In sympathy with the extraordinary, 1
And in love with the strange,
Scorns the world and is unmindful of prestige. 2
He cuts loose from human endeavor and leaves it behind.
He gazes up at the lofty, longing for the days of old. 3
He ponders lengthily, his thoughts wandering afar.
He would
Climb Mount Chi, in order to maintain his moral integrity; 4
Or float on the blue sea to wander with his ambition.
II
So he invites his trusted friends, 5
Gathering about himself a group of like-minded.
He gets at the essence of the ultimate secret of life. 6
He grinds away at the subtle mysteries of Tao and Te.
He regrets that the common people have not yet reached enlightenment 7
He alone, surpassing all others, has first awakened.