The ancients followed the divine law,

subtle, delicate, mysterious, communicative,

too deep to be understood.

Not objectively understood,

it can only be subjectively described.

The ancients were circumspect as crossing a frozen river,

watchful as fearful of hostile neighbors,

reserved as an unacquainted guest,

softened as melting ice,

natural as uncarved block,

vacant as a vale,

and obscure as a muddy stream.

Who could calm the turbid water?

It could be slowly turned clean.

Who could stir the stale water?

It could be slowly revived.

Those who follow the divine law

will not be full to the brim.

Only those who do not go to excess

can renew what is worn out.

古之善為道者，微妙玄通，深不可識。夫唯不可識，故強(qiáng)為之容。豫兮其若冬涉川；猶兮其若畏四鄰；儼兮其若容；渙兮其若冰之將釋；敦兮其若樸；曠兮其若谷；混兮其若濁；孰能濁以靜之徐清？孰能安以動之徐生？保此道者不欲盈。夫唯不盈，故能蔽而新成。