ÿþ<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?> <?xml-stylesheet href="#ddj.css" type="text/css"?> <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "+//ISBN 0-9673008-1-9//DTD OEB 1.0 Document//EN" "oebdoc1.dtd"> <html> <head><title>Tao Te Ching</title> <link rel="stylesheet" href="#ddj.css" type="text/css" /> </head> <body> <hr /> <div class="myhead" id="tt1"> Tao Te Ching </div> <p class="1">|<a href="#tt2"> Next </a>|</p> <h1>TAO TE CHING</h1> <h3>by Lao Tzu(500 BC)</h3> <h3>Translated by Charles Muller</h3> <h4 id="t1">I.0TAO CHING</h4> <h2>Chapter 1</h2> <p>The Tao that can be followed <br />00is not the eternal Tao. <br />The name that can be named <br />00is not the eternal name. <br />The nameless is the origin of the universe <br />00while naming is the origin of everything. <br />Therefore, always desireless, you see the mystery <br />00ever desiring, you see the manifestations. <br />These two are the same-- <br />00when they are appear they are named differently. <br /> <br />Their sameness is the mystery, <br />00Mystery within mystery; <br />00The door to every profundity. </p> <h2 id="t2">Chapter 2</h2> <p>All in the world recognize the beautiful as beautiful. <br />Herein lies ugliness. <br />All recognize the good as good. <br />Herein lies evil. <br /> <br />Therefore being and non-being produce each other. <br />Difficulty and ease bring about each other. <br />Long and short delimit each other. <br />High and low rest on each other. <br />Sound and voice harmonize each other. <br />Front and back follow each other. <br /> <br />Therefore the sage abides in the condition of wu-wei (unattached action). <br />And carries out the wordless teaching. <br />Here, the myriad things are made, <br />00Yet not separated. <br /> <br />Therefore the sage produces without possessing, <br />00Acts without expectations <br />00and accomplishes without abiding in her accomplishments. <br /> <br />It is precisely because she does not abide in them <br />00that they never leave her. </p> <h2 id="t3">Chapter 3</h2> <p>If you do not adulate the worthy, <br />00you will make others non-contentious. <br />If you do not value rare treasures, <br />00you will stop others from stealing. <br />If people do not see desirables, <br />00they will not be agitated. <br /> <br />Therefore, <br />00when the sage governs, <br />00he clears peoples minds, <br />00fills their bellies, <br />00weakens their ambition and <br />00strengthens their bones. <br /> <br />If the people are kept <br />00without cleverness and desire <br />00it will make the intellectuals <br />00not dare to meddle. <br /> <br />Doing wu-wei, <br />00there is no lack of manageability. </p> <h2 id="t4">Chapter 4</h2> <p>The Tao is so vast that when you use it, something is always left. <br />How deep it is! <br />It seems to be the ancestor of the myriad things. <br />It blunts sharpness <br />00untangles knots <br />00softens the glare <br />00unifies with the mundane. <br />It is so full! <br />It seems to have remainder. <br /> <br />It is the child of I-don't-know-who. <br />And prior to the primeval Lord-on-high. </p> <h2 id="t5">Chapter 5</h2> <p>Heaven and Earth are not jen, <br />00and regard the people as straw dogs. <br />The sage is not jen, <br />00and regards all things as straw dogs. <br />The space between Heaven and Earth <br />00is just like a bellows: <br />Empty it, it is not exhausted. <br />Squeeze it and more comes out. <br /> <br />Investigating it with a lot of talk <br />00is not like holding to the center. </p> <h2 id="t6">Chapter 6</h2> <p>The valley spirit never dies. <br />It is called "the mysterious female." <br />The opening of the mysterious female <br />00is called "the root of Heaven and Earth." <br />Continuous, seeming to remain. <br />Use it without exertion. </p> <h2 id="t7">Chapter 7</h2> <p>Heaven and Earth last forever. <br />The reason that Heaven and Earth are able to last forever <br />00is because they do not give birth to themselves. <br />Therefore, they are always alive. <br />Hence, the sage puts herself last and is first. <br />She is outside herself and therefore her self lasts. <br /> <br />Is it not through her selflessness <br />00that she is able to perfect herself? </p> <h2 id="t8">Chapter 8</h2> <p>The highest goodness is like water. <br />Water easily benefits all things without struggle. <br />Yet it abides in places that men hate. <br />Therefore it is like the Tao. <br /> <br />For dwelling, <br />00the Earth is good. <br />For the mind, <br />00depth is good. <br />The goodness of giving is in the timing. <br />The goodness of speech is in honesty. <br />In government, <br />00self-mastery is good. <br />In handling affairs, <br />00ability is good. <br /> <br />If you do not struggle, <br />00you will not be blamed. </p> <h2 id="t9">Chapter 9</h2> <p>To hold until full is not as good as stopping. <br />An oversharpened sword cannot last long. <br />A room filled with gold and jewels cannot be protected. <br />Boasting of wealth and virtue brings your demise. <br />After finishing the work, withdraw. <br />This is the Way of Heaven. </p> <h2 id="t10">Chapter 10</h2> <p>Pacifying the agitated material soul and holding to oneness: <br />00Are you able to avoid separation? <br />Focusing your energy on the release of tension: <br />00Can you be like an infant? <br />In purifying your insight: <br />00Can you un-obstruct it? <br />Loving the people and ruling the state: <br />00Can you avoid over-manipulation? <br />In opening and closing the gate of Heaven: <br />00Can you be the female? <br />In illuminating the whole universe: <br />00Can you be free of rationality? <br /> <br />Give birth to it and nourish it. <br />Produce it but don't possess it. <br />Act without expectation. <br />Excel, but don't take charge. <br />This is called Mysterious Virtue. </p> <h2 id="t11">Chapter 11</h2> <p>Thirty spokes join together in the hub. <br />It is because of what is not there, that the cart is useful. <br />Clay is formed into a vessel. <br />It is because of its emptiness that the vessel is useful. <br />Cut doors and windows to make a room. <br />It is because of its emptiness that the room is useful. <br />Therefore, what is present is used for profit. <br />But it is in absence that there is usefulness. </p> <h2 id="t12">Chapter 12</h2> <p>The five colors blind our eyes. <br />The five tones deafen our ears. <br />The five flavors confuse our taste. <br />Racing and hunting madden out minds. <br />Possessing rare treasures brings