第1章 · 原文
现代白话译文
可以用语言表述的道，不是永恒不变的道；可以用名称界定的名，不是永恒不变的名。无名是天地的开端，有名是万物的根源。所以，常从无中观察奥妙，常从有中观察端倪。无和有同源而名称不同，都可以说是深奥的。这种深奥又深奥，是一切奥妙的门户。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
The way that can be spoken of is not the constant way; the name that can be named is not the constant name. The nameless was the beginning of heaven and earth; the named was the mother of the myriad creatures. Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe its mystery; always have desires in order to observe its manifestations. These two are the same but diverge in name as they issue forth. Being the same they are called mysteries, mystery upon mystery, the gateway to the manifold secrets.
Robert Henricks
The Way that can be spoken of is not the constant Way; the name that can be named is not the constant Name. The Nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth; the Named is the mother of all things. Therefore, let there always be non-being so we may perceive its subtlety, and let there always be being so we may perceive its manifestations. These two are the same—only as they manifest differently they are called by different names. The identity of their sameness is the mystery—mystery upon mystery—the gateway to all subtleties.
Addiss & Lombardo
The way you can go isn't the real way. The name you can say isn't the real name. Heaven and earth begin in the unnamed: name's the mother of the ten thousand things. So the unwanting soul sees what's hidden, and the ever-wanting soul sees only what it wants. Two things, one origin, different names once they pass the gate. The gateway's mystery—dark and deep—opens to all secrets.
Arthur Waley
The Way that can be told of is not an Unvarying Way; The names that can be named are not unvarying names. It was from the Nameless that Heaven and Earth sprang; The named is but the mother that rears the ten thousand creatures, each after its kind. Truly, "Only he that rids himself forever of desire can see the Secret Essentials"; He that has never rid himself of desire can see only the Outcomes. These two things issued from the same mould, but nevertheless are different in name. This "same mould" we can but call the Mystery, Or rather the "Darker than any Mystery", The Doorway whence issued all Secret Essences.
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
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