显德
原文
古之善为士者，微妙玄通，深不可识。夫唯不可识，故强为之容。豫兮若冬涉川；犹兮若畏四邻；俨兮其若容；涣兮若冰之将释；敦兮其若朴；旷兮其若谷；混兮其若浊；孰能浊以静之徐清？孰能安以久动之徐生？保此道者，不欲盈。夫唯不盈，故能蔽不新成。
王弼注
古之善为士者，微妙玄通，深不可识。夫唯不可识，故强为之容：豫兮若冬涉川，冬之涉川，豫然若欲度，若不欲度，其情不可得见之貌也。犹兮若畏四邻，四邻合攻，中央之主，犹然不知所趣向者也。上德之人，其端兆不可覩，德趣不可见，亦犹此也。俨兮其若客，涣兮若冰之将释，敦兮其若朴，旷兮其若谷，浑兮其若浊。凡此诸若，皆言其容，象不可得而形名也。孰能浊以静之徐清？孰能安以久动之徐生？夫晦以理物则得明，浊以静物则得清，安以动物则得生，此自然之道也。孰能者，言其难也。徐者，详慎也。保此道者不欲盈，盈必溢也。夫唯不盈，故能蔽不新成。蔽，覆盖也。
英文 · James Legge
(The exhibition of the qualities of the Dao) The skilful masters (of the Dao) in old times, with a subtle and exquisite penetration, comprehended its mysteries, and were deep (also) so as to elude men's knowledge. As they were thus beyond men's knowledge, I will make an effort to describe of what sort they appeared to be. Shrinking looked they like those who wade through a stream in winter; irresolute like those who are afraid of all around them; grave like a guest (in awe of his host); evanescent like ice that is melting away; unpretentious like wood that has not been fashioned into anything; vacant like a valley, and dull like muddy water. Who can (make) the muddy water (clear)? Let it be still, and it will gradually become clear. Who can secure the condition of rest? Let movement go on, and the condition of rest will gradually arise. They who preserve this method of the Dao do not wish to be full (of themselves). It is through their not being full of themselves that they can afford to seem worn and not appear new and complete.