Chapter 34
大道泛兮
大道泛兮，
其可左右。
万物恃之以生而不辞，
功成不名有，
衣养万物而不为主。
常无欲，
可名于小；
万物归焉而不为主，
可名为大。
以其终不自为大，
故能成其大。
a> The Great Dao flows everywhere, at our every right and left. Relying upon it, the things of the world are born, yet it remains wordless; its work done it takes no name as the doer.
b> Clothing and nourishing the things of the world, it never acts as their lord – constant without desire, it may be termed small. The things of the world return to it but it never acts as their lord – it may be termed great. Because it never takes itself to be great it is able to complete its greatness.
A modern classroom translation, with labeled subsections for study.
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