02.11.

2016

TheTaoTehKng,orTheTaoandtscharacterstcs,byLaoTse,PartI.

LaoTse

TheTaoTehKing,orTheTaoandits
characteristics
(PartI,translatedbyJamesLegge)

PARTI.
Ch.1.1.TheTaothatcanbetroddenisnottheenduringand
unchangingTao.Thenamethatcanbenamedisnottheenduringand
unchangingname.
2.(Conceivedofas)havingnoname,itistheOriginatorofheaven
andearth;(conceivedofas)havinganame,itistheMotherofall
things.
3.Alwayswithoutdesirewemustbefound,
Ifitsdeepmysterywewouldsound;
Butifdesirealwayswithinusbe,
Itsouterfringeisallthatweshallsee.
4.Underthesetwoaspects,itisreallythesame;butasdevelopment
takesplace,itreceivesthedierentnames.Togetherwecallthem
theMystery.WheretheMysteryisthedeepestisthegateofallthat
issubtleandwonderful.

2.1.Allintheworldknowthebeautyofthebeautiful,andindoing
thistheyhave(theideaof)whatuglinessis;theyallknowtheskill
oftheskilful,andindoingthistheyhave(theideaof)whatthe
wantofskillis.
2.Soitisthatexistenceandnonexistencegivebirththeoneto
(theideaof)theother;thatdicultyandeaseproducetheone(the
ideaof)theother;thatlengthandshortnessfashionouttheonethe
gureoftheother;that(theideasof)heightandlownessarisefrom
thecontrastoftheonewiththeother;thatthemusicalnotesand
tonesbecomeharmoniousthroughtherelationofonewithanother;and
thatbeingbeforeandbehindgivetheideaofonefollowinganother.
3.Thereforethesagemanagesaairswithoutdoinganything,and
conveyshisinstructionswithouttheuseofspeech.
4.Allthingsspringup,andthereisnotonewhichdeclinestoshow
itself;theygrow,andthereisnoclaimmadefortheirownership;
theygothroughtheirprocesses,andthereisnoexpectation(ofa
rewardfortheresults).Theworkisaccomplished,andthereisno
restinginit(asanachievement).
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TheTaoTehKng,orTheTaoandtscharacterstcs,byLaoTse,PartI.

Theworkisdone,buthownoonecansee;

Tisthisthatmakesthepowernotceasetobe.

3.1.Nottovalueandemploymenofsuperiorabilityisthewayto

keepthepeoplefromrivalryamongthemselves;nottoprizearticles

whicharediculttoprocureisthewaytokeepthemfrombecoming

thieves;nottoshowthemwhatislikelytoexcitetheirdesiresis

thewaytokeeptheirmindsfromdisorder.

2.Thereforethesage,intheexerciseofhisgovernment,empties

theirminds,llstheirbellies,weakenstheirwills,andstrengthens

theirbones.

3.Heconstantly(triesto)keepthemwithoutknowledgeandwithout
desire,andwheretherearethosewhohaveknowledge,tokeepthem

frompresumingtoact(onit).Whenthereisthisabstinencefrom

action,goodorderisuniversal.

4.1.TheTaois(like)theemptinessofavessel;andinour

employmentofitwemustbeonourguardagainstallfulness.How
deepandunfathomableitis,asifitweretheHonouredAncestorof

allthings!

2.Weshouldbluntoursharppoints,andunravelthecomplicationsof
things;weshouldaemperourbrightness,andbringourselvesinto
agreementwiththeobscurityofothers.HowpureandstilltheTao

is,asifitwouldeversocontinue!

3.Idonotknowwhosesonitis.Itmightappeartohavebeenbefore

God.

5.1.Heavenandearthdonotactfrom(theimpulseof)anywishtobe

benevolent;theydealwithallthingsasthedogsofgrassaredealt
with.Thesagesdonotactfrom(anywishtobe)benevolent;they

dealwiththepeopleasthedogsofgrassaredealtwith.

2.Maynotthespacebetweenheavenandearthbecomparedtoa

bellows?

Tisemptied,yetitlosesnotitspower;

Tismovedagain,andsendsforthairthemore.

Muchspeechtoswiftexhaustionleadwesee;

Yourinnerbeingguard,andkeepitfree.

6.Thevalleyspiritdiesnot,ayethesame;

Thefemalemysterythusdowename.

Itsgate,fromwhichatrsttheyissuedforth,

Iscalledtherootfromwhichgrewheavenandearth.

Longandunbrokendoesitspowerremain,
Usedgently,andwithoutthetouchofpain.

7.1.Heavenislongenduringandearthcontinueslong.Thereason

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TheTaoTehKng,orTheTaoandtscharacterstcs,byLaoTse,PartI.

whyheavenandearthareabletoendureandcontinuethuslongis
becausetheydonotliveof,orfor,themselves.Thisishowtheyare

abletocontinueandendure.

