《道德经》英译（第五十五章）

含德之厚，

比于赤子。

蜂虿虺蛇不螫，

猛兽不据，

攫鸟不搏。

骨弱筋柔而握固。

未知牝牡之合而全作，

精之至也。

终日号而不嗄，

和之至也。

知和曰常，

知常曰明，

益生曰祥。

心使气曰强。

物壮则老，

谓之不道，

不道早已。

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Chapter 55

 

He who is filled with Virtue is like a newborn child.

Wasps and serpents will not sting him;

Wild beasts will not pounce upon him;

He will not be attacked by birds of prey.

His bones are soft, his muscles weak,

But his grip is firm.

He has not experienced the union of man and woman, but is whole.

His manhood is strong—

He screams all day without becoming hoarse.

This is perfect harmony.

Knowing harmony is constancy.

Knowing constancy is enlightenment.

It is not wise to rush about.

Controlling the breath causes strain.

If too much energy is used, exhaustion follows.

This is not the way of Tao.

Whatever is contrary to Tao will not last long.

 

（Gia-Fu Fen & Jane English 译）