第二十章

學無憂，唯之與阿，相去幾何？善之與惡，相去若何？人之所畏，不可不畏。荒兮其未央哉！衆人熙熙，如享太牢，如春登臺。我獨怕兮其未兆；如嬰兒之未孩；儽儽兮若無所歸。衆人皆有餘，而我獨若遺。我愚人之心也哉！沌沌兮，俗人昭昭，我獨若昏。俗人察察，我獨悶悶。澹兮其若海，飂兮若無止，衆人皆有以，而我獨頑似鄙。我獨異於人，而貴食母。

白話譯文：棄絕後天擾攘的學習，免除憂愁煩惱吧！人家唯唯諾諾說你好，或者人家拿言語呵斥你，那相去有多遠啊！人家評價是善，或者人家評價是惡，兩者距離可有多遠啊！人家所畏懼的，我們也就不可以不畏懼，這是世事之然啊！不過，大道廣闊，無涯無際，永不停歇！世俗大眾，熙熙嚷嚷，好像享用了豐富的宴席一般，好似春日裡登臺遠眺一般，總湊個熱鬧！唯獨我澹泊的、寧靜的，起不了什麼兆頭，就好像那還沒長大的嬰兒一般。閒散悠遊，沒有什麼特定的目的，好像無家可歸似的。世俗大眾總要為自己打算，留個有餘，而我獨獨像是有所缺憾一般！我守著愚人之心啊！渾渾沌沌的啊！世俗人求的是烜赫顯耀，我獨獨喜歡默默無名。世俗人總好精明能幹，我獨獨喜歡渾渾無心。心地恬澹好像大海一般，飂闊無涯，永無邊際。世俗大眾總要個目的、有個憑藉，而我獨獨固守自然，寧願鄙陋。我獨獨不同於一般世俗大眾，我所尊貴的是回到母親的懷抱，渴飲母愛甘泉！

Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.

Is there a difference between yes and no?
Is there a difference between good and evil?
Must I fear what others fear? What nonsence!
Other people are contented, enjoying the sacrificial feast of the ox.
In spring some go to the park, and climb the terrace,
But I alone am drifting not knowing where I am.
Like a new-born babe before it learns to smile,
I am alone, without a place to go.

Other have more than they need, but I alone have nothing.
I am a fool. Oh, yes! I am confused.
Other men are clear and bright,
But I alone am dim and weak.
Other men are sharp and clever,
But I alone am dull and stupid.
Oh, I drift like the waves of the sea.
Without direction, like the restless wind.

Everyone else is busy,
But I alone am aimless and depressed.
I am different.
I am nourished by the great mother.