1. to him who holds in his hands the great image (of the invisible tao), the whole world repairs. men resort to him, and receive no hurt, but (find) rest, peace, and the feeling of ease.

2. music and dainties will make the passing guest stop (for a time). but though the tao as it comes from the mouth, seems insipid and has no flavour, though it seems not worth being looked at or listened to, the use of it is inexhaustible.

执大象，天下往。

往而不害，安平太。

乐与饵，过客止。

道之出言，淡乎其无味。

视之不足见，听之不足闻。

用之不可既。

【译文】

谁奉行了大道，天下就归附于谁。归附于大道，人们就不会相互残害，天下将会稳定、太平。只是，声色美食之类的感官诱惑，总是轻易地就招引某些人不再奔赴大道！这些传道言谈，也许使人觉得淡然无味，觉得不值一顾，不值一听。但是，理解它而运用它，它的妙用是无穷无尽的！