含德之厚,
|
One who embodies great virtue, |
比于赤子。
|
Is like a newborn child. |
毒虫不螫,
|
Poisonous creatures do not sting, |
猛兽不据,
|
Fierce beasts do not attack, |
攫鸟不搏。
|
Predatory birds do not strike. |
骨弱筋柔而握固。
|
Soft bones and weak muscles, yet a firm grip. |
未知牝牡之合而朘作,
|
Unaware of the union of male and female, |
精之至也。
|
Yet full of vital energy. |
终日号而不嗄,
|
Cries all day without becoming hoarse, |
和之至也。
|
So perfect is its harmony. |
知和曰常,
|
Knowing harmony means constancy, |
知常曰明。
|
Knowing constancy means enlightenment. |
益生曰祥。
|
Long life brings auspiciousness. |
心使气曰强。
|
Forcing the breath causes strain. |
物壮则老,
|
Anything that grows strong ages quickly, |
谓之不道,
|
This is against the Dao, |
不道早已。
|
And what is against the Dao soon ends. |