about harmful behavior. <br />Therefore the sage regards his center, and not his eyes. <br />He lets go of that and chooses this. </p> <h2 id="t13">Chapter 13</h2> <p>Accept humiliation as a surprise. <br />Value great misfortune as your own self. <br /> <br />What do I mean by " Accept humiliation as a surprise"? <br />When you are humble <br />00attainment is a surprise <br />00and so is loss. <br />That's why I say, <br />00"accept humiliation as a surprise." <br /> <br />What do I mean by " Value great misfortune as your own self"? <br /> <br />If I have no self, <br />00how could I experience misfortune? <br /> <br />Therefore, <br />00if you dedicate your life <br />00for the benefit of the world, <br />00you can rely on the world. <br />If you love dedicating yourself in this way, <br />00you can be entrusted with the world. </p> <h2 id="t14">Chapter 14</h2> <p>Look for it, it cannot be seen. <br />It is called the distant. <br />Listen for it, it cannot be heard. <br />It is called the rare. <br />Reach for it, it cannot be gotten. <br />It is called the subtle. <br />These three ultimately cannot be fathomed. <br />Therefore they join to become one. <br /> <br />Its top is not bright; <br />Its bottom is not dark; <br />Existing continuously, it cannot be named and it returns to no-thingness. <br /> <br />Thus, it is called the formless form, <br />00the image of no-thing. <br />This is called the most obscure. <br /> <br />Go to meet it, <br />00you cannot see its face. <br />Follow it, <br />00you cannot see its back. <br /> <br />By holding to the ancient Tao <br />00you can manage present existence <br />00and know the primordial beginning. <br /> <br />This is called the very beginning thread of the Tao. </p> <h2 id="t15">Chapter 15</h2> <p>The ancient masters of the Tao <br />00had subtle marvelous mystic penetration <br />00a depth that cannot be known. <br />It is exactly because that they are unknowable <br />00that we are forced to pay attention to their appearance. <br />Hesitant, like one crossing an ice-covered river. <br />Ready, like one afraid of his neighbors on all sides. <br />Dignified, like a guest. <br />Loose, like ice about to melt. <br />Straightforward, like an uncarved block of wood. <br />Open, like a valley. <br />Obscure, like muddy water. <br /> <br />Who can be muddled, <br />00and use clarity to gradually become lucid? <br />Who can be calm, <br />00and use constant application for eventual success? <br /> <br />The one who holds to this path does not crave fulfillment. <br />Precisely because he does not crave fulfillment <br />00he can be shattered <br />00and do without quick restitution. </p> <h2 id="t16">Chapter 16</h2> <p>Effect emptiness to the extreme. <br />Keep stillness whole. <br />Myriad things act in concert. <br />I therefore watch their return. <br />All things flourish and each returns to its root. <br /> <br />Returning to the root is called quietude. <br />Quietude is called returning to life. <br />Return to life is called constant. <br />Knowing this constant is called illumination. <br />Acting arbitrarily without knowing the constant is harmful. <br />Knowing the constant is receptivity, which is impartial. <br /> <br />Impartiality is kingship. <br />Kingship is Heaven. <br />Heaven is Tao <br />00Tao is eternal. <br /> <br />Though you lose the body, <br />00you do not die. </p> <h2 id="t17">Chapter 17</h2> <p>From great antiquity forth they have known and possessed it. <br />Those of the next level loved and praised it. <br />The next were in awe of it. <br />And the next despised it. <br /> <br />If you lack sincerity no one will believe you. <br /> <br />How careful she is with her precious words! <br />When her work is complete <br />00and her job is finished, <br />00everybody says: <br />00"We did it!" </p> <h2 id="t18">Chapter 18</h2> <p>When the great Tao perishes <br />00there is jen and justice. <br />When intelligence is manifest <br />00there is great deception. <br />When the six relationships are not in harmony <br />00there is filial piety and compassion. <br />When the country is in chaos <br />00loyal ministers appear. </p> <h2 id="t19">Chapter 19</h2> <p>Get rid of "holiness" <br />00and abandon "wisdom" <br />00and the people will benefit a hundredfold. <br /> <br />Get rid of "jen" <br />00and abandon "Justice" <br />00and the people will return <br />00to filial piety and compassion. <br /> <br />Get rid of cleverness <br />00and abandon profit, <br />00and thieves and gangsters will not exist. <br /> <br />Since the above three are merely words, <br />00they are not sufficient. <br />Therefore there must be something to include them all. <br /> <br />See the origin and keep the non-differentiated state. <br />Lessen selfishness and decrease desire. </p> <h2 id="t20">Chapter 20</h2> <p>Get rid of "learning" <br />00and there will be no anxiety. <br />How much difference is there between "yes" and "no"? <br />How far removed from each other are "good" and "evil"? <br />Yet what the people are in awe of cannot be disregarded. <br /> <br />I am scattered, never having been in a comfortable center. <br />All the people enjoy themselves, <br />00as if they are at the festival of the great sacrifice, <br />00or climbing the Spring Platform. <br />I alone remain, not yet having shown myself. <br />Like an infant who has not yet laughed. <br />Weary, like one despairing of no home to return to. <br /> <br />All the people enjoy extra <br />00while I have left everything behind. <br />I am ignorant of the minds of others. <br />So dull! <br />While average people are clear and bright, <br />00I alone am obscure. <br />Average people know everything. <br />To me alone all seems covered. <br />So flat! <br />Like the ocean. <br />Blowing around! <br />It seems there is no place to rest. <br />Everybody has a goal in mind. <br />I alone am as ignorant as a bumpkin. <br />I alone differ from people. <br />I enjoy being nourished by the mother. </p> <h2 id="t21">Chapter 21</h2> <p>The form of great virtue is something that only the Tao can follow. <br />The Tao as a "thing" is only vague and obscure. <br />How obscure! How vague! In it there is form. <br />How vague! How obscure! In it are things. <br />How deep! How dark! In it there is an essence. <br /> <br />The essence is so real--therein is belief. <br /> <br />From the present to antiquity, <br />00its name has never left it, <br />00so we can examine all origins. <br />How do I know the form of all origins? <br />By this. </p> <h2 