Laozi
執大象，天下往。 往而不害，安平大。 樂與餌，過客止。 道之出口，淡乎其無味， 視之不足見，聽之不足聞， 用之不足既。
James Legge
To him who holds in his hands the Great Image (of the invisible Tao), 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 Tao 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.
Victor H. Mair
Hold fast to the great image and all under heaven will come; They will come but not be harmed, rest in safety and peace; Music and fine food will make the passerby halt. Therefore, When the Way is expressed verbally, We say such things as “how bland and tasteless it is!” “We look for it, but there is not enough to be seen.” “We listen for it, but there is not enough to be heard.” Yet, when put to use, it is inexhaustible!
C. Spurgeon Medhurst
Apprehend the inimitable conception, you attract the world; coming it receives no harm, but is tranquil, peaceful, satisfied. [^1]
Like transient guests, music and dainties pass away.
The Tao entering the mouth is insipid and without flavor; when looked at it evades sight; when listened for it escapes the ear—(yet) its operations are interminable.
Peace, prosperity, permanence of Empire, are according to the 72nd Psalm (attributed by tradition to Solomon), dependent on the righteousness of the King’s rule—who apprehends the Inimitable, The Supreme, “The Hidden Wisdom” (I Cor. ii, 6-30) is omnipotent, “the Alpha and the Omega,” the Ruler who directs the destinies of all. Yet THIS, which is ALL is NO-THING.
(Cf. The Classic of Purity.)
[^1] The text may be read in two ways and it is impossible to say which is correct. It may be rendered as in the translation, or it may be understood thus—“Apprehend the Inimitable Conception. Go throughout the world; go, without harm, you will remain tranquil, peaceful, satisfied.” The Chinese may be read either way, and from the viewpoint of The Wisdom both interpretations are equally true.
Ursula K. Le Guin
Hold fast to the great thought and all the world will come to you, harmless, peaceable, serene.
Walking around, we stop for music, for food. But if you taste the Way it’s flat, insipid. It looks like nothing much, it sounds like nothing much. And yet you can’t get enough of it.