第14章 · 原文
现代白话译文
看它看不见，叫作夷；听它听不到，叫作希；摸它摸不着，叫作微。这三者的形状无从追究，它们原本就浑然而为一。它的上面既不显得明亮，它的下面也不显得昏暗。它绵延不绝而又不可名状，又总要回到看不见物体的虚无状态。这是没有形状的形状，没有物体的形象，叫作惚恍。迎着它，看不见它的头；跟着它，看不见它的尾。运用自古以来的道，来驾驭现在的具体事物。能了解远古开始的事物，这就叫作道的规律。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
What cannot be seen is called evanescent; What cannot be heard is called rarefied; What cannot be touched is called minute. These three cannot be fathomed And so they are confused and looked upon as one. Its upper part is not dazzling; Its lower part is not obscure. Dimly visible, it cannot be named And returns to that which is without substance. This is called the shape that has no shape, The image that is without substance. This is called indistinct and shadowy. Go up to it and you will not see its head; Follow behind it and you will not see its rear. Hold fast to the way of antiquity In order to keep in control the realm of today. The ability to know the beginning of antiquity Is called the thread running through the way.
Robert Henricks
1. We look at it but do not see it; 2. We name this "the minute." 3. We listen to it but do not hear it; 4. We name this "the rarefied." 5. We touch it but do not hold it; 6. We name this "the level and smooth." 7. These three cannot be examined to the limit. 8. Thus they merge together as one. 9. "One" — there is nothing more encompassing above it, 10. And nothing smaller below it. 11. Boundless, formless! It cannot be named, 12. And returns to the state of no-thing. 13. This is called the formless form, 14. The substanceless image. 15. This is called the subtle and indistinct. 16. Follow it and you won't see its back; 17. Greet it and you won't see its head. 18. Hold on to the Way of the present — 19. To manage the things of the present, 20. And to know the ancient beginning. 21. This is called the beginning of the thread of the Way.
Addiss & Lombardo
Look, it cannot be seen - it is invisible. Listen, it cannot be heard - it is inaudible. Reach, it cannot be touched - it is intangible. These three cannot be investigated, they merge into one. Above is not bright, below is not dark. An unending thread beyond naming, it returns to nothingness. This is the formless form, the image of nothing. This is the elusive. Meet it, it has no beginning. Follow it, it has no end. Hold to the ancient way, to rule the present. Knowing the ancient beginning is the way's thread.
Arthur Waley
Because the eye gazes but can catch no glimpse of it, It is called elusive. Because the ear listens but cannot hear it, It is called the rarefied. Because the hand feels for it but cannot find it, It is called the infinitesimal. These three, because they cannot be further scrutinized, Blend into one, Its rising brings no light; Its sinking, no darkness. Endless the series of things without name On the way back to where there is nothing. They are called shapeless shapes; Forms without form; Are called vague semblance. Go towards them, and you can see no front; Go after them, and you see no rear. Yet by seizing on the Way that was You can ride the things that are now. For to know what once there was, in the Beginning, This is called the essence of the Way.
林语堂
This version is not yet available.
Stephen Mitchell
Look, and it can't be seen. Listen, and it can't be heard. Reach, and it can't be grasped. Above, it isn't bright. Below, it isn't dark. Seamless, unnamable, it returns to the realm of nothing. Form that includes all forms, image without an image, subtle, beyond all conception. Approach it and there is no beginning; follow it and there is no end. You can't know it, but you can be it, at ease in your own life. Just realize where you come from: this is the essence of wisdom.