id="t22">Chapter 22</h2> <p>The imperfect is completed. <br />The crooked is straightened. <br />With few there is attainment. <br />With much there is confusion. <br />Therefore the sage grasps the one and becomes the model for all. <br /> <br />She does not show herself, <br />00and therefore is apparent. <br />She does not affirm herself, <br />00and therefore is acknowledged. <br />She does not boast and therefore has merit. <br />She is not proud and is therefore successful. <br />It is exactly because she does not contend, <br />00that nobody can contend with her. <br /> <br />How could the ancient saying, <br />00"The imperfect is completed" <br />00be regarded as empty talk? <br /> <br />Believe in the complete and return to it. </p> <h2 id="t23">Chapter 23</h2> <p>To speak little is natural. <br />Therefore a gale does not blow a whole morning <br />00nor does a downpour last a whole day. <br />Who does these things? <br />Heaven and Earth. <br />If even Heaven and Earth cannot force perfect continuity <br />00how can people expect to? <br /> <br />Therefore there is such a thing as aligning one's actions with the Tao. <br />If you accord with the Tao <br />00you become one with it. <br />If you accord with virtue <br />00you become one with it. <br />If you accord with loss <br />00you become one with it. <br /> <br />The Tao accepts this accordance gladly. <br />Virtue accepts this accordance gladly. <br />Loss also accepts accordance gladly. <br /> <br />If you are untrustworthy, <br />00people will not trust you. </p> <h2 id="t24">Chapter 24</h2> <p>Standing on tiptoe, <br />00you are unsteady. <br />Straddle-legged, <br />00you cannot go. <br />If you show yourself, <br />00you will not be seen. <br />If you affirm yourself, <br />00you will not shine. <br />If you boast, <br />00you will have no merit. <br />If you promote yourself, <br />00you will have no success. <br /> <br />Those who abide in the Tao call these <br />00leftover food and wasted action <br />00and all things dislike them. <br /> <br />Therefore the person of the Tao does not act like this. </p> <h2 id="t25">Chapter 25</h2> <p>There is something that is perfect in its disorder <br />00which is born before Heaven and Earth. <br /> <br />So silent and desolate! <br />It establishes itself without renewal. <br />Functions universally without lapse. <br />We can regard it as the Mother of Everything. <br />I don't know its name. <br />Hence, when forced to name it, <br />00I call it "Tao." <br />When forced to categorize it, <br />00I call it "great." <br />Greatness entails transcendence. <br />Transcendence entails going-far. <br />Going-far entails return. <br />Hence, Tao is great, <br />00Heaven is great, <br />00the Earth is great and the human is also great. <br /> <br />Within our realm there are four greatnesses <br />00and the human being is one of them. <br /> <br />Human beings follow the Earth, <br />00the Earth follows Heaven <br />00Heaven follows the Tao <br />00the Tao follows the way things are. </p> <h2 id="t26">Chapter 26</h2> <p>Heaviness is the root of lightness. <br />Composure is the ruler of instability. <br />Therefore the sage travels all day <br />00without putting down his heavy load. <br />Though there may be spectacles to see <br />00he easily passes them by. <br /> <br />This being so <br />00how could the ruler of a large state <br />00be so concerned with himself <br />00as to ignore the people? <br /> <br />If you take them lightly <br />00you will lose your roots. <br />If you are unstable, <br />00you will lose your rulership. </p> <h2 id="t27">Chapter 27</h2> <p>A good traveler leaves no tracks. <br />Good speech lacks faultfinding. <br />A good counter needs no calculator. <br />A well-shut door will stay closed without a latch. <br />Skillful fastening will stay tied without knots. <br /> <br />It is in this manner that the sage is always skillful in elevating people. <br />Therefore she does not discard anybody. <br /> <br />She is always skillful in helping things <br />Therefore she does not discard anything. <br />This is called "the actualization of her luminosity." <br /> <br />Hence, the good are the teachers of the not-so-good. <br />And the not-so-good are the charges of the good. <br /> <br />Not valuing your teacher or not loving your students: <br />00Even if you are smart, <br />00you are gravely in error. <br /> <br />This is called Essential Subtlety. </p> <h2 id="t28">Chapter 28</h2> <p>Know the Masculine, <br />00cleave to the Feminine <br />00be the valley for everyone. <br />Being the valley for everyone <br />00you are always in virtue without lapse <br />00and you return to infancy. <br /> <br />Know the White, <br />00cleave to the Black <br />00be a model for everyone. <br />Being the model for everyone <br />00you are always in virtue and free from error <br />00you return to limitlessness. <br /> <br />Know Glory but cleave to Humiliation <br />00be the valley for everyone. <br />When your constancy in virtue is complete <br />00you return to the state of the "uncarved block." <br /> <br />The block is cut into implements. <br />The sage uses them to fulfill roles. <br /> <br />Therefore the great tailor does not cut. </p> <h2 id="t29">Chapter 29</h2> <p>If you want to grab the world and run it <br />00I can see that you will not succeed. <br />The world is a spiritual vessel, <br />00which can't be controlled. <br /> <br />Manipulators mess things up. <br />Grabbers lose it. Therefore: <br /> <br />00Sometimes you lead <br />00Sometimes you follow <br />00Sometimes you are stifled <br />00Sometimes you breathe easy <br />00Sometimes you are strong <br />00Sometimes you are weak <br />00Sometimes you destroy <br />00And sometimes you are destroyed. <br /> <br />Hence, the sage shuns excess <br />00shuns grandiosity <br />00shuns arrogance. </p> <h2 id="t30">Chapter 30</h2> <p>If you used the Tao as a principle for ruling <br />00you would not dominate the people by military force. <br /> <br />What goes around comes around. <br /> <br />Where the general has camped <br />00thorns and brambles grow. <br />In the wake of a great army <br />00come years of famine. <br />If you know what you are doing <br />00you will do what is necessary and stop there. <br /> <br />Accomplish but don't boast <br />Accomplish without show <br />Accomplish without arrogance <br />Accomplish without grabbing <br />Accomplish without forcing. <br /> <br />When things flourish they decline. <br />This is called non-Tao <br />The non-Tao is