Heaven spans on and on, Earth is long ancient
Heaven and Earth reach so far, and last so long,
For they are not born from or for their Self, granting them enduring life!
The Sage knows this, and leaves their Self behind, yet their Self prospers
Their person is foreign to them, so their person endures
Is it not because the Sage has no Self-interest, that they are able to realise it?

天長地久
天地所以能長且久者
以其不自生，故能長生
是以聖人後其身而身先
外其身而身存
非以其無私邪，故能成其私