What is the literal translation of the first line of the Tao Te Ching?
The Dao that can be told is not the eternal and unchanging Dao is already a literal translation.

道可道非常道


[The] Dao (道) [that] can (可) [be] told (道) [is] not (非) [the] eternal/unchanging (常) Dao (道)

A text that is written almost deliberately to be interpreted in multiple ways does not have a &quot;the literal translation&quot;.