Tao Te Ching · Chapter 20

Chinese text

絕學無憂，唯之與阿，相去幾何？善之與惡，相去若何？人之所畏，不可不畏。
荒兮其未央哉﹗
眾人熙熙，如享太牢，如春登臺。
我獨泊兮其未兆，如嬰兒之未孩；
儽儽兮若無所歸。
眾人皆有餘，而我獨若遺。
我愚人之心也哉﹗
沌沌兮，
俗人昭昭，
我獨昏昏。俗人察察，
我獨悶悶。澹兮其若海，
飂兮若無止。
眾人皆有以，
而我獨頑似鄙。
我獨異於人，而貴食母。

English support translation

When we renounce learning we have no troubles.

The (ready) 'yes,' and (flattering) 'yea;'--

Small is the difference they display.

But mark their issues, good and ill;--

What space the gulf between shall fill?

What all men fear is indeed to be feared; but how wide and without end is the range of questions (asking to be discussed)!

The multitude of men look satisfied and pleased; as if enjoying a full banquet, as if mounted on a tower in spring. I alone seem listless and still, my desires having as yet given no indication of their presence. I am like an infant which has not yet smiled. I look dejected and forlorn, as if I had no home to go to. The multitude of men all have enough and to spare. I alone seem to have lost everything. My mind is that of a stupid man; I am in a state of chaos.

Ordinary men look bright and intelligent, while I alone seem to be benighted. They look full of discrimination, while I alone am dull and confused. I seem to be carried about as on the sea, drifting as if I had nowhere to rest. All men have their spheres of action, while I alone seem dull and incapable, like a rude borderer. (Thus) I alone am different from other men, but I value the nursing-mother (the Tao).