仁德

原文

执大象，天下往。往而不害，安平大。乐与饵，过客止。道之出口，淡乎其无味，视之不足见，听之不足闻，用之不足既。

王弼注

执大象，天下往。大象，天象之母也，不寒不温不凉，故能包统万物，无所犯伤，主若执之，则天下往也。往而不害，安平太。无形无识，不偏不彰，故万物得往而不害妨也。乐与饵，过客止。道之出口，淡乎其无味，视之不足见，听之不足闻，用之不可既。言道之深大，人闻道之言乃更不如乐与饵应时感悦人心也。乐与饵则能令过客止，而道之出言，淡然无味，视之不足见则不足以悦其目，听之不足闻则不足以娱其耳，若无所中然乃用之不可穷极也。

英文 · James Legge

(The attribute of benevolence) To him who holds in his hands the Great Image (of the invisible Dao), the whole world repairs. Men resort to him, and receive no hurt, but (find) rest, peace, and the feeling of ease. Music and dainties will make the passing guest stop (for a time). But though the Dao as it comes from the mouth, seems insipid and has no flavour, though it seems not worth being looked at or listened to, the use of it is inexhaustible.