Chapter 55
第五十五章
He who has in himself abundantly the attributes (of the Tao) is like an infant.
含德之厚，比于赤子。
Poisonous insects will not sting him; fierce beasts will not seize him; birds of prey will not strike him.
蜂虿虺蛇不螫，猛兽不据，攫鸟不搏。
(The infant's) bones are weak and its sinews soft, but yet its grasp is firm.
骨弱筋柔而握固。
It knows not yet the union of male and female, and yet its virile member may be excited;--showing the perfection of its physical essence.
未知牝牡之合，而朘作，精之至也。

All day long it will cry without its throat becoming hoarse;--showing the harmony (in its constitution).
终日号，而不嗄，和之至也。
To him by whom this harmony is known, (The secret of) the unchanging (Tao) is shown, And in the knowledge wisdom finds its throne.
精和曰常，知常曰明，
All life-increasing arts to evil turn; Where the mind makes the vital breath to burn, (False) is the strength, (and o'er it we should mourn.)
益生曰祥，心使气曰强。
When things have become strong, they (then) become old, which may be said to be contrary to the Tao.
物壮则老，谓之不道，
Whatever is contrary to the Tao soon ends.
不道早已。