Laozi · Complete work
Chapter 6
Chapter 6 of 81. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
Open the complete readerOriginal Classical Chinese
谷神不死，是謂玄牝。玄牝之門，是謂天地根。綿綿若存，用之不勤。
Mouseia
Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation, made directly from the original source for fidelity, modern clarity, beauty, symbolism, and structure.
The valley spirit does not die; this is called the mysterious female.The gate of the mysterious female is called the root of heaven and earth.Fine as an unbroken thread, it seems to endure; draw upon it, and it is never spent.
OpenTao
Complete CC BY 4.0 translation made directly from the received Chinese text; source line structure preserved.
The valley spirit never dies; it is called the mysterious female.Its gate is called the root of heaven and earth.Fine and unbroken, it seems barely there; draw on it, and it is never spent.
James Legge (1891)
Complete public-domain translation made directly from the original source text.
The valley spirit dies not, aye the same;The female mystery thus do we name.Its gate, from which at first they issued forth,Is called the root from which grew heaven and earth.Long and unbroken does its power remain,Used gently, and without the touch of pain.