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吾言甚易知，
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My words are very easy to understand, |
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甚易行。
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and very easy to practice. |
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天下莫能知，
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Yet no one under heaven understands them, |
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莫能行。
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or can put them into practice. |
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言有宗，
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Words have an ancestry, |
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事有君。
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deeds have a mastery. |
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夫唯无知，
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Because people do not know, |
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是以不我知。
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they do not understand me. |
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知我者希，
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Those who know me are few; |
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则我者贵。
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those who misunderstand me are valued. |
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是以圣人被褐而怀玉。
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Therefore, the sage wears humble clothes and holds the jewel within. |