第十章


载营魄抱一，能无离乎？
抟气致柔，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。



Chapter 10


Can you coax your mind from its wandering and keep to the original oneness?
Can you let your body become
supple as a newborn child's?
Can you cleanse your inner vision
until you see nothing but the light?
Can you love people and lead them
without imposing your will?
Can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course?
Can you step back from your own mind and thus understand all things?

Giving birth and nourishing,
having without possessing,
acting with no expectations,
leading and not trying to control:
this is the supreme virtue.