【原文】
知人者智，自知者明。
胜人者有力，自胜者强。
知足者富。
强行者有志。
不失其所者久。
死而不亡者寿。
【现代汉语】
能够正确的认识别人是智慧，能正确的认识自己是高明。
能战胜别人是有力，能战胜自己是刚强。
知道满足就是富有。
能够努力不懈才算是真正的有志向。
不离失根基就能够长久。
身死而不被遗忘是真正的长寿。
【英译】
He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is advisable.
He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is doughty.
He who is satisfied with his lot is rich.
He who goes on acting with energy has a firm will.
He who does lose his duty and groundwork continues long.
He who dies yet his spirit remains has longevity.
【备注】
老子善用排比，形式美，气势美，道理更美。
如果现代人以本章的内容对照自己，严格地说，大多数人一条也不能真正做到，能够领悟这个“道”确实不容易啊。这也就是“强行者有志”所强调的内容。老子所提到的“强行”(努力不懈)和我们现在的理解不同，不是指对事业、金钱、物质等等的追求，而是针对个人内心之“朴”的追求和磨练。也就是对“道”修证。