Imagine a nebulous thing here before Heaven and Earth
Subtle and elusive
Dwelling apart and unconstrained
It could be the mother of us all
Not knowing its name, I call it the Tao
Forced to describe it, I describe it as great
Great means ever-flowing
Ever-flowing means far-reaching
Far-reaching means returning
The Tao is great
Heaven is great
Earth is great
The ruler is also great
The realm contains Four Greats
Of which the ruler is but one
Humankind imitates Earth
Earth imitates Heaven
Heaven imitates the Tao
and the Tao imitates itself
