close the desire cavity, shut the desire door, cut down the sharpness, settle the dispute, harmony the light, same the dust, is known as wonder same.
故不可得而疏，不可得而贵，不可得而贱，故为天下贵。
Therefore cannot get desertion, cannot get the high social class, cannot get the low social class, therefore become under Heaven high social class.
以正治国，以奇用兵，以无事取天下。
Use correctness govern country, use weirdness govern army, use nothing to do get under Heaven.
吾何以知其然哉？
How I know what to do?
以此：天下多忌讳，而民弥贫；民多利器，国家滋昏；人多伎巧，奇物滋起；法令滋章，盗贼多有。
Use these: under Heaven more forbidden things, the people become poorer; the people more lethal weapons, country more chaos; people more cunning methods, weird things arise; laws more codes, more robbers & thieves.
故圣人云：“我无为而民自化。
Therefore Sage says: "I no purpose & the people self change.
我好静而民自正。
I love quietness & the people self right.
我无事而民自富。
I nothing to do & the people self rich.
我无欲而民自朴。”
I no desire & the people self real pure."
其政闷闷，其民淳淳；其政察察，其民缺缺。
When government good good, its people pure pure; when government strict strict, its people cunning cunning.
祸兮，福之所倚；福兮，祸之所伏。
Disasters, happiness is beside; happiness, disasters is within.
孰知其极？
Who know its limits?
其无正，正复为奇，善复为妖。
There is no correct or wrong, correct repeat turn weird, good repeat turn evil.
人之迷，其日固久。
People mislead, their days very long.
是以圣人方而不割，廉而不刿，直而不肆，光而不耀。
Therefore Sage correct formula but not hurt, non-corruptible but not knife pierce, upright but not anyhow, bright but not blinding.
治人事天，莫若啬。
Govern people & administer Heaven, must be thrifty.
夫唯啬，是以早服；早服谓之重积德；重积德则无不克；无不克则莫知其极；莫知其极可以有国；有国之母，可以长久。
Gentleman only thrifty, must be early become; early become is known heavy build virtues; heavy build virtues then nothing can overcome; nothing can overcome then do not know limits; do not know limits then can have country; have country governing mother, can long term.
是谓深根固柢、长生久视之道。
This is known as deep root stronghold, long life long see teachings.
治大国若烹小鲜。
Govern big Country like cooking fresh fish.
以道莅天下，其鬼不神。
Use Tao (way) to govern under Heaven, those ghosts do not play gods.
非其鬼不神，其神不伤人。
Not those ghosts do not play gods, is even the gods do not hurt people.
非其神不伤人，圣人亦不伤人。
Not even the gods do not hurt people, Sage also do not hurt people.
夫两不相伤，故德交归焉。
Those two do not hurt each other, therefore virtues give return.
大国者下流，天下之牝，天下之交。
Big Country should be like lower river, like under Heaven gentle female animal, gathering at its junction.
牝常以静胜壮，以静为下。
Female animal always use quiet to win strong, use quiet as humble below.
故大国以下小国，则取小国；小国以下大国，则取大国。
Therefore big Country use humble below towards small Country, to gain small Country; small Country use humble below towards big Country, to gain big Country.
故或下以取，或下而取。
Therefore or use humble below to take support, or use humble below to gain support.
大国不过欲兼畜人，小国不过欲入事人。
Big Country only desire to use small vessel Country, small country only desire to administer big Country.
夫两者各得其所欲，夫者宜为下。
Both each get what they desire, therefore all benefits in using humble below.
道者，万物之奥，善人之宝，不善人之所保。
Tao (way), is all things of top, good people's treasure, not good people's guarantee.
美言可以市尊，美行可以加人。
Good words can make you market treasure, good actions can add good to people.
人之不善，何弃之有？
No good people, where can abandon them?
故立天子，置三公，虽有拱璧以先驷马，不如坐进此道。
Therefore make Emperor position, make 3 Minister position, although have accompany jade & running horses, why not sit on this Tao (way).
古之所以贵此道者何？
Why ancient so treasure this Tao (way)?
不曰求以得，有罪以免邪？
Isn't it said those who ask can get, those who have sins will be forgiven?
故为天下贵。
Therefore become under Heaven treasure.
为无为，事无事，味无味。
Purpose no purpose, do no do, taste no taste.
大小多少。
Big for small many for little.
抱怨以德。
Return resentment with virtues.
图难于其易，为大于其细。
To do difficult start from easy, for big things start with small.
天下难事必作于易。
Under Heaven difficult things must do from easy.
天下大事作于细。
Under Heaven big things start with small.
是以圣人终不为大，故能成其大。
For Sage always do not think himself big, therefore able to become big.
夫轻诺必寡信。
People who easily promise definitely lose trust.
多易必多难。
Many see the tasks easy definitely many difficulty.
是以圣人犹难之，故终无难矣。
For Sage treat things difficult with, therefore always no difficult.
其安易持，其未兆易谋。
When peace easy to maintain, when no sign easy to plan.
其脆易泮，其微易散。
When crisp easy to break, when tiny easy separate.
