含德之厚。 比於赤子。

He who possesses virtue in all its solidity is like unto a little child.

Wer der Tugend Fülle in sich hat, gleicht dem neugeborenen Kinde.

蜂 蠆虺 蛇不螫。猛獸不據。

Venomous reptiles do not stinghim, fierce beasts do not seize him.

Giftiges Gewürm sticht es nicht, reißende Tiere packen es nicht,

攫鳥不持。

Birds of prey do not strike him.

Raubvögel stoßen es nicht.

骨弱筋柔而握固。

His bones are weak, his sinews tender, but his grasp is firm.

Seine Knochen sind schwach, die Sehnen weich, und doch greift es fest zu.

未知牝牡之合而全作。

He does not yet know the relation between male and female, but his virility is strong.

Es kennt noch nicht die Vereinigung von Weib und Mann, und doch steigt seine Zeugungskraft,

精之至也。

Thus his metal grows to perfection.

aus der Fülle des Samens.

終日號而不嗄。

A whole day he might cry and sob without growing hoarse.

Den ganzen Tag schreit es, und doch wird die Kehle nicht heiser,

和之至也。

This shows the perfection of his harmony.

aus der Fülle des Einklangs.

知和曰常。

To know the harmonious is called the eternal.

Den Einklang kennen, heißt Ewigkeit,

知常曰明。

To know the eternal is called enlightenment.

Das Ewige kennen, Erleuchtetheit;

益生曰祥。

To increase life is called a blessing,

Voll leben, heißt Unseligkeit,

心使氣曰強。

and heartdirected vitality is called strength,

Das Herz an Lebensodem binden, Kräftigkeit.

物壯則老、謂之不道。

but things vigorous are about to grow old and I call this un-Reason.

Was stark geworden ist, ergreist, Und das ist, was man Tao-los heißt.

不道早已。

Un-Reason soon ceases !

Was Tao-los ist, das endet früh.