short-lived. </p> <h2 id="t31">Chapter 31</h2> <p>Sharp weapons are inauspicious instruments. <br />Everyone hates them. <br />Therefore the man of the Tao is not comfortable with them. <br /> <br />In the domestic affairs of the gentleman <br />00the left is the position of honor. <br />In military affairs <br />00the right is the position of honor. <br />Since weapons are inauspicious instruments, <br />00they are not the instruments of the gentleman <br />00so he uses them without enjoyment <br />00and values plainness. <br /> <br />Victory is never sweet. <br /> <br />Those for whom victory is sweet <br />00are those who enjoy killing. <br />If you enjoy killing, <br />00you cannot gain the trust of the people. <br /> <br />On auspicious occasions <br />00the place of honor is on the left. <br />On inauspicious occasions <br />00the place of honor is on the right. <br />The lieutenant commander stands on the left. <br />The commander-in-chief stands on the right. <br />And they speak, using the funerary rites to bury them. <br /> <br />The common people, <br />00from whom all the dead have come <br />00weep in lamentation. <br />The victors bury them with funerary rites. </p> <h2 id="t32">Chapter 32</h2> <p>The Tao is always nameless. <br />And even though a sapling might be small <br />00no one can force its growth. <br />If rulers could embody this principle <br />00all things would follow naturally. <br />Heaven and Earth would be harmonized naturally <br />00and rain sweet dew. <br /> <br />People, unable to deal with it on its own terms <br />00make adjustments; <br />00And so you have the beginning of division into names. <br />Since there are already plenty of names <br />00you should know where to stop. <br />Knowing where to stop, <br />00you can avoid danger. <br /> <br />The Tao's existence in the world <br />00is like valley streams <br />00running into the rivers and seas. </p> <h2 id="t33">Chapter 33</h2> <p>If you understand others <br />00you are smart. <br />If you understand yourself <br />00you are illuminated. <br />If you overcome others <br />00you are powerful. <br />If you overcome yourself <br />00you have strength. <br />If you know how to be satisfied <br />00you are rich. <br />If you can act with vigor, <br />00you have a will. <br />If you don't lose your objectives <br />00you can be long-lasting. <br /> <br />If you die without loss, <br />00you are eternal. </p> <h2 id="t34">Chapter 34</h2> <p>The myriad things rely on it for their life <br />00but do not distinguish it. <br />It brings to completion <br />00but cannot be said to exist. <br />It clothes and feeds all things without lording over them. <br /> <br />It is always desireless, <br />00so we call it "the small." <br />The myriad things return to it <br />00and it doesn't exact lordship <br />00thus it can be called "great." <br />Till the end, it does not regard itself as Great. <br /> <br />Therefore it actualizes its greatness. </p> <h2 id="t35">Chapter 35</h2> <p>Holding to the Great Form all pass away. <br />They pass away unharmed, <br />00resting in Great Peace. <br /> <br />It is for food and music that the passing traveler stops. <br /> <br />When the Tao appears from its opening <br />00it is so subtle, it has no taste. <br />Look at it, you cannot see it. <br />Listen, you cannot hear it. <br />Use it you cannot exhaust it. </p> <h2 id="t36">Chapter 36</h2> <p>That which will be shrunk <br />00must first be stretched. <br />That which will be weakened <br />00must first be strengthened. <br />That which will be torn down <br />00must first be raised up. <br />That which will be taken <br />00must first be given. <br /> <br />This is called "hiding your luminosity." <br /> <br />The gentle and soft overcomes the hard and aggressive. <br /> <br />A fish cannot leave the water. <br /> <br />The country's potent weapons should not be shown off. </p> <h2 id="t37">Chapter 37</h2> <p>The Tao is always non-existent <br />00yet there is nothing it doesn't do. <br />If the ruler is able to embody it <br />00everything will naturally change. <br /> <br />Being changed, they desire to act. <br /> <br />So I must restrain them, <br />00using the nameless "uncarved block (original mind)." <br /> <br />Using the nameless uncarved block <br />00they become desireless. <br />Desireless, they are tranquil <br />00and all-under-Heaven is naturally settled. </p> <br /> <hr /> <div class="myhead" id="tt2"> Tao Te Ching </div> <p class="1"><a href="#tt1">Back</a>||<a href="#t83">Next</a></p> <h4>II.0TE CHING</h4> <h2 id="t38">Chapter 38</h2> <p>True virtue is not virtuous <br />00therefore it has virtue. <br />Superficial virtue never fails to be virtuous <br />00therefore it has no virtue. <br /> <br />True virtue does not "act" <br />00and must be non-existent in order to function. <br />Superficial virtue "acts" <br />00and must be apparent in order to function. <br />True jen "acts" <br />00but must be non-existent in order to function. <br />True Justice "acts" <br />00but must be apparent in order to function. <br />True propriety "acts" <br />00and if you don't respond <br />00they will roll up their sleeves <br />00and threaten you. <br /> <br />Thus, <br />00when the Tao is lost <br />there is virtue <br />00when virtue is lost <br />there is jen <br />00when jen is lost <br />there is Justice <br />00and when Justice is lost <br />there is propriety. <br /> <br />Now "propriety" is the external appearance of loyalty and sincerity <br />00and the beginning of disorder. <br /> <br />Occult abilities are just flowers of the Tao <br />00and the beginning of foolishness. <br /> <br />Therefore the Master dwells in the substantial <br />00and not in the superficial. <br />Rests in the fruit and not in the flower. <br /> <br />So let go of that and grasp this. </p> <h2 id="t39">Chapter 39</h2> <p>These in the past have attained wholeness: <br /> <br />Heaven attains wholeness with its clarity; <br />The Earth attains wholeness with its firmness; <br />The Spirit attains wholeness with its transcendence; <br />The Valley attain wholeness when filled; <br />The Myriad Things attain wholeness in life; <br />The Ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people. <br /> <br />In effecting this: <br />If Heaven lacked clarity it would be divided; <br />If the Earth lacked firmness it would fly away; <br />If the spirit lacked transcendence it would be exhausted; <br />If the valley lacked fullness it would be depleted; <br />If the myriad things lacked life they would vanish. <br />If the ruler lacks nobility and loftiness he will be tripped up. <br /> <br />Hence <br />Nobility has lowliness as its root <br />The High has the Low as its base. <br />Thus the kings call themselves "the orphan, <br />00the lowly, the unworthy." <br /> <br />Is this not taking lowliness as the fundamental? <br />Isn't it? <br /> <br />In this way you can bring about great effect without burden. <br />Not desiring the rarity of gems <br />Or the manyness of grains of sand. </p> <h2 id="t40">Chapter 40</h2> <p>Return is the motion of the Tao. <br />Softening is its function. <br />All things in the cosmos arise from being. <br />Being arises from non-being. </p> <h2 id="t41">Chapter 41</h2> <p>When superior students hear of the Tao <br />They strive to practice it. <br />When middling students hear of the Tao <br />00they sometimes keep it and sometimes lose it. <br />When inferior students hear of the Tao <br />00they have a big laugh. <br />Tao <br />00but "not laughing" in itself <br />00is not sufficient to be called the Tao, <br />00and therefore it is said: <br />Tao <br />00The sparkling Tao seems dark <br />00advancing in the Tao seems like regression. <br />00Settling into the Tao seems rough. <br />00True virtue is like a valley. <br />00The immaculate seems humble. <br />00Extensive virtue seems insufficient. <br />00Established virtue seems deceptive. <br />00The face of reality seems to change. <br />00The great square has no corners. <br />00Great ability takes a long time to perfect. <br />00Great sound is hard to hear. <br />00The great form has no shape. <br />Tao <br />00The Tao is hidden and nameless. <br />Tao <br />00This is exactly why the Tao is good <br />0000at developing and perfecting. </p> <h2 id="t42">Chapter 42</h2> <p>The Tao produces one, one produces two. <br />The two produce the three and the three produce all things. <br />All things submit to yin and embrace yang. <br />They soften their energy to achieve harmony. <br />Tao <br />People hate to think of themselves as "orphan," "lowly," and "unworthy" <br />Yet the kings call themselves by these names. <br />Tao <br />Some lose and yet gain, <br />Others gain and yet lose. <br />That which is taught by the people <br />I also teach: <br />"The forceful do not choose their place of death." <br />I regard this as the father of all teachings. </p> <h2 id="t43">Chapter 43</h2> <p>The softest thing in the world is good will overcome the hardest. <br />Non-being can enter where there is no space. <br />Therefore I know the benefit of unattached action. <br />The wordless teaching and unattached action <br />00are rarely seen. </p> <h2 id="t44">Chapter 44</h2> <p>Which is dearer, <br />00fame or your life? <br />Which is greater, <br />00your life or possessions? <br />Which is more painful, <br />00gain or loss? <br />Therefore we always pay a great price for excessive love <br />00and suffer deep loss for great accumulation. <br />Knowing what is enough, <br />00you will not be humiliated. <br />Knowing where to stop, <br />00you will not be imperiled <br />00and can be long-lasting. </p> <h2 id="t45">Chapter 45</h2> <p>Great perfection seems flawed, <br />00yet functions without a hitch. <br />Great fullness seems empty, <br />00yet functions without exhaustion. <br />Great straightness seems crooked, <br />Great skill seems clumsy, <br />Great eloquence seems stammering. <br /> <br />Excitement overcomes cold, <br />00stillness overcomes heat. <br />Clarity and stillness set everything right.</p> <h2 id="t46">Chapter 46</h2> <p>When the Tao prevails in the land <br />00the horses leisurely graze and fertilize the ground. <br />When the Tao is lacking in the land <br />00war horses are bred outside the city. <br />Natural disasters are not as bad as not knowing what is enough. <br />Loss is not as bad as wanting more. <br /> <br />Therefore the sufficiency that comes from knowing what is enough <br />00is an eternal sufficiency. </p> <h2 id="t47">Chapter 47</h2> <p>Without going out the door, <br />00knowing everything, <br />Without looking out the window, <br />00knowing the Way of Heaven. <br /> <br />The further you go, the less you know. <br /> <br />The sage understands without having to go through the whole process. <br />She is famous without showing herself. <br />Is perfected without striving. </p> <h2 id="t48">Chapter 48</h2> <p>In studying, <br />00each day something is gained. <br />In following the Tao, <br />00each day something is let go of. <br />Let go and again let it go. <br />Until there is nothing left to do. <br />Not-doing, nothing is left undone. <br />You can possess the world by never manipulating it. <br />No matter how much you manipulate <br />You can never possess the world. </p> <h2 id="t49">Chapter 49</h2> <p>The sage has no fixed mind, <br />00she takes the mind of the people as her mind. <br /> <br />I treat the good as good, <br />I also treat the evil as good. <br />This is true goodness. <br />I trust the trustworthy, <br />I also trust the untrustworthy. <br />This is real trust. <br /> <br />When the sage lives with people, <br />00she harmonizes with them <br />00and conceals her mind for them. <br /> <br />The sages treat them as their little children. </p> <h2 id="t50">Chapter 50</h2> <p>Coming into life and entering death, <br />The followers of life are three in ten. <br />The followers of death are three in ten. <br />Those whose life activity is their death ground are three in ten. <br />Why? <br />Because they live life grasping for its rich taste. <br /> <br />Now I have heard that those who are expert in handling life <br />Can travel the land without meeting tigers and rhinos, <br />Can enter battle without being wounded. <br />The rhino has no place to plant its horn, <br />The tiger has no place to place its claws, <br />Weapons find no place to receive their sharp edges. <br />Why? <br />Because he has no death-ground. </p> <h2 id="t51">Chapter 51</h2> <p>Tao gives birth to it, <br />Virtue rears it, <br />Materiality shapes it, <br />Activity perfects it. <br />Therefore, there are none of the myriad things who do not venerate <br />00the Tao or esteem its virtue. <br />This veneration of the Tao and esteeming of its virtue <br />00is something they do naturally, without being forced. <br />Therefore, Tao gives birth. <br />Its virtue rears, develops, raises, adjusts and disciplines, <br />Nourishes, covers and protects, <br />Produces but does not possess, <br />Acts without expectation, <br />Leads without forcing. <br /> <br />This is called "Mysterious Virtue." </p> <h2 id="t52">Chapter 52</h2> <p>All things have a beginning, <br />00which we can regard as their Mother. <br />Knowing the mother, <br />00we can know its children. <br />Knowing the children, <br />00yet still cleaving to the mother <br />You can die without pain. <br /> <br />Stop up the holes <br />Shut the doors, <br />You can finish your life without anxiety. <br /> <br />Open the doors, <br />Increase your involvements, <br />In the end you can't be helped. <br /> <br />Seeing the subtle is called illumination. <br />Keeping flexible is called strength. <br />Use the illumination, but return to the light. <br />Don't bring harm to yourself. <br /> <br />This is called "practicing the eternal." </p> <h2 id="t53">Chapter 53</h2> <p>If I had a moment of wisdom <br />I should walk the Great Path and fear only straying from it. <br />Though the Way is quite broad <br />People love shortcuts. <br /> <br />The court is immaculate, <br />While the fields are overgrown with weeds, <br />And the granaries are empty. <br />They wear silk finery, <br />Carry sharp swords, <br />Sate themselves on food and drink <br />Having wealth in excess. <br />They are called thieving braggarts. <br /> <br />This is definitely not the Way. </p> <h2 id="t54">Chapter 54</h2> <p>The well-established cannot be uprooted. <br />The well-grasped does not slip away. <br />Generation after generation carries out the ancestor worship without break. <br /> <br />Cultivate it in yourself <br />00and virtue will be real. <br />Cultivate it in the family a <br />00nd virtue will overflow. <br />Cultivate it in the town <br />00and virtue will be great. <br />Cultivate it in the country <br />00and virtue will abundant. <br />Cultivate it in the world <br />00and virtue will be everywhere. <br /> <br />Therefore, take yourself and observe yourself. <br />Take the family and observe the family. <br />Take the town and observe the town. <br />Take the country and observe the country. <br />Take the world and observe the world. <br /> <br />How do I know the world as it is? <br /> <br />By this. </p> <h2 id="t55">Chapter 55</h2> <p>One who remains rich in virtuous power <br />00is like a newborn baby. <br />Bees, scorpions and venomous snakes do not bite it, <br />00the wild beasts do not attack it, <br />00birds of prey do not sink their claws into it. <br />Though its bones are weak <br />00and muscles soft, <br />00its grip is strong. <br />Without knowing of the blending of male and female <br />00s/he is a perfect production, <br />00the ultimate in vitality. <br />S/he cries all day without getting hoarse. <br />S/he is the ultimate in harmony. <br /> <br />Understanding harmony <br />00is called the Constant. <br />Knowing the Constant <br />00is called illumination. <br />Nourishing life <br />00is called blessing. <br />Having control of your breath <br />00is called strength. <br /> <br />After things blossom they decay, <br />00and this is called the non-Tao. <br /> <br />The non-Tao expires quickly. </p> <h2 id="t56">Chapter 56</h2> <p>She who knows does not speak. <br />She who speaks does not know. <br />Close your holes, <br />00shut your doors, <br />00soften your sharpness, loosen your knots. <br />Soften your glare and merge with the everyday. <br /> <br />This is called mysterious unity. <br /> <br />Though you cannot possess it, <br />00you are intimate with it <br />00and at the same time, distant. <br />Though you cannot possess it, <br />00you are benefitted by it, <br />00and harmed by it. <br />You cannot possess it, <br />00but are esteemed through it <br />00and humbled by it. <br /> <br />Therefore the world values you. </p> <h2 id="t57">Chapter 57</h2> <p>Use fairness in governing the state. <br />Use surprise tactics in war. <br />Be unconcerned and you will have the world. <br />How do I know it is like that? <br />By this: <br />The more regulations there are, <br />00the poorer people become. <br />The more people own lethal weapons, <br />00the more darkened are the country and clans. <br />The more clever the people are, <br />00the more extraordinary actions they take. <br />The more picky the laws are, <br />00the more thieves and gangsters there are. <br /> <br />Therefore the sages say: <br />"I do not force my way and the people transform themselves. <br />I enjoy my serenity and the people correct themselves. <br />I do not interfere and the people enrich themselves. <br /> <br />I have no desires <br />00and the people find their original mind. </p> <h2 id="t58">Chapter 58</h2> <p>When the government is laid back <br />00the people are relaxed. <br />When the government is nitpicking <br />00the people have anxiety. <br />Misfortune depends upon fortune. <br />Fortune conceals misfortune. <br />What has a definite delimitation? <br />Or abnormality? <br />The normal reverts to strangeness. <br />Goodness reverts to perversion. <br /> <br />People certainly have been confused for a long time. <br /> <br />Therefore the sage squares things without cutting. <br />Edges without separating. <br />Straightens without lining up. <br /> <br />Shines but does not glare. </p> <h2 id="t59">Chapter 59</h2> <p>In governing the country and serving Heaven <br />00there is nothing like frugality. <br />Only by being frugal can you recover quickly. <br />When you recover quickly you accumulate virtue. <br />Having accumulated virtue, <br />00there is nothing you can't overcome. <br />When there is nothing you can't overcome <br />00who knows the limits of your capabilities? <br />These limits being unfathomable <br />00you can possess the country. <br /> <br />The Mother who possesses the country can be long-living. <br />This is called "planting the roots deeply and firmly." <br /> <br />The way to long life and eternal vision. </p> <h2 id="t60">Chapter 60</h2> <p>Ruling a large country is like cooking a small fish. <br />When you govern people with the Tao <br />00demons will have no power. <br />Not that they don't have power, <br />00but their power will not harm people. <br /> <br />Since the sage doesn't harm people, <br />00the two will not harm each other. <br /> <br />Here their power merges and returns. </p> <h2 id="t61">Chapter 61</h2> <p>The great state should be like a river basin. <br />The mixing place of the world, <br />The feminine of the world. <br />The feminine always overcomes the masculine by softness <br />00because softness is lesser. <br />Therefore if a large state serves a small state <br />00it will gain the small state. <br />If a small state serves a large state <br />00it will gain the large state. <br /> <br />Therefore some serve in order to gain <br />00and some gain despite their servitude. <br /> <br />The large state wants nothing more <br />00than to unite and feed its people. <br />The small state wants nothing more <br />00than to enter into the service of the right person. <br />Thus both get what they want. <br /> <br />Greatness lies in service. </p> <h2 id="t62">Chapter 62</h2> <p>The Tao is hidden deeply in all things. <br />It is the treasure of the good <br />00and the refuge of the not-so-good. <br />With skillful words you can be successful. <br />With honorable actions you can be included. <br /> <br />People may not be so good, but how can you deny them? <br /> <br />Therefore, even though there are great jewels brought in <br />00by teams of horses at the coronation of the emperor <br />00and the installation of the three princes, <br />00this is not as good as staying where you are <br />00and advancing in this Tao. <br /> <br />Why did the ancients so value the Tao? <br /> <br />You can't say that it was for seeking gain <br />00or to have punishments to deter crime. <br /> <br />Therefore it is the most prized in the world.</p> <h2 id="t630">Chapter 63</h2> <p>Do without "doing." <br />Get involved without manipulating. <br />Taste without tasting. <br />Make the great small, <br />00the many, few. <br />Respond to anger with virtue. <br />Deal with difficulties while they are still easy. <br />Handle the great while it is still small. <br /> <br />The difficult problems in life <br />00always start off being simple. <br />Great affairs always start off being small. <br />Therefore the sage never deals with the great <br />00and is able to actualize his greatness. <br /> <br />Now light words generate little belief, <br />00much ease turns into much difficulty. <br />Therefore the sage treats things as though they were difficult, <br />00and hence, never has difficulty. </p> <h2 id="t64">Chapter 64</h2> <p>That which is at rest is easy to grasp. <br />That which has not yet come about is easy to plan for. <br />That which is fragile is easily broken. <br />That which is minute is easily scattered. <br />Handle things before they arise. <br />Manage affairs before they are in a mess. <br /> <br />A thick tree grows from a tiny seed. <br />A tall building arises from a mound of earth. <br />A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. <br />Contriving, you are defeated; <br />Grasping, you lose. <br /> <br />The sage doesn't contrive, so she isn't beaten. <br />Not grasping, she doesn't lose. <br />When people are carrying out their projects <br />00they usually blow it at the end. <br /> <br />If you are as careful at the end <br />00as you were at the beginning, <br />You won't be disappointed. <br /> <br />Therefore the sage desires non-desire, <br />00does not value rare goods, <br />00studies the unlearnable <br />00so that she can correct the mistakes of average people <br />00and aid all things in manifesting their true nature <br />00without forcing it. </p> <h2 id="t65">Chapter 65</h2> <p>The ancients who were skillful at the Tao <br />00did not illuminate the people <br />00but rather kept them simple. <br />When the people are difficult to rule <br />00it is because of their cleverness. <br />Therefore <br />00if you use cleverness to rule the state <br />00you are a robber of the state. <br />If you don't use cleverness to rule the state <br />00you are a blessing to the state. <br /> <br />Always knowing the proper norm is called <br />00mysterious Virtue. <br />How deep and far-reaching Mysterious Virtue is! <br />It makes all return <br />00until they reach the Great Norm. </p> <h2 id="t66">Chapter 66</h2> <p>The reason the river and sea can be regarded as <br />00the rulers of all the valley streams <br />00is because of their being below them. <br />Therefore they can be their rulers. <br />So if you want to be over people <br />00you must speak humbly to them. <br />If you want to lead them <br />00you must place yourself behind them. <br /> <br />Thus the sage is positioned above <br />00and the people do not feel oppressed. <br />He is in front and they feel nothing wrong. <br />Therefore they like to push him front and never resent him. <br /> <br />Since he does not contend <br />00no one can contend with him. </p> <h2 id="t67">Chapter 67</h2> <p>The reason everybody calls my Tao great <br />00is because there is nothing quite like it. <br />It is exactly because it is great <br />00that there is nothing quite like it. <br />If there were something that were consistently like it <br />How could it be small? <br /> <br />I have three treasures which I hold and cherish. <br />The first is compassion, <br />The second is frugality, <br />The third is not daring to put myself ahead of everybody. <br /> <br />Having compassion, I can be brave. <br />Having frugality, I can be generous. <br />Not daring to put myself ahead of everybody <br />00I can take the time to perfect my abilities. <br /> <br />Now if I am brave without compassion <br />00generous without frugality, or <br />00go to the fore without putting my own concerns last, <br />00I might as well be dead. <br /> <br />If you wage war with compassion <br />00you will win. <br />If you protect yourself with compassion <br />00you will be impervious. <br />Heaven will take care of you, <br />00protecting you with compassion. </p> <h2 id="t68">Chapter 68</h2> <p>The best warrior is never aggressive. <br />The best fighter is never angry. <br />The best tactician does not engage the enemy. <br />The best utilizer of people's talents places himself below them. <br /> <br />This is called the virtue of non-contention. <br />It is called the ability to engage people's talents. <br />It is called merging with Heaven. <br /> <br />The ancients were unrivaled in this. </p> <h2 id="t69">Chapter 69</h2> <p>Strategists have a saying: "<br />I prefer to be able to move, rather than be in a fixed position <br />Prefer to retreat a foot rather than advancing an inch." <br />This is called progress without advancing; <br />Preparing without showing off; <br />Smashing where there is no defense; <br />Taking him without a fight. <br /> <br />There is no greater danger than under-estimating your opponent. <br />If I under-estimate my opponent <br />I will lose that which is most dear. <br />Therefore <br />When opponents clash <br />00the one who is sorry