为之于未有，治之于未乱。
Handle before it has become, govern before it become chaos.
合抱之木，生于毫末；九层之台，起于累土；千里之行，始于足下。
Hands hug of tree, born from tiny shoot; nine storey tower, arise from lose earth; thousand miles journey, begin under the feet.
为者败之，执者失之。
Purpose person defeat with, involve person lose with.
是以圣人无为故无败，无执故无失。
Therefore for Sage no purpose therefore no defeat, not involve therefore no lose.
民之从事，常于几成而败之。
When people do things, it is always almost success but defeat with.
慎终如始，则无败事。
Careful to end like start, then no defeat things.
是以圣人欲不欲，不贵难得之货；学不学，复众人之所过。
Therefore for Sage desire no desire, not treasure hard to get goods; learn unable to learn, display the people what they mistakes.
以辅万物之自然，而不敢为。
To assist all things natural evolution, & not dare do.
古之善为道者，非之明民，将以愚之。
Ancient good at Tao (way) Persons, not to enlighten the people, but to make stupid.
民之难治，以其多智。
The people difficult to govern, is because they many intelligent.
故以智治国国之贼，以不智治国国之福。
Therefore use intelligence to govern country is country's thief, to use non-intelligence to govern country country's happiness.
此两者亦稽式。
These two methods are official methods.
常知稽式，是谓玄德。
All know official methods, are known as wonder virtues.
玄德深矣远矣，与物反矣，乃至大顺。
Wonder virtues deep is & far is, with things opposite, is extreme big smooth.
江海所以能为百谷王者，以其善下之，故能为百谷王。
Why seas can be hundred valley king, is because it is good as below humble, therefore can become hundred valley king.
是以欲上民，必以言下之。
Therefore want to become upper people, definitely for speeches to be below humble.
欲先民，必以身后之。
Want to become front people, definitely for body to be back.
是以圣人处上，而民不重，处前而民不害。
Therefore for Sage to be up, then people do not heavy burden, to be front & people do not get harm.
是以天下乐推而不厌。
Therefore under Heaven love to recommend & do not get bored.
以其不争，故天下莫能与之争。
For not competing, therefore under Heaven no one can compete.
天下皆谓我道大，似不肖。
Under Heaven all say me Tao (way) big, like no shape.
夫唯大，故似不肖。
Because it is big, therefore like no shape.
若肖，久矣其细也夫。
If have shape, long time become tiny.
我有三宝，持而保之：一曰慈，二曰俭，三曰不敢为天下先。
I have 3 treasures, keep & guard them: first is compassion, second is thrifty, third do not dare become under Heaven first.
慈故能勇；俭故能广；不敢为天下先，故能成器长。
Compassion can become brave; thrifty can become broad; do not dare become under Heaven first, therefore can become useful things biggest.
今舍慈且勇，舍俭且广，舍后且先，死矣。
Today abandon compassion to be brave, abandon thrifty to be broad, abandon back to be front, die.
夫慈以战则胜，以守则固。
He who is compassion with combat will win, with guard will stronghold.
天将救之，以慈卫之。
Heaven to save with, use compassion to guard with.
善为士者不武；善战者不怒；善胜敌者不与；善用人者为之下。
Good as fighter do not fight; good at combat do not angry; good at winning enemy do not with; good at using people is below humble.
是谓不争之德，是谓用人之力，是谓配天古之极。
This is known as no competition of virtues, is known use people of strength, is known fit Heaven ancient standards.
用兵者有言：“吾不敢为主而为客，不敢进寸而退尺。”
Use soldiers have saying: "I do not dare to be attacking host but to be defending guest, do not dare advance inch but to retreat feet."
是谓行无行，攘无臂，执无兵，扔无敌。
Is therefore action like no action, lift arm like no lift arm, use soldiers like not using soldiers, engaging enemy like not engaging enemy.
祸莫大于轻敌，轻敌几丧吾宝。
Disaster is biggest at looking small of enemy, looking small of enemy will lose your treasure.
故抗兵相加，则哀者胜矣。
Therefore opposing soldiers facing, then sad people win.
吾言甚易知，甚易行。
My words are easily know, easily do.
天下莫能知，莫能行。
But under Heaven do not know, do not do.
言有宗，事有君。
Words have main point, tasks have main point.
夫唯无知，是以不我知。
Because you do not know, therefore do not know me.
知我者希，则我贵者。
Know me few, use my thought are treasure people.
是以圣人被褐怀玉。
Therefore Sage outside bad clothing inside wearing jade.
知不知，上；不知知，病。
Know you don't know, upper; don't know but think know, sick.
夫唯病病，是以不病。
For you think this sickness is sickness, therefore not as sickness.
是圣人不病，以其病病，是以不病。
For Sage no sickness, is because he treats sickness as sickness, therefore not a sickness.
民不畏威，则大威至。
When people not afraid of powerful emperor, then big powerful come to emperor.
无狎其所居，无厌其所生。
Do not force people cannot home, do not squeeze people cannot live.
夫唯不厌，是以不厌。
Only you do not force people to hate, therefore people do not hate you.
