1. when the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating. when one gives undivided attention to the (vital) breath, and brings it to the utmost degree of pliancy, he can become as a (tender) babe. when he has cleansed away the most mysterious sights (of his imagination), he can become without a flaw.

2. in loving the people and ruling the state, cannot he proceed without any (purpose of) action? in the opening and shutting of his gates of heaven, cannot he do so as a female bird? while his intelligence reaches in every direction, cannot he (appear to) be without knowledge?

3. (the tao) produces (all things) and nourishes them; it produces them and does not claim them as its own; it does all, and yet does not boast of it; it presides over all, and yet does not control them. this is what is called 'the mysterious quality' (of the tao).

載營魄抱一，能無离乎？

專气致柔，能如嬰儿乎？

滌除玄鑒，能如疵乎？

愛國治民，能無為乎？

天門開闔，能為雌乎？

明白四達，能無知乎？

【译文】

保持神魂与体魄的谐和统一，能不崩解离散吗？圆融气质以致柔顺随和，能像婴儿一样吗？清理幽深而明澈的自体，能没有任何瑕疵吗？爱民治国，能不执着于名而顺任自然吗？在展身作为、功成身退的循环中，能像雌母一样吗？明于道而"发光"行进于一切领域，都能无须向显学成见"借光"吗？生它，养它，生了它并不拘系自有，成就了什么并不执为仗恃，虽获取较高的资格权能却不肆行宰制，这就叫做无限深得于道的"玄德"。