Quote From Daodejing Chapter 41 Translation (By a Beginner)

Hi! I hope my translation of this Daoist quote is accurate enough for you! When I came across this quote, I realized that some modern readers may find most translations of the quote confusing. I decided to write my own translation, which I hope will be helpful. 

Please keep in mind while reading my translation: 

  • I am far from fluent in the Mandarin language and have little experience in translation

  • My translation is more of a direct translation, ignoring metaphors for the more specific meaning. 

  1. 上士聞道，勤而行之;
    When the best students hear of the Way, they forever diligently practice it;

  2. 中士聞道，若存若亡；
    The uncommitted students come, question if the Way exists, and then leave;

  3. 下士聞道，大笑之。
    The worst students see the path and laugh, leaving it behind.

  4. 不笑，不足以為道。
    If it were not laughed at, it would not be The Way

  5. 故建言有以教之：
    So follow the paradoxes of the Way:

  6. 明道若昧；
    The light appears dark;

  7. 進道若退；
    Progress seems like regression;

  8. 夷道若穡；
    The smooth past seems rough;

  9. 上德若谷；
    The highest virtue seems like the lowest;

  10. 白德若污；
    The purest seem like the filthiest;

  11. 廣德若不足；
    Boundless moral character seems insufficient;

  12. 建德若尢；
    Stable virtue seems weak;

  13. 大方無隅1；
    Boundless comfort seems like a jail;

  14. 大器晚成；
    The great accomplishments never appear finished until the very end;

  15. 大音希聲；
    The great music seems like the softest noise;

  16. 大象無形。
    The greatest things have no visible shape

  17. 夫道隱於無名，
    And so, the Way is hidden in the nameless,

  18. 夫唯道，善始且善成。
    And the Way is the only thing good at both the beginning and the end.

Thank you for reading! If you encounter an error in my translation or have any questions I can answer, please leave a comment or review to notify me. 

Do I have a translation of any other quotes from this novel?
Nope! You’re on your own. Good luck!

1Alternative Translations: “The great square has no corners” or “The Dao is so vast it has no boundaries or limitations”

Original: 

上士聞道，勤而行之;中士聞道，若存若亡；下士聞道，大笑之。 不笑，不足以為道。故建言有以教之：明道若昧；進道若退；夷道若穡；上德若谷；白德若污；廣德若不足；建德若尢；大方無隅；大器晚成；大音希聲；大象無形。夫道隱於無名，夫唯道，善始且善成。

My Translation: 

When the best students hear of the Way, they forever diligently practice it; The uncommitted students come, question if the Way exists, and leave; The worst students see the path and laugh, leaving it behind. If it were not laughed at, it would not be The Way, So follow the paradoxes of the Way: The light appears dark; Progress seems like regression; The smooth past seems rough; The highest virtue seems like the lowest; The purest seem like the filthiest; Boundless moral character seems insufficient; Stable virtue seems weak; Boundless comfort seems like a jail; The great accomplishments never appear finished until the very end; The great music seems like softest noise; The greatest things have no visible shape. And so, the Way is hidden in the nameless, and the Way is the only thing good at both the beginning and the end.