Laozi · Complete work
Chapter 21
Chapter 21 of 81. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
Open the complete readerOriginal Classical Chinese
孔德之容，唯道是從。道之為物，唯恍唯惚。忽兮恍兮，其中有象；恍兮忽兮，其中有物。窈兮冥兮，其中有精；其精甚真，其中有信。自古及今，其名不去，以閱衆甫。吾何以知衆甫之狀哉？以此。
Mouseia
Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation, made directly from the original source for fidelity, modern clarity, beauty, symbolism, and structure.
The bearing of profound virtue follows the Way alone.As a thing, the Way is only elusive, only indistinct.Indistinct, elusive—within it are images;Elusive, indistinct—within it are things.Deep, dark—within it is essence;That essence is utterly real; within it is sure testimony.From antiquity to this day, its name has never departed, and through it we behold the beginnings of all.How do I know the form of all beginnings?By this.
OpenTao
Complete CC BY 4.0 translation made directly from the received Chinese text; source line structure preserved.
Great power takes form by following the Way alone.As a thing, the Way is only glimmer, only blur.Blurred, glimmering—within it are images;Glimmering, blurred—within it are things.Deep and dark—within it lies the vital essence;that essence is utterly real, and within it lies something trustworthy.From ancient times to now, its name endures; through it we see into the origins of all things.How do I know the shape of those beginnings?By this.
James Legge (1891)
Complete public-domain translation made directly from the original source text.
The grandest forms of active forceFrom Tao come, their only source.Who can of Tao the nature tell?Our sight it flies, our touch as well.Eluding sight, eluding touch,The forms of things all in it crouch;Eluding touch, eluding sight,There are their semblances, all right.Profound it is, dark and obscure;Things' essences all there endure.Those essences the truth enfoldOf what, when seen, shall then be told.Now it is so; 'twas so of old.Its name--what passes not away;So, in their beautiful array,Things form and never know decay.
How know I that it is so with all the beauties of existing things? By this (nature of the Tao).