| 1 |
執大象，天下往。往而不害，安平太。樂與餌，過客止。 |
To him who holds in his hands the Great Image (of the invisible Dao), the whole world repairs. Men resort to him, and
receive no
hurt, but (find) rest, peace, and the feeling of ease. |
"Who holdeth fast to the great Form,
Of him the world will come in quest:
For there we never meet with harm,
There we find shelter, comfort, rest."
|
The world will go to him who grasps this Great Principle; they will seek and
not be injured, they will find contentment, peace and
rest. |
| 2 |
道之出口，淡乎
其無味。視之不足見，聽之不足聞，用之不足既。 |
Music and dainties will make the passing guest stop (for a time).
But though the Dao as it comes from the mouth, seems insipid and has
no flavour, though it seems not worth being looked at or listened to,
the use of it is inexhaustible.
|
Music with dainties makes the passing stranger stop. But Reason, when coming
from the mouth, how tasteless is it! It has no flavor.
When looked at, there is not enough to be seen; when
listened to, there is not enough to be heard. However,
when used, it is inexhaustible.
|
Music and dainties attract the passing people, while Dao's reality seen-is insipid.
Indeed it has no taste, when looked at there is not
enough seen to be prized, when listened for, it can
scarcely be heard, but, the use of it is inexhaustible.
|
