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载营魄抱一，
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Can you unite your soul with your body, |
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能无离乎？
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And keep them undivided? |
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专气致柔，
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Can you focus your energy, |
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能婴儿乎？
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And become as gentle as a newborn child? |
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涤除玄览，
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Can you cleanse your inner sight, |
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能无疵乎？
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And be without imperfections? |
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爱国治民，
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Can you love and govern the people, |
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能无为乎？
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Without clever manipulation? |
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天门开阖，
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Can you open and close the gates of heaven, |
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能为雌乎？
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And remain receptive and yielding? |
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明白四达，
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Can you understand all things clearly, |
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能无知乎？
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Without the use of knowledge? |
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生之畜之，
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Give life and nourish, |
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生而不有，
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Without possessing. |
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为而不恃，
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Act without expectation, |
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长而不宰，
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Lead without dominating. |
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是谓玄德。
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This is the profound virtue. |