| Original | English Translation |
|---|---|
| The Great Way drifts— | |
| it can flow left and right. | |
| All things rely on it for life, and it does not refuse; | |
| the work is done—it claims no possession. | |
| It clothes and nourishes all things, yet is no master; | |
| ever without desire, | |
| it may be called small; | |
| all things return to it, | |
| yet is no master; | |
| it may be called great. | |
| Because it never makes itself great, | |
| so it achieves its greatness. |
big; large; great; adult; major; high-ranking
road; path; way; method; principle; to speak; to lead
float; drift; wide; general; overflow
exclamatory particle; pause marker; oh; alas
his; her; its; their; that; the one who; such
can; may; possible; permissible; acceptable; to approve
left; left-hand; to assist; auxiliary
right; right-hand; to assist; to help
ten thousand; myriad; countless; all; everything
thing; object; matter; creature; substance
rely on; trust in; depend upon; count on
it, him, her, them; of; 's; go to; reach
and; but; yet; while; moreover
birth; life; grow; produce; raw; inexperienced
not; no; un-; non=
words; speech; discourse; to decline; to take leave
achievement; merit; accomplishment; effort; skill
become; complete; succeed; accomplish; finished
name; title; reputation; to call; to designate
have; possess; exist; there is/are; present
clothing; garment; to clothe; to dress; cover
nourish; raise; support; maintain; cultivate
do; make; become; be; serve as; for; because of
lord; master; host; primary; to preside
frequent; constant; ordinary; habitual; eternal
not; without; nothing; lacking; void
desire; want; intend; be about to; appetite
in; at; on; from; to; than; regarding
small; little; young; insignificant; humble
return; go home; belong to; revert; surrender
how; why; where; therein; thus; (final particle)
by means of; use; because; so as to; in order to
end; finish; final; death; finally
self; oneself; from; since; spontaneous; automatic
cause; reason; former; old; therefore
can; able; ability; capacity; power