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上士闻道，
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The wise hear of the Dao, |
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勤而行之；
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and practice it diligently. |
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中士闻道，
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The average hear of the Dao, |
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若存若亡；
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and think of it occasionally. |
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下士闻道，
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The foolish hear of the Dao, |
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大笑之。
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and laugh at it loudly. |
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不笑不足以为道。
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If there were no laughter, the Dao would not be true. |
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故建言有之：
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Thus it is said: |
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明道若昧；
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The bright path appears dim; |
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进道若退；
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The path forward seems like retreat; |
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夷道若纇；
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The easy way appears hard, |
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上德若谷；
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True virtue seems empty; |
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大白若辱；
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Pure whiteness appears sullied; |
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广德若不足；
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Abundant virtue seems inadequate; |
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建德若偷；
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Firm virtue seems frail; |
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质真若渝；
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Genuine purity appears tarnished; |
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大方无隅；
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The great square has no corners; |
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大器晚成；
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Great vessels take time to complete; |
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大音希声；
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Great sounds are rarely heard; |
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大象无形；
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The great figure has no shape; |
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道隐无名。
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The Dao is hidden and nameless. |
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夫唯道，
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Yet the Dao alone |
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善贷且成。
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nourishes and fulfills all things. |