The Tao that can be trodden is not the enduring and unchanging Tao.

道可道，非常道；

The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name.

名可名，非常名。

(Conceived of as) having no name, it is the Originator of heaven and earth;

无，名天地之始；

(conceived of as) having a name, it is the Mother of all things.

有，名万物之母。

Always without desire we must be found, If its deep mystery we would sound;

故常无，欲以观其妙；

But if desire always within us be, Its outer fringe is all that we shall see.

常有，欲以观其徼。

Under these two aspects, it is really the same; but as development takes place, it receives the different names.

此两者同出而异名，

Together we call them the Mystery.

同谓之玄，

wher the Mystery is the deepest is the gate of all that is subtle and wonderful.

玄之又玄，众妙之门。

《道德经》又名《老子》、《五千言》，相传是老子避祸出函谷关，应当地总兵尹喜之邀，留下的五千言文字。多为修身、治国、用兵、养生之道。