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道常无名，
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The Dao is forever nameless. |
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朴虽小，
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Simple and unpretentious, |
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天下莫能臣。
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No one under heaven can control it. |
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侯王若能守之，
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If rulers could embrace it, |
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万物将自宾。
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All things would align naturally. |
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天地相合，
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Heaven and earth would harmonize |
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以降甘露，
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And sweet dew would gently fall. |
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民莫之令而自均。
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The people would be just without commands. |
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始制有名，
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Once naming begins, |
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名亦既有，
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Proliferation of names follows. |
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夫亦将知止，
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One must know when to stop. |
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知止可以不殆。
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Knowing when to stop prevents peril. |
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譬道之在天下，
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The Dao in the world |
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犹川谷之于江海。
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Is like rivers converging into the sea. |