Stephen Mitchell译本《道德经》第7章

Chapter 7

The Tao is infinite, eternal.

Why is it eternal?

It was never born;

thus it can never die.

Why is it infinite?

It has no desires for itself;

thus it is present for all beings.

The Master stays behind;

that is why she is ahead.

She is detached from all things;

that is why she is one with them.

Because she has let go of herself,

she is perfectly fulfilled.

第七章

天长地久

天地所以能长且久者

以其不自生

故能长生

是以圣人后其身而身先

外其身而身存

非以其无私邪

故能成其私