作品描述

上士闻道，勤而行之；中士闻道，若存若亡；下士闻道，大笑之。不笑不足以为道。故建言有之：明道若昧，进道若退，夷道若类，上德若谷，大白若辱，广德若不足，建德若偷；质真若渝，大方无隅，大器晚成，大音希声，大象无形，道隐无名。

夫唯道，善始且善成。

When the highest type of men hear the Tao (truth),

they try hard to live in accordance with it.

When the mediocre type hear the Tao,

they seem to be aware and yet unaware of it.

When the lowest type hear the Tao,

They break into loud laughter -

If it were not laughed at, it would not be Tao.

Therefore there is the established saying:

'Who understands Tao seems dull of comprehension;

Who is advance in Tao seems to slip backwards;

Who moves on the even Tao (Path) seems to go up and down.'

Superior character appears like a hollow (valley);

Sheer white appears like tarnished;

Great character appears like infirm;

Pure worth appears like contaminated.

Great space has no corners;

Great talent takes long to mature;

Great music is faintly heard;

Great form has no contour;

And Tao is hidden without a name.

It is this Tao that is adept at lending (its power)

and bringing fulfillment.