大道廣泛流行,左右上下無所不到。萬物依賴它生長而不推辭,完成了功業(yè),辦妥了事業(yè),而不占有名譽(yù)。它養(yǎng)育萬物而不自以為主,可以稱它為“小”,萬物歸附而不自以為主宰,可以稱它為“大”。正因?yàn)樗蛔砸詾閭ゴ?,所以才能成就它的偉大、完成它的偉大?br />
第三十四章
大道氾兮,
其可左右。
萬物恃之以生而不辭,
功成而不名有。
衣養(yǎng)萬物而不為主,
常無欲,可名于??;
萬物歸焉而不為主,
可名為大。
以其終不自為大,
故能成其大。
Chapter 34
The Great Tao flows everywhere,
(Like a flood) it may go left or right.
The myriad things derive their life from it,
And it does not deny them.
When its work is accomplished,
It does not take possession.
It clothes and feeds the myriad things,
Yet does not claim them as its own.
Often (regarded) without mind or passion,
It may be considered small.
Being the home of all things, yet claiming not,
It may be considered great.
Because to the end it does not claim greatness.
Its greatness is achieved.