十五章

　　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，若
冬涉川；犹兮，若畏四邻；俨兮，其若客；涣兮，其若凌释；敦兮，其若朴；旷
兮，其若谷；混兮，其若浊。孰能浊以止？静之徐清。孰能安以久？动之徐生。
保此道者，不欲盈。夫唯不盈，故能蔽而新成。

Chapter 15. Enlightenment

The enlightened possess understanding

So profound they can not be understood.

Because they cannot be understood

I can only describe their appearance:

Cautious as one crossing thin ice,

Undecided as one surrounded by danger,

Modest as one who is a guest,

Unbounded as melting ice,

Genuine as unshaped wood,

Broad as a valley,

Seamless as muddy water.

Who stills the water that the mud may settle,

Who seeks to stop that he may travel on,

Who desires less than may transpire,

Decays, but will not renew.