The valley spirit does not die. Called the dark female, its gate is the root from which heaven and earth came forth — drawn on and on, and never used up.
1The valley spirit dies not, aye the same; The female mystery thus do we name.
2Its gate, from which at first they issued forth, Is called the root from which grew heaven and earth.
3Long and unbroken does its power remain, Used gently, and without the touch of pain.
The notes printed with this chapter in Chinese editions, kept in Chinese, for readers who come to the text that way.
1谷：形容虚空。神：形容不测的变化。
2玄牝(pìn)：象征深远而看不见的生育万物的总根源，这里用以形容“道”的不可思议的生殖力。牝，生殖。
3是谓：这叫作。
4绵绵：冥冥无形象，连续不断的样子。
5不勤：不劳倦，不穷竭。勤，尽。