2.Thereforethesageputshisownpersonlast,andyetitisfoundin
theforemostplace;hetreatshispersonasifitwereforeigntohim,

andyetthatpersonispreserved.Isitnotbecausehehasno

personalandprivateends,thatthereforesuchendsarerealised?

8.1.Thehighestexcellenceislike(thatof)water.Theexcellence
ofwaterappearsinitsbenetingallthings,andinitsoccupying,
withoutstriving(tothecontrary),thelowplacewhichallmen

dislike.Hence(itsway)isnearto(thatof)theTao.

2.Theexcellenceofaresidenceisin(thesuitabilityof)theplace;
thatofthemindisinabysmalstillness;thatofassociationsisin

theirbeingwiththevirtuous;thatofgovernmentisinitssecuring

goodorder;thatof(theconductof)aairsisinitsability;and
thatof(theinitiationof)anymovementisinitstimeliness.

3.Andwhen(onewiththehighestexcellence)doesnotwrangle(about

hislowposition),noonendsfaultwithhim.

9.1.Itisbeertoleaveavesselunlled,thantoaemptto

carryitwhenitisfull.Ifyoukeepfeelingapointthathasbeen

sharpened,thepointcannotlongpreserveitssharpness.

2.Whengoldandjadellthehall,theirpossessorcannotkeepthem
safe.Whenwealthandhonoursleadtoarrogancy,thisbringsitsevil

onitself.Whentheworkisdone,andonesnameisbecoming

distinguished,towithdrawintoobscurityisthewayofHeaven.

10.1.Whentheintelligentandanimalsoulsareheldtogetherinone

embrace,theycanbekeptfromseparating.Whenonegivesundivided

aentiontothe(vital)breath,andbringsittotheutmostdegreeof

pliancy,hecanbecomeasa(tender)babe.Whenhehascleansedaway
themostmysterioussights(ofhisimagination),hecanbecomewithout

aaw.

2.Inlovingthepeopleandrulingthestate,cannotheproceed
withoutany(purposeof)action?Intheopeningandshuingofhis

gatesofheaven,cannothedosoasafemalebird?Whilehis

intelligencereachesineverydirection,cannothe(appearto)be
withoutknowledge?

3.(TheTao)produces(allthings)andnourishesthem;itproduces

themanddoesnotclaimthemasitsown;itdoesall,andyetdoesnot
boastofit;itpresidesoverall,andyetdoesnotcontrolthem.
ThisiswhatiscalledThemysteriousQuality(oftheTao).

11.Thethirtyspokesuniteintheonenave;butitisontheempty
space(fortheaxle),thattheuseofthewheeldepends.Clayis

fashionedintovessels;butitisontheiremptyhollowness,that

theirusedepends.Thedoorandwindowsarecutout(fromthewalls)
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TheTaoTehKng,orTheTaoandtscharacterstcs,byLaoTse,PartI.

toformanapartment;butitisontheemptyspace(within),thatits
usedepends.Therefore,whathasa(positive)existenceservesfor

protableadaptation,andwhathasnotthatfor(actual)usefulness.

12.1.Coloursvehuesfromtheyestheirsightwilltake;

Musicsvenotestheearsasdeafcanmake;
Theavoursvedeprivethemouthoftaste;
Thechariotcourse,andthewildhuntingwaste

Makemadthemind;andobjectsrareandstrange,

Soughtfor,mensconductwilltoevilchange.

2.Thereforethesageseekstosatisfy(thecravingof)thebelly,and

notthe(insatiablelongingofthe)eyes.Heputsfromhimthe

laer,andpreferstoseektheformer.

13.1.Favouranddisgracewouldseemequallytobefeared;honourand

greatcalamity,toberegardedaspersonalconditions(ofthesame

kind).

2.Whatismeantbyspeakingthusoffavouranddisgrace?Disgraceis
beinginalowposition(aftertheenjoymentoffavour).Thegeing
that(favour)leadstotheapprehension(oflosingit),andthelosing

itleadstothefearof(stillgreatercalamity):thisiswhatis

meantbysayingthatfavouranddisgracewouldseemequallytobe

feared.

Andwhatismeantbysayingthathonourandgreatcalamityaretobe
(similarly)regardedaspersonalconditions?Whatmakesmeliableto
greatcalamityismyhavingthebody(whichIcallmyself);ifIhad

notthebody,whatgreatcalamitycouldcometome?

3.Thereforehewhowouldadministerthekingdom,honouringitashe

honourshisownperson,maybeemployedtogovernit,andhewhowould

administeritwiththelovewhichhebearstohisownpersonmaybe

entrustedwithit.

