1. (those who) possessed in highest degree the attributes (of the tao) did not (seek) to show them, and therefore they possessed them (in fullest measure). (those who) possessed in a lower degree those attributes (sought how) not to lose them, and therefore they did not possess them (in fullest measure).
2. (those who) possessed in the highest degree those attributes did nothing (with a purpose), and had no need to do anything. (those who) possessed them in a lower degree were (always) doing, and had need to be so doing.
3. (those who) possessed the highest benevolence were (always seeking) to carry it out, and had no need to be doing so. (those who) possessed the highest righteousness were (always seeking) to carry it out, and had need to be so doing.
4. (those who) possessed the highest (sense of) propriety were (always seeking) to show it, and when men did not respond to it, they bared the arm and marched up to them.
5. thus it was that when the tao was lost, its attributes appeared; when its attributes were lost, benevolence appeared; when benevolence was lost, righteousness appeared; and when righteousness was lost, the proprieties appeared.
6. now propriety is the attenuated form of leal-heartedness and good faith, and is also the commencement of disorder; swift apprehension is (only) a flower of the tao, and is the beginning of stupidity.
7. thus it is that the great man abides by what is solid, and eschews what is flimsy; dwells with the fruit and not with the flower. it is thus that he puts away the one and makes choice of the other.
上德不德，是以有德；下德不失德，是以无德。
上德无为而无以为；下德为之而有以为。
上仁为之而无以为；上义为之而有以为。
上礼为之而莫之应，则攘臂而扔之。
故失道而后德，失德而后仁，失仁而后义，失义而后礼。
夫礼者，忠信之薄而乱之首也；前识者，道之华而愚之始也。
是以大丈夫，处其厚，不处其薄；居其实，不居其华。故去彼取此。
【译文】
上德者不彰显德名，因此有德；下德者张扬德名以示不失德，因此无德。上德者无所成为，因此也就没有什么固着于某一德名道貌的作为；而下德者却总是撑着一幅德名道貌多作多为。出之于仁爱之心的作为是不恃德名不摆道貌的；出之于道义责任感的作为则显摆德名道貌以资凭恃；出之于礼范仪轨的作为如果没有得到相应的应答，人们就拔臂牵拽，强其履行。所以，离开了道才会去考量合于道的程度的德，德位的沉降才突显出人们的仁爱之心，仁爱之心的疏失才去激发社会的道义责任感，道义责任感的消退才去审订各种礼范仪轨。礼范仪轨这些东西，是以忠诚、信用为其主要内涵的道义感召力日趋淡薄时的产物，由此社会开始走向混乱；各种现行的社会知见，不过是此前道途的行道设施的衍展铺张，用它来踏上新途，那是愚蠢的开始！因此，脱落形骸的大丈夫，但向日趋敦厚的方向不断进取，绝不拘泥于位处浇薄未端的礼仪的拘束；但求其之所以然的核心真髓，绝不牵累于一时的衍展铺张。所以要有所取舍。
