Chapter 32
第三十二章
The Tao, considered as unchanging, has no name.
道常无名，
Though in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the whole world dares not deal with (one embodying) it as a minister.
朴虽小，天下莫能臣。
If a feudal prince or the king could guard and hold it, all would spontaneously submit themselves to him.
侯王若能守之，万物将自宾。
Heaven and Earth (under its guidance) unite together and send down the sweet dew,
天地相合，以降甘露，

which, without the directions of men, reaches equally everywhere as of its own accord.
民莫之令而自均。
As soon as it proceeds to action, it has a name.
始制有名，
When it once has that name, (men) can know to rest in it.
名亦既有，夫亦将知止。
When they know to rest in it, they can be free from all risk of failure and error.
知止可以不殆。
The relation of the Tao to all the world is like that of the great rivers and seas to the streams from the valleys.
譬道之在天下，犹川谷之于江海。