As the worldly writers, we chiefly care

To occupy ourselves with operations

Of Heaven and Earth, and do not try

To rise above the myriads of things.

We do not condemn the agreements

And differences, so that we might live

In peace with the prevalent viewpoints.

Though our writings may seem to be

Sparkling trifles, there is no harm

In amusing all kindly souls with them;

Though our phraseology is to be

Ever-varying, its turns and changes

Are worth being looked at--the fullness

And completeness of our ideas

Cannot be exhausted so fast.

Above we seek delight in the heavens;

Below we have a friendly regard to those

Who frankly consider life and death

As having neither beginning nor end.

As regards our dealing with the Origin

Of things, we are comprehensive and great,

Opening up new views: deep, vast and free.

As regards the Path and its Milestones,

We may be pronounced exact and correct,

Carrying our thoughts to range and

Play on high in the meantime. Nevertheless,

On the subject of transformation and change,

And emancipation of that from the thraldom

Of things, our principles are inexhaustible and

Cannot be fully explained in such a short verse.