14.1.Welookatit,andwedonotseeit,andwenameitthe

Equable.Welistentoit,andwedonothearit,andwenameitthe

Inaudible.Wetrytograspit,anddonotgetholdofit,andwe

nameittheSubtle.Withthesethreequalities,itcannotbemade
thesubjectofdescription;andhenceweblendthemtogetherand

obtainTheOne.

2.Itsupperpartisnotbright,anditslowerpartisnotobscure.
Ceaselessinitsaction,ityetcannotbenamed,andthenitagain

returnsandbecomesnothing.ThisiscalledtheFormoftheFormless,
andtheSemblanceoftheInvisible;thisiscalledtheFleetingand

Indeterminable.

3.WemeetitanddonotseeitsFront;wefollowit,anddonotsee

itsBack.WhenwecanlayholdoftheTaoofoldtodirectthethings

ofthepresentday,andareabletoknowitasitwasofoldinthe

beginning,thisiscalled(unwinding)theclueofTao.

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15.1.Theskilfulmasters(oftheTao)inoldtimes,withasubtle

andexquisitepenetration,comprehendeditsmysteries,andweredeep

(also)soastoeludemensknowledge.Astheywerethusbeyondmens

knowledge,Iwillmakeaneorttodescribeofwhatsortthey

appearedtobe.

2.Shrinkinglookedtheylikethosewhowadethroughastreamin

winter;irresolutelikethosewhoareafraidofallaroundthem;grave
likeaguest(inaweofhishost);evanescentlikeicethatismelting
away;unpretentiouslikewoodthathasnotbeenfashionedinto

anything;vacantlikeavalley,anddulllikemuddywater.

3.Whocan(make)themuddywater(clear)?Letitbestill,andit

willgraduallybecomeclear.Whocansecuretheconditionofrest?
Letmovementgoon,andtheconditionofrestwillgraduallyarise.

4.TheywhopreservethismethodoftheTaodonotwishtobefull(of

themselves).Itisthroughtheirnotbeingfullofthemselvesthat
theycanaordtoseemwornandnotappearnewandcomplete.

16.1.The(stateof)vacancyshouldbebroughttotheutmostdegree,

andthatofstillnessguardedwithunwearyingvigour.Allthings

alikegothroughtheirprocessesofactivity,and(then)weseethem

return(totheiroriginalstate).Whenthings(inthevegetable

world)havedisplayedtheirluxuriantgrowth,weseeeachofthem
returntoitsroot.Thisreturningtotheirrootiswhatwecallthe
stateofstillness;andthatstillnessmaybecalledareportingthat
theyhavefullledtheirappointedend.

2.Thereportofthatfullmentistheregular,unchangingrule.To
knowthatunchangingruleistobeintelligent;nottoknowitleads

towildmovementsandevilissues.Theknowledgeofthatunchanging
ruleproducesa(grand)capacityandforbearance,andthatcapacity
andforbearanceleadtoacommunity(offeelingwithallthings).

Fromthiscommunityoffeelingcomesakinglinessofcharacter;andhe
whoiskinglikegoesontobeheavenlike.Inthatlikenessto

heavenhepossessestheTao.PossessedoftheTao,heendureslong;
andtotheendofhisbodilylife,isexemptfromalldangerofdecay.

17.1.Inthehighestantiquity,(thepeople)didnotknowthatthere
were(theirrulers).Inthenextagetheylovedthemandpraised

them.Inthenexttheyfearedthem;inthenexttheydespisedthem.

Thusitwasthatwhenfaith(intheTao)wasdecient(intherulers)

awantoffaithinthemensued(inthepeople).

2.Howirresolutedidthose(earliestrulers)appear,showing(by
theirreticence)theimportancewhichtheysetupontheirwords!

Theirworkwasdoneandtheirundertakingsweresuccessful,whilethe

peopleallsaid,Weareasweare,ofourselves!

18.1.WhentheGreatTao(WayorMethod)ceasedtobeobserved,

benevolenceandrighteousnesscameintovogue.(Then)appearedwisdom

andshrewdness,andthereensuedgreathypocrisy.

2.Whenharmonynolongerprevailedthroughoutthesixkinships,

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TheTaoTehKng,orTheTaoandtscharacterstcs,byLaoTse,PartI.

lialsonsfoundtheirmanifestation;whenthestatesandclansfell

intodisorder,loyalministersappeared.

19.1.Ifwecouldrenounceoursagenessanddiscardourwisdom,it
wouldbebeerforthepeopleahundredfold.Ifwecouldrenounce

ourbenevolenceanddiscardourrighteousness,thepeoplewouldagain

becomelialandkindly.Ifwecouldrenounceourartful

contrivancesanddiscardour(schemