Can body and soul united

never sever?

Can the controlled breath be

softened as a baby's?

Can the purified mental mirror be

free from blemish?

Can a people-loving ruler not interfere in the state affairs?

Can the lower doors not open and close

as the upper doors in the heaven?

Is it possible to understand and make

understand without knowledge?

Give life and make live,

but lay no claim,

benefit but do not interfere,

lead but do not rule,

Such is the mysterious virtue.

载营魄抱一，能无离乎？

专气致柔，能婴儿乎？

涤除玄览，能无疵乎？

爱民治国，能无智乎？

天门开阖，能为雌乎？

明白四达，能无知乎？

（生之畜之，生而不有，为而不恃，长而不宰。是为玄德。）