Below is the chapter from two excellent sources along with the original Chinese text. The first source is from a translation by D.T. Suzuki & Paul Carus in 1913 followed by a translation by Stephen Mitchell in 1988.
Chapter 20
1. Abandon learnedness, and you have no vexation. The "yes" compared with the "yea," how little do they differ! But the good compared with the bad, how much do they differ!
2. If what the people dread cannot be made dreadless, there will be desolation, alas! and verily, there will be no end of it.
3. The multitudes of men are happy, so happy, as though celebrating a great feast. They are as though in springtime ascending a tower. I alone remain quiet, alas! like one that has not yet received an omen. I am like unto a babe that does not yet smile.
4. Forlorn am I, O so forlorn! It appears that I have no place whither I may return home.
5. The multitude of men all have plenty and I alone appear empty. Alas! I am a man whose heart is foolish.
6. Ignorant am I, O, so ignorant! Common people are bright, so bright, I alone am dull.
7. Common people are smart, so smart, I alone am confused, so confused.
8. Desolate am I, alas! like the sea. Adrift, alas! like one who has no place where to stay.
9. The multitude of men all possess usefulness. I alone am awkward and a rustic too. I alone differ from others, but I prize seeking sustenance from our mother.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stop thinking, and end your problems.
What difference between yes and no?
What difference between success and failure?
Must you value what others value,
avoid what others avoid?
How ridiculous!
Other people are excited,
as though they were at a parade.
I alone don't care,
I alone am expressionless,
like an infant before it can smile.
Other people have what they need;
I alone possess nothing.
I alone drift about,
like someone without a home.
I am like an idiot, my mind is so empty.
Other people are bright;
I alone am dark.
Other people are sharp;
I alone am dull.
Other people have purpose;
I alone don't know.
I drift like a wave on the ocean,
I blow as aimless as the wind.
I am different from ordinary people.
I drink from the Great Mother's breasts.
2. If what the people dread cannot be made dreadless, there will be desolation, alas! and verily, there will be no end of it.
3. The multitudes of men are happy, so happy, as though celebrating a great feast. They are as though in springtime ascending a tower. I alone remain quiet, alas! like one that has not yet received an omen. I am like unto a babe that does not yet smile.
4. Forlorn am I, O so forlorn! It appears that I have no place whither I may return home.
5. The multitude of men all have plenty and I alone appear empty. Alas! I am a man whose heart is foolish.
6. Ignorant am I, O, so ignorant! Common people are bright, so bright, I alone am dull.
7. Common people are smart, so smart, I alone am confused, so confused.
8. Desolate am I, alas! like the sea. Adrift, alas! like one who has no place where to stay.
9. The multitude of men all possess usefulness. I alone am awkward and a rustic too. I alone differ from others, but I prize seeking sustenance from our mother.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stop thinking, and end your problems.
What difference between yes and no?
What difference between success and failure?
Must you value what others value,
avoid what others avoid?
How ridiculous!
Other people are excited,
as though they were at a parade.
I alone don't care,
I alone am expressionless,
like an infant before it can smile.
Other people have what they need;
I alone possess nothing.
I alone drift about,
like someone without a home.
I am like an idiot, my mind is so empty.
Other people are bright;
I alone am dark.
Other people are sharp;
I alone am dull.
Other people have purpose;
I alone don't know.
I drift like a wave on the ocean,
I blow as aimless as the wind.
I am different from ordinary people.
I drink from the Great Mother's breasts.
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