| Original | English Translation |
|---|---|
| The Way is ever without action, yet nothing remains undone. | |
| If rulers can guard it, | |
| all things will transform of themselves. | |
| Transforming and desiring to act— | |
| I will steady them with the nameless uncarved block. | |
| The nameless uncarved block— | |
| it too will be without desire. | |
| Without desire, there is stillness; | |
| all under heaven will settle of itself. |
road; path; way; method; principle; to speak; to lead
frequent; constant; ordinary; habitual; eternal
not; without; nothing; lacking; void
do; make; become; be; serve as; for; because of
and; but; yet; while; moreover
not; no; un-; non=
marquis; noble; lord; high official
king; ruler; royal; to rule
if; supposing; like; as if; similar to
can; able; ability; capacity; power
guard; keep; defend; observe; maintain
it, him, her, them; of; 's; go to; reach
ten thousand; myriad; countless; all; everything
thing; object; matter; creature; substance
general; commander; lead; about to; will; transfer
self; oneself; from; since; spontaneous; automatic
transform; change; melt; dissolve; become; civilize
desire; want; intend; be about to; appetite
make; do; create; compose; work; act
I; me; my
press down; guard; pacify; garrison; town
by means of; use; because; so as to; in order to
name; title; reputation; to call; to designate
uncarved block; simple; plain; natural; rustic
man; husband; adult male; [particle] now; indeed; as for
also; too; likewise; similarly; even
quiet; still; calm; silence; pacify
sky; heaven; nature; fate; day
below; down; descend; next; subordinate
settle; fix; decide; stable; certain; calm