the valley spirit dies not, aye the same;
the female mystery thus do we name.
its gate, from which at first they issued forth,
is called the root from which grew heaven and earth.
long and unbroken does its power remain,
used gently, and without the touch of pain.
谷神不死,是謂玄牝。玄牝之門,是謂天地根。綿綿若存,用之不勤。
【译文】:
虚神永远存在,可以称它为无比幽深的生殖之源。通向这个无比幽深的生殖之源的门径,就是这个天地世界的根本。它绵延存在而又若有若无,它施展的作用无穷无尽。