一孔录The video for this chapter is still in production. For now this page gives the original text, the facsimile page, a working translation and the commentary; the full reading follows when the video is out.
古之善為士者，微妙玄通，深不可識。夫唯不可識，故强為之容：豫焉若冬涉川，猶兮若畏四鄰，儼兮其若容，渙兮若冰之將釋，敦兮其若樸，曠兮其若谷，混兮其若濁。孰能濁以靜之徐清？孰能安以久動之徐生？保此道者不欲盈。夫唯不盈，故能蔽不新成。Those of old who were good at being officers were subtle, mysterious, profound, and penetrating, too deep to be known. Because they cannot be known, I can only describe them by force: hesitant, as if crossing a river in winter; wary, as if fearing neighbors on all sides; dignified, like a guest; yielding, like ice about to melt; simple, like uncarved wood; open, like a valley; murky, like muddy water. Who can make the muddy still and slowly clear? Who can make the calm move for long and slowly come to life? Those who keep this Way do not wish to be full. Because they are not full, they can stay worn and not be newly made.
What this chapter says
一孔按：真会做事的人，跟道一样看不透，只能说他像什么；他看上去慢，是仔细小心，让浑水自己静下来变清；他不求满，因为满了就溢。王弼注原话：凡此诸若，皆言其容象不可得而形名也；浊以静物则得清，安以动物则得生；盈必溢也。
Yikonglu's reading of this chapter is in Chinese for now; the English version comes with the video.
白Plain Chinese
古时善于行道的人，精微玄妙而通达，深不可测。正因为测不透，只能勉强描摹他：小心谨慎啊，像冬天蹚水过河；警觉戒惧啊，像提防四邻；端庄恭敬啊，像做客；涣然舒散啊，像冰将化开；敦厚朴实啊，像未经雕琢的木头；空阔啊，像山谷；浑厚啊，像浊水。谁能在浑浊中安静下来，让它慢慢变清？谁能在安定中动起来，让生机慢慢生出？守住这个道的人，不求盈满。正因为不求盈满，所以能守着旧有而不求新成。
Draft plain-Chinese rendering following Wang Bi; it will be checked when the chapter is taught.
⇢Reading routes through this chapter
看Watch this chapter
The video for this chapter is in production and will appear here. Follow Yikonglu to see it first:YouTubeBilibili
Found an error in this chapter? Email us; once checked, it goes on the errata page under your username: 
