Chapter 25
第二十五章
There was something undefined and complete, coming into existence before Heaven and Earth.
有物混成，先天地生，
How still it was and formless, standing alone, and undergoing no change, reaching everywhere and in no danger (of being exhausted)!
寂兮寥兮，独立而不改，周行而不殆，
It may be regarded as the Mother of all things.
可以为天地母。
I do not know its name, and I give it the designation of the Tao (the Way or Course).
吾不知其名，字之曰道，
Making an effort (further) to give it a name I call it The Great.
强为之名曰大。

Great, it passes on (in constant flow). Passing on, it becomes remote.
大曰逝，逝曰远。
Having become remote, it returns.
远曰反。
Therefore the Tao is great; Heaven is great; Earth is great; and the (sage) king is also great.
故道大，天大，地大，王亦大。
In the universe there are four that are great, and the (sage) king is one of them.
域中有四大，而王居其一焉。
Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes its law from the Tao.
人法地，地法天，天法道，
The law of the Tao is its being what it is.
道法自然。