Verse 20: Postmodern Individualism

絕學無憂.
Terminate schooling, and there will be no worries.
唯之與阿，
"I" and "He"
相去幾何﹖
How different can they be?
善之與惡，
"Good" and "Evil"
相去若何﹖
How different can they be?
人之所畏，
What people fear,
不可不畏。
we learn to fear.
荒兮其未央哉！
Being "Uncultivated" is merely lacking a center!
眾人熙熙
The masses rejoice
如享太牢
as if enjoying a big sacrifice
如春登臺。
as if at the spring festival.
我獨泊兮其未兆，
I alone remain still, without any expression,
如嬰兒之未孩；
Like an infant who has not learned to laugh.
儽儽兮若無所歸。
Weary as if without a place to return.
眾人皆有餘，
Everyone has much to spare,
而我獨若遺。
Yet I, living alone, seem to be lost.
我愚人之心也哉！
I have the spirit of a fool!
沌沌兮俗人昭昭
Greatly confused. The vulgar people shine brightly,
我獨昏昏；
Only I seem muddle-headed.
俗人察察，
The vulgar are clever and sharp,
我獨悶悶。
Only I seem dull and boring.
眾人皆有以，
Everyone has many uses
而我獨頑且鄙。
Yet I seem stubborn and primitive.
我獨異於人，
I am very strange amongst men,
而貴食母。
For valuing the nourishment of the Source.

Comments
Laozi predicted postmodernism! Being uncultured is simply not willing to accept a moral/ethical center.