The ancients followed the divine law,
subtle, delicate, mysterious, communicative,
too deep to be understood.
Not objectively understood,
it can only be subjectively described.
The ancients were circumspect as crossing a frozen river,
watchful as fearful of hostile neighbors,
reserved as an unacquainted guest,
softened as melting ice,
natural as uncarved block,
vacant as a vale,
and obscure as a muddy stream.
Who could calm the turbid water?
It could be slowly turned clean.
Who could stir the stale water?
It could be slowly revived.
Those who follow the divine law
will not be full to the brim.
Only those who do not go to excess
can renew what is worn out.
古之善为道者，微妙玄通，深不可识。夫唯不可识，故强为之容。豫兮其若冬涉川；犹兮其若畏四邻；俨兮其若容；涣兮其若冰之将释；敦兮其若朴；旷兮其若谷；混兮其若浊；孰能浊以静之徐清？孰能安以动之徐生？保此道者不欲盈。夫唯不盈，故能蔽而新成。
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