Chapter 21
第二十一章
The grandest forms of active force From Tao come, their only source.
孔德之容，惟道是从。
Who can of Tao the nature tell?
道之为物，
Our sight it flies, our touch as well.
惟恍惟惚。
Eluding sight, eluding touch, The forms of things all in it crouch;
惚兮恍兮，其中有象；
Eluding touch, eluding sight, There are their semblances, all right.
恍兮惚兮，其中有物；

Profound it is, dark and obscure; Things' essences all there endure.
窈兮冥兮，其中有精。
Those essences the truth enfold Of what, when seen, shall then be told.
其精甚真，其中有信。
Now it is so; 'twas so of old.
自古及今，
Its name — what passes not away; So, in their beautiful array, Things form and never know decay.
其名不去，以阅众甫。
How know I that it is so with all the beauties of existing things?
吾何以知众甫之状哉？
By this (nature of the Tao).
以此。