第6章 · 原文
现代白话译文
虚空而神奇的道是永恒不灭的，这叫做深奥的母性。深奥母性的门户，叫做天地的根源。它连绵不绝地存在着，用之不尽。
英文译本 / English Translations
D.C. Lau
The spirit of the valley never dies. This is called the mysterious female. The gateway of the mysterious female Is called the root of heaven and earth. Dimly visible, it seems as if it were there, Yet use will never drain it.
Robert Henricks
1. The valley spirit never dies; 2. We call it the mysterious female. 3. The gates of the mysterious female — 4. These we call the roots of Heaven and Earth. 5. Subtle yet everlasting! It seems to exist. 6. In being used, it is not exhausted.
Addiss & Lombardo
The spirit of the valley never dies—this is called the dark female. The dark female's doorway is called the root of heaven and earth. Faint, it seems to barely exist, and yet it's inexhaustible.
Arthur Waley
The Valley Spirit never dies. It is named the Mysterious Female. And the doorway of the Mysterious Female Is the base from which Heaven and Earth sprang. It is there within us all the while; Draw upon it as you will, it never runs dry.
林语堂
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Stephen Mitchell
The Tao is called the Great Mother: empty yet inexhaustible, it gives birth to infinite worlds. It is always present within you. You can use it any way you want.