Translation

The way possible to think, runs counter to the constant way.
The name possible to express runs counter to the constant name.
Without description, the universe began.
Of the describable universe, the origin.
Hence, normally without desire so as to observe its wonder.
Normally having desire so as to observe its boundary.
These two are the same coming out, yet differ in name.
The same, meaning dark and mysterious.
Dark and dark again, the multitude subtle gateway.

way (road, principle; speak; think, suppose) approve (can; may; fit; suit) way (road, principle; speak; think, suppose), wrong (run counter to) ordinary (normal; constant; invariable; usually) way (road, principle; speak; think, suppose).

name (express; describe) approve (can; may; fit; suit) name (express; describe), wrong (run counter to) ordinary (normal; constant; invariable; usually) name (express; describe).

nothing (nil; without) name (express; describe) heaven and earth (world; universe) of beginning (start).

have (there is; exist)  name (express; describe) all things on earth of mother (origin; parent).

incident (hence; cause) ordinary (normal; constant; invariable; usually) nothing (nil; without) desire use (take; so as to) observe its wonderful (excellent).

ordinary (normal; constant; invariable; usually) have (there is; exist)  desire use (take; so as to) observe its boundary (by mere luck)

this two (both; either) same (together) come out (exceed; go beyond; happen) yet different (strange; separate) name (express; describe),

same (together) say (call; meaning; sense) of  black (dark; mysterious; profound).

black (dark; mysterious; profound) of also (again) black (dark; mysterious; profound),  many (numerous; crowd) wonderful (excellent; fine; subtle) door (gate; valve; switch)

Original

道可道，
非常道。
名可名，
非常名。
无名天地之始。
有名万物之母。
故常无欲以观其妙。
常有欲以观其徼。
此两者同出而异名，
同谓之玄。
玄之又玄，
众妙之门。

Commentary – October 2008

This old dog’s got to learn a few new tricks to deal with this new format. In the meantime I’ll just flog away, starting today.

I’m not sure what to do about the translations and commentaries. I’ve dumped out two decades worth of commentary using D.C. Lau’s translation. Now, in translating it myself, the translation is, in truth, also a commentary; meaning that interpretation and translation can not be anything other than commentary in the final view. If you feel ‘reality is in the eye of the beholder’ you’ll agree I expect.

Anyway, here is how I see chapter 1 today. You’ll note some striking differences between the ‘normal way’ it is usually translated and what I’ve done here. It tickles my mind’s eye. Who knows what I’ll see when I next revisit this chapter. First the more readable translation (yet with a minimum of poet license), followed by a translation of the literal Chinese. Note: I revisited this chapter a bit today (Jan 2011). I found a better match. The terse Chinese often offers much leeway in translation which helps blunt the sharpness, soften the glare. On the other hand, I like to get as close as possible to the chapter’s intent. I’ve moved the 2008 version to the bottom on this page.

Translation  (October 2008)

The way worth thinking, runs counter to the normal way.
The name worth expressing runs counter to the normal name.
Without description, the universe began.
Of the describable universe, the origin.
Hence, normally without desire, so as to observe its wonder.
Normally having desire, so as to observe its fate.
These two come out together, yet separate in description.
Coming out together, meaning dark and mysterious.
Dark and dark again – mysterious.