Way is the mystery of these ten thousand things.
It’s a good person’s treasure
and an evil person’s refuge.
Its beautiful words are bought and sold
and its noble deeds are gifts enriching people.
It never abandons even the evil among us.
When the Son of Heaven is enthroned
and the three dukes installed,
parades with jade discs and stately horses
can’t compare to sitting still in Way’s company.
Isn’t it said that
the ancients exalted this Way because
in it whatever we seek we find,
and whatever seeks us we escape?
No wonder it’s exalted throughout all beneath heaven.