此三者，不可致诘，故混而为一。
These three, because they cannot be further scrutinized, blend into one,
其上不皎，其下不昧。
its rising brings no light; its sinking, no darkness.
绳绳不可名，复归于无物。
Endless the series of things without name on the way back to where there is nothing.
是谓无状之状，无物之象，是谓惚恍。
They are called shapeless shapes; Forms without form; are called vague semblance.
迎之不见其首，随之不见其后。
Go towards them, and you can see no front; go after them, and you see no rear.
执古之道，以御今之有。
Yet by seizing on the Way that was You can ride the things that are now.
能知古始，是谓道纪。
For to know what once there was, in the Beginning, this is called the essence of the Way.