about it will be the winner. </p> <h2 id="t70">Chapter 70</h2> <p>My words are easy to understand <br />00and easy to practice. <br />Yet nobody understands them or practices them. <br />My words have an origin; <br />My actions have a principle. <br />It is only because of your not understanding this <br />00that you do not understand me. <br />Since there are few who understand me <br />00I am valued. <br />Therefore the sage wears coarse clothes. <br /> <br />Yet hides a jewel in his bosom. </p> <h2 id="t71">Chapter 71</h2> <p>There is nothing better than to know that you don't know. <br />Not knowing, yet thinking you know-- <br />00this is sickness. <br />Only when you are sick of being sick <br />00can you be cured. <br />The sage's not being sick <br />00is because she is sick of sickness. <br /> <br />Therefore she is not sick. </p> <h2 id="t72">Chapter 72</h2> <p>When the people do not fear your might <br />00then your might has truly become great. <br />Don't interfere with their household affairs. <br />Don't oppress their livelihood. <br /> <br />It is only your oppression that makes them oppressed. <br /> <br />Thus the sage understands herself <br />00but does not show herself. <br />Loves herself <br />00but does not prize herself. <br />Therefore she lets go of that <br />00and takes this. </p> <h2 id="t73">Chapter 73</h2> <p>If you are courageous in daring <br />00you will die. <br />If you are courageous in not-daring <br />00you will live. <br />One is beneficial and the other is harmful. <br /> <br />Who understands the reason why Heaven dislikes what it dislikes? <br />Even the sage has difficulty in knowing this. <br /> <br />The Way of Heaven is to win easily without struggle. <br />To respond well without words, <br />To naturally come without special invitation, <br />To plan well without anxiety. <br /> <br />Heaven's net is vast. <br />It is loose. <br />Yet nothing slips through. </p> <h2 id="t74">Chapter 74</h2> <p>If the people don't fear death <br />00how will you scare them with death? <br />If you make the people continuously fear death <br />00by seizing anybody who does something out of the ordinary <br />00and killing them, <br />00who will dare to move? <br /> <br />There is always an official executioner to handle this. <br />If you play the role of the official executioner <br />00it is like playing the role of the Master Carpenter. <br /> <br />There are few who will not cut their hands. </p> <h2 id="t75">Chapter 75</h2> <p>The reason people starve <br />00is because their rulers tax them excessively. <br />They are difficult to govern <br />00because their rulers have their own ends in mind. <br /> <br />The reason people take death lightly <br />00is because they want life to be rich. <br />Therefore they take death lightly. <br />It is only by not living for your own ends <br />00that you can go beyond valuing life. </p> <h2 id="t76">Chapter 76</h2> <p>When people are born they are gentle and soft. <br />At death they are hard and stiff. <br />When plants are alive they are soft and delicate. <br />When they die, they wither and dry up. <br />Therefore the hard and stiff are followers of death. <br />The gentle and soft are the followers of life. <br /> <br />Thus, if you are aggressive and stiff, <br />00you won't win. <br />When a tree is hard enough, <br />00it is cut. <br />Therefore <br />The hard and stiff are lesser, <br />The gentle and soft are greater. </p> <h2 id="t77">Chapter 77</h2> <p>The Way of Heaven <br />00is like handling a bow. <br />The top is pulled down, <br />00the bottom is pulled up. <br />Excess string is removed <br />00where more is needed, it is added. <br /> <br />It is the Way of Heaven <br />00to remove where there is excess <br />00and add where there is lack. <br />The way of people is different: <br />00They take away where there is need <br />0000and add where there is surplus. <br /> <br />Who can take his surplus and give it to the people? <br />Only one who possesses the Tao. <br /> <br />Therefore the sage acts without expectation. <br />Does not abide in his accomplishments. <br />Does not want to show his virtue. </p> <h2 id="t78">Chapter 78</h2> <p>Nothing in the world is softer than water, <br />00yet nothing is better at overcoming the hard and strong. <br />This is because nothing can alter it. <br /> <br />That the soft overcomes the hard <br />00and the gentle overcomes the aggressive <br />00is something that everybody knows <br />00but none can do themselves. <br />Therefore the sages say: <br />00"The one who accepts the dirt of the state <br />0000becomes its master. <br />00The one who accepts its calamity <br />00becomes king of the world. <br /> <br />Truth seems contradictory. </p> <h2 id="t79">Chapter 79</h2> <p>After calming great anger <br />00there are always resentments. <br />How can this be considered as goodness? <br />Therefore the sage keeps her part of the deal <br />00and doesn't check up on the other person. <br /> <br />Thus virtuous officials keep their promise <br />00and the crooked ones break it. <br /> <br />The Heavenly Tao has no favorites: <br />It raises up the Good. </p> <h2 id="t80">Chapter 80</h2> <p>Let there be a small country with few people, <br />Who, even having much machinery, don't use it. <br />Who take death seriously and don't wander far away. <br />Even though they have boats and carriages, <br />00they never ride in them. <br />Having armor and weapons, <br />00they never go to war. <br />Let them return to measurement by tying knots in rope. <br /> <br />Sweeten their food, <br />00give them nice clothes, <br />00a peaceful abode and a relaxed life. <br />Even though the next country can be seen <br />00and its dogs and chickens can be heard, <br />00the people will grow old <br />00and die without visiting each others land. </p> <h2 id="t81">Chapter 81</h2> <p>True words are not fancy. <br />Fancy words are not true. <br />The good do not debate. <br />Debaters are not good. <br />The one who really knows is not broadly learned, <br />00the extensively learned do not really know. <br />The sage does not hoard, <br />00she gives people her surplus. <br />Giving her surplus to others <br />00she is enriched. <br /> <br />The way of Heaven is to help and not harm. <br />The Way of the sage is to act without contending. </p> <hr /> <p class="1">[END - Dao Te Ching] </p> <h5 id="t83"><a href="#tt1">Back to the Top</a></h5> <style id="ddj.css"> head{} head {display:none} .myhead 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