How far away is yes from no?
唯之与阿，相去几何？
How far away is good from evil?
善之与恶，相去若何？
What others fear, can I not fear?
人之所畏，不可不畏。
How far are they from the center?
荒芙其未央哉！
The multitude are merry as enjoying a sacrificial feast or climbing the height in spring.
众人熙熙，如享太牢、如春登台。
Alone I am so inactive as to show no sign，
innocent as a baby who cannot smile, indifferent as a homeless wanderer.
我独泊兮其未兆，如婴儿之未孩。儡儡(lěi,羸弱)兮，若无所归。
All men have more than enough; alone I seem to have nothing left over.
众人皆有余，而我独若遗。。
What I have is a fool’s heart!
我愚人之心也哉！
The vulgar seem in the light; alone I am in the dark.
俗人昭昭，我独昏昏;
The vulgar seem observant; alone I am dull.
俗人察察，我独闷闷。
The multitude are useful; alone I am useless and indolent.
众人皆有以，而我独顽且鄙。
Different from others, I value the mother who feeds the divine law.
我独异于人，而贵食母。
When the divine law is not followed, good and just men are needed.
大道废，有仁义；
When falsehood is practiced, true and wise men are needed.
慧智出，有大伪；
When the family is at odds, filial sons and kind parents are needed.
六亲不和，有孝慈；
When the state is at stake，loyal officals are needed.
国家昏乱，有忠臣。
If sagacity were not praised, people would be benifited a hundredfold.
绝圣弃智，民利百倍；
If morality were not advocated,sons would be filial and parents kind.
绝仁弃义，民复孝慈；
If ill-gotten wealth were rejected，no thieves or robbers would appear.
绝巧弃利，盗贼无有。
These three things should not be adorned in good words.
此三者，以为文不足。
So the following rules should be observed；be simple and plain，selfless and desireless, unlearned and unworried.
故令有所属，见素抱朴，少私寡欲。
Do your utmost to be empty-minded and hold fast to transquility.
致虚极，守静笃。
All things grow， I see them return to nature.
万物并作，吾以观复。
Multiple as things are, they return to their root.
夫物芸芸，各复归其根。
Their root is tranquility; to return to it is their destiny.
归根曰静，是谓复命。
To submit to one's destiny is the rule; to know the rule is wisdom.
复命曰常，知常曰明。
Those who act against the rule will harm themselves.
不知常，妄作，凶。
Those who understand will pardon, and to pardon is justice.
知常容，容乃公,
Justice is perfect, and perfection belong to heaven.
公乃全，全乃天，
Heaven is divine law, and the devine law is eternal.
天乃道，道乃久，
Men may pass away, but the law will never.
没身不殆。
What is the best rule? None knows there is a ruler.
太上，下知有之；
What is the second best? The ruler is loved and praised.
其次，亲而誉之。
What comes next? He is feared.
其次，畏之；
Still next? He is disobeyed.
其次，侮之。
For he is not trustworthy enough or not at all.
信不足，焉有不信焉。
When things are done, he should let people say that all is natural.
功成事遂，百姓皆谓：我自然。
