1There was something undefined and complete, coming into existence before Heaven and Earth.
2How still it was and formless, standing alone, and undergoing no change, reaching everywhere and in no danger (of being exhausted)!
3It may be regarded as the Mother of all things.
4I do not know its name, and I give it the designation of the Tao (the Way or Course).
5Making an effort (further) to give it a name I call it The Great.
6Great, it passes on (in constant flow).
7Passing on, it becomes remote.
8Having become remote, it returns.
9Therefore the Tao is great; Heaven is great; Earth is great; and the (sage) king is also great.
10In the universe there are four that are great, and the (sage) king is one of them.
11Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes its law from the Tao.
12The law of the Tao is its being what it is.