《道德經第二十一章》

以此『類推』to deduce the rest by analogy/and so on/and so forth

孔德之容，唯道是從。

道之為物，唯恍唯惚。

忽兮恍兮，其中有象；恍兮忽兮，其中有物。

窈兮冥兮，其中有精；其精甚真，其中有信。

自古及今，其名不去，以閱衆甫。

吾何以知衆甫之狀哉？以此。

קַבָּלָה‎ (kabalá, “Jewish mysticism”, literally “something received”)

Dao De jing Chapter Twenty-one — C. Ganson

21

The De follows Dao.

Dao is like a dream:

invisible, intangible, obscure.

It is invisible yet there is a form to it.

It is intangible yet there is a feel to it.

It is obscure yet there is a method to it.

The method is true and so there are signs of it.

From ancient times until now

the signs have never ceased

by which we can still see the beginning.

How can I know the nature of the beginning?

By these signs!

Dao De jing Chapter Twenty-one — James Legge

(The empty heart, or the Dao in its operation)

The grandest forms of active force

From Dao come their only source.

Who can of Dao the nature tell?

Our sight it flies our touch as well.

Eluding sight, eluding touch,

The forms of things all in it crouch;

Eluding touch, eluding sight,

There are their semblances, all right.

Profound it is, dark and obscure;

Things' essences all there endure.

Those essences the truth enfold

Of what, when seen, shall then be told.

Now it is so; 'twas so of old.

Its name — what passes not away;

So, in their beautiful array,

Things form and never know decay.

How know I that it is so with all the beauties of existing things?

By this (nature of the Dao)

Dao De jing Chapter Twenty-one — Arthur Waley

21

Such is the scope of the All-pervading Power.

That it alone can act through the Way.

For the Way is a thing impalpable, incommensurable.

Incommensurable, impalpable.

Yet latent in it are forms;

Impalpable, incommensurable

Yet within it are entities.

Shadowy it is and dim;

Yet within it, there is a force,

Is nonetheless efficacious.

From the times of old till now

Its charge has not departed

But cheers onward the many warriors.

How do I know that the many warriors are so?

Through this.