是以圣人自知不自见，自爱不自贵。
Therefore Sage self know not self opinion, self love not self high status.
故去彼取此。
Therefore give away that & take this.
勇于敢则杀，勇于不敢则活。
Courage to dare shall get killed, courage to dare-not shall live.
此两者或利或害。
These 2 things one is good & one is bad.
天之所恶，孰知其故？
What Heaven hates, do you know the reasons?
天之道，不争而善胜，不言而善应，不召而自来，[蝉*]然而善谋。
Heaven Tao (way), not compete & good at winning, not talk & good at getting response, not ask come & self come, relaxed & good at planning.
天网恢恢，疏而不失。
Heaven net many many, do not let escape.
民不畏死，奈何以死惧之？
The people not afraid of death, what use to use death to scare them?
若使民常畏死，而为奇者吾得执而杀之，孰敢？
If make the people always scare of death, & make those who do bad things to kill them, who dare?
常有司杀者杀。
Always have people in charge to kill to kill.
夫代司杀者杀，是谓代大匠斫。
You replace those people in charge to kill to kill, is like replacing big carpenter to cut wood.
希有不伤其手矣。
Very little chance you won't hurt your hand.
民之饥，以其上食税之多，是以饥。
The people is hungry, is because the food tax many, therefore hungry.
民之难治，以其上之有为，是以难治。
The people is difficult to govern, is because upper government have too many purposes, therefore difficult to govern.
民之轻死，以其上求生之厚，是以轻死。
The people look lightly on death, is because upper government take people living for luxury, therefore look lightly on death.
夫唯无以生为者，是贤于贵生。
Only people who no for living & doing persons, are good at treasuring living.
人之生也柔弱，其死也坚强。
Person living body is soft weak, its death also become tough strong.
万物草木之生也柔脆，其死也枯槁。
All things grass & trees also soft & crisp, their death also old dead.
故坚强者死之徒，柔弱者生之徒。
Therefore tough strong is death kind, soft weak is living kind.
是以兵强则不胜，木强则兵。
Therefore for army strong then not win, trees strong then cut.
强大处下，柔弱处上。
Strong big places below, soft weak places above.
天之道，其犹张弓与！
Heaven Tao (way), is like opening big a arrow bow!
高者仰之，下者举之，有余者损之，不足者补之。
High then lower, low then higher, have excess cut, not enough add.
天之道损有余而补不足。
Heaven Tao (way) cut excess & add not enough.
人之道则不然，损不足以奉有余。
Human way is different, cut not enough to give have excess.
孰能有余以奉于天下？
Who can have excess & give under Heaven?
唯有道者。
Only have Tao (way) persons.
是以圣人为而不恃，功成而不处，其不欲见贤。
Therefore for Sage do & do not claim, merits become & do not stress, do not desire to look good.
天下莫柔弱于水，而攻坚强者莫之能胜。
Under Heaven there is nothing less soft than water, but attack tough strong nothing can win it.
其无以易之。
Therefore nothing can replace it.
柔之胜刚，弱之胜强，天下莫不知，莫能行。
Soft wins tough, weak wins strong, under Heaven no one knows, no one does.
是以圣人云：“受国之垢，是谓社稷主。
Therefore for Sage says: "borne Country's shame, then can be known as Country owner.
受国之不祥，是谓天下王。”
Borne Country not lucky things, then can be known as under Heaven Emperor."
正言若反。
Right words like wrong.
和大怨，必有余怨，安可以为善？
Settle big resentment, definitely has remaining resentment, how can say good?
是以圣人执左契，而不责于人。
Therefore for Sage keep the invoice, but do not ask from people.
有德司契，无德司彻。
Have virtues just keep invoice, no virtues keep asking.
天道无亲，常与善人。
Heaven Tao (way) no relative, always with good people.
小国寡民。
Small country little people.
使民有什伯之器而不用。
Make the people even with most powerful equipments also do not use.
使民重死而不远徒。
Make the people afraid of death & do not travel far.
虽有舟舆，无所乘之。
Even have boats & cars, no one use them.
虽有甲兵，无所陈之。
Even have armour soldiers, no one use them.
使民复结绳而用之。
Make people tie knots to remember things to use.
甘其食，美其服，安其居，乐其俗。
Delicious the foods, beautiful the clothings, comfortable the houses, happy the customs.
邻国相望，鸡犬之声相闻，民至老死不相往来。
Neighbouring countries each other look, chickens & dogs their sounds each other hear, the people to old death do not each other go each other.
信言不美，美言不信。
Trustworthy words not beautiful, beautiful words not trustworthy.
善者不辩，辩者不善。
Good people do not debate, debate people are not good.
知者不博，博者不知。
Those who know do not search knowledges, those who search knowledges do not know.
圣人不积，既以为人已愈有，既以与人已愈多。
Sage do not keep himself, for he gives people the more he has, for the more he shares with people the more he plentiful.
天之道利而不害，圣人之道为而不争。
Heaven Tao (way) benefits & do not harms, Sage Tao (way) does & does not compete.