Chapter 15

1. The skilful¹ masters (of the Tao) in old times, with a subtle and exquisite² penetration³, comprehended its mysteries, and were deep (also) so as to elude⁴ 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.

2. Shrinking looked they like those who wade⁵ through a stream in winter; irresolute⁶ like those who are afraid of all around them; grave like a guest (in awe⁷ 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.

3. 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.

4. They who preserve this method of the Tao 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.

       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，俨兮其若客；
       涣兮若冰之将释，敦兮其若朴，旷兮其若谷；
　　   混兮其若浊。
       孰能浊以澄？静之徐清；
       孰能安以久？动之徐生。
       保此道者不欲盈。
       夫唯不盈，故能敝而新成。

【译文】
       古来善于当士的人们，微妙、幽深而通达权变，深邃得令人难以测识。正因为难以测识，所以要勉强作形容：有时候，他们迟疑审慎得像是在冬天里涉足江河，警觉戒备得像是随处都有强敌环俟，恭谨自持得像是一直都在做客；有时候，他们又像冰块就要崩解融化一样松跨散漫，敦敦朴朴的，看不出什么突出的能耐，旷放豁达得就像虚空一样；他们的那些似乎不相调谐的多面目表现使他们显得很浑浊。

       哪些人能在混浊中保持本心的澄明？能注意守静就能渐趋本心的澄明；哪些人能使安稳得到长久的维持？懂得灵动权变就能渐得长久的安稳。保持这种生存方式的基本点就是不去追求"无不具足"。正因为没有"无不具足"，所以能历久而常新。

1 skilful   

(=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的

参考例句：

• The more you practise,the more skilful you'll become.练习的次数越多，熟练的程度越高。
• He's not very skilful with his chopsticks.他用筷子不大熟练。

2 exquisite   

adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的

参考例句：

• I was admiring the exquisite workmanship in the mosaic.我当时正在欣赏镶嵌画的精致做工。
• I still remember the exquisite pleasure I experienced in Bali.我依然记得在巴厘岛所经历的那种剧烈的快感。

3 penetration   

n.穿透，穿人，渗透

参考例句：

• He is a man of penetration.他是一个富有洞察力的人。
• Our aim is to achieve greater market penetration.我们的目标是进一步打入市场。

4 elude   

v.躲避，困惑

参考例句：

• If you chase it,it will elude you.如果你追逐着它， 它会躲避你。
• I had dared and baffled his fury.I must elude his sorrow.我曾经面对过他的愤怒，并且把它挫败了；现在我必须躲避他的悲哀。

5 wade   

v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉

参考例句：

• We had to wade through the river to the opposite bank.我们只好涉水过河到对岸。
• We cannot but wade across the river.我们只好趟水过去。

6 irresolute   

adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的

参考例句：

• Irresolute persons make poor victors.优柔寡断的人不会成为胜利者。
• His opponents were too irresolute to call his bluff.他的对手太优柔寡断,不敢接受挑战。

7 awe   

n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧

参考例句：

• The sight filled us with awe.这景色使我们大为惊叹。
• The approaching tornado struck awe in our hearts.正在逼近的龙卷风使我们惊恐万分。