1. when we renounce learning we have no troubles.

the (ready) 'yes,' and (flattering) 'yea;'--

small is the difference they display.

but mark their issues, good and ill;--

what space the gulf between shall fill? what all men fear is indeed to be feared; but how wide and without end is the range of questions (asking to be discussed)!

2. the multitude of men look satisfied and pleased; as if enjoying a full banquet, as if mounted on a tower in spring. i alone seem listless and still, my desires having as yet given no indication of their presence. i am like an infant which has not yet smiled. i look dejected and forlorn, as if i had no home to go to. the multitude of men all have enough and to spare. i alone seem to have lost everything. my mind is that of a stupid man; i am in a state of chaos. ordinary men look bright and intelligent, while i alone seem to be benighted. they look full of discrimination, while i alone am dull and confused. i seem to be carried about as on the sea, drifting as if i had nowhere to rest. all men have their spheres of action, while i alone seem dull and incapable, like a rude borderer. (thus) i alone am different from other men, but i value the nursing-mother (the tao).

绝学，无忧。

唯之与阿，相去几何？

美之与恶，相去何若？

人之所畏，不可不畏？

荒兮其未央哉！

众人熙熙，如享太牢，如春登台。

我独泊兮其未兆，如婴儿之未孩，傫傫兮，若无所归。

众人皆有余，而我独若遗。

我愚人之心也哉，沌沌兮！

俗人昭昭，我独昏昏。

俗人察察，我独闷闷。

澹兮其若海，飂兮若无止。

众人皆有以，而我独顽似鄙。

我独异于人，而贵食母。

【译文】

抛弃显学成见等路况知识，可以无忧在途。

那些去应诺附从的与那些去呵斥抗拮的，能有多大差别？那些在欣赏喜慰的与那些在嫌恶厌弃的，又相差多少？他人所畏避的，难道就非畏避不可吗？这种盲从风气久远以来到处蔓延，什么时候都没完没了！

人们真是喧闹喜乐、风光满面，就像享用着盛宴的美食，就像春日里奔赴高台。唯独我淡淡漠漠的，找不出任何随潮同流的迹象，就像婴儿还不懂得言笑作态，娴静而慵懒，因不附从于任何潮流而显得无所归属。

人们似乎都有充足的装备，而我却显得什么也不足。我真是愚人的心肠呵，混混沌沌的。人们似乎精明而睿智，而我却显得糊里糊涂。人们勤紧而利索，而我却在无可无不可地闲散游荡。摇曳灵活呵，就像大海一样；飘忽散漫呵，无拘无束。人们似乎都有足堪仗恃的本领，而我却总是不轻易出离混沌无名，就像不堪成器的鄙朴一样。我将继续我的特立独行，我崇尚求得于道。