1. all-pervading is the great tao! it may be found on the left hand and on the right.

2. all things depend on it for their production, which it gives to them, not one refusing obedience to it. when its work is accomplished, it does not claim the name of having done it. it clothes all things as with a garment, and makes no assumption of being their lord;--it may be named in the smallest things. all things return (to their root and disappear), and do not know that it is it which presides over their doing so;--it may be named in the greatest things.

3. hence the sage is able (in the same way) to accomplish his great achievements. it is through his not making himself great that he can accomplish them.

大道泛兮，其可左右。

万物恃之以生而不辞，功成不名有，衣养万物而不为主，常无欲，可名于小；

万物归焉而不知主，可名于大。

以其终不自为大，故能成其大。

【译文】

大道广泛流通，可普及于或左或右的各种领域。万物依靠它才得以生存而它并不推卸，成就了万物并不矜居功劳，护养万物而不肆行管制，通常没有意志趋求，可显得非常虚无渺小；万物都归附于它却感受不到它的拘管限制，可以显得无比浩大。就是因为它不自大于万物，所以能涵纳万物的归附而无比浩大。