第三十四章      大小左右

大道泛兮，其可左右。萬物恃之以生而不辭，功成不名有。衣養萬物而不為主，常無欲，可名于小；萬物歸焉而不為主，可名為大。以其終不自為大，故能成其大。

The Evolving Tao is Everywhere

The Great Tao flows everywhere.

All things derive their life from it, and it does not turn away from them. It accomplishes its work, but does not take possession. It provides for and nourishes everything, but does not control them.All things are born from it,

it does not claim ownership.

It clothes and cultivates All Things,

And it does not act as master.

Always without desires, it may be considered small.

Always without desire,

it can be called Small.

All things merge with it,

it can be called Great.

All things come to it and it does not master them; it may be called the Great.

All things return home to it, and it does not claim mastery over them; therefore it can be named as great.

In the end it does not seek greatness,

and in that way the Great is achieved.

Because it never claims greatness, its greatness is achieved. Because to the end it does not claim greatness, Its greatness is achieved.

[譯文]

道恩澤博大，無所不包。萬物仰仗它而，但它完成偉業而不擁有，滋養萬物而不稱為主宰。大道無私無欲，可見其卑微無爭；萬物歸服，卻不稱主宰，可見其大無邊際。

而恰恰因為它不妄自為大，才成就大不可測。