1. the tao, considered as unchanging, has no name.

2. though in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the whole world dares not deal with (one embodying) it as a minister. if a feudal prince or the king could guard and hold it, all would spontaneously submit themselves to him.

3. heaven and earth (under its guidance) unite together and send down the sweet dew, which, without the directions of men, reaches equally everywhere as of its own accord.

4. as soon as it proceeds to action, it has a name. when it once has that name, (men) can know to rest in it. when they know to rest in it, they can be free from all risk of failure and error.

5. the relation of the tao to all the world is like that of the great rivers and seas to the streams from the valleys.

道常无名、朴，虽小，天下莫能臣。

侯王若能守之，万物将自宾。

天地相合以降甘露，人莫之令而自均。

始制有名，名亦既有，夫亦将知止。

知止可以不殆。

譬道之在天下，犹川谷之于江海。

【译文】

道通常取名于无名，它就像不是器具又可以成为各种器具的朴一样，虽幽隐渺小，但天下没有人能把它作为自己的附属。候王若能体守于道而治天下，各类存在将自然归服。因天地谐和一体而普降的甘露，没有什么人的指使也会自然均匀。推行建制就会趋于确定的名状。趋于确定的名状（一定的结构秩序）即使是一种现实，也要懂得适可而止。懂得适可而止就不会有危险。有道莅临的天下的那种谐和统合，就好像天下的溪水河流都流归江海一样。