I decided to translate the first verses of my favorite spiritual text, the Tao Te Ching, into Latin (don’t ask why). I based it on my favorite translation, the one by Stephen Mitchell, but I added my own interpretation. I haven’t translated Latin in years, so my conjugation is probably off here and there.

 

Via monstrare potest non est via vera.
Nomen vocare potest non est nomen verum.
Innomine, veritas aeternus est.
Nomine, mater res decamilles est.

Cupire absolvus, mysterius intelleges.
Cupire irretitus, res decamilles solum intelleges.
Sed mysterius atque res decamilles ab origo idem emaniunt.
Hoc origus calligatius est.

Calligatius intra calligatio,
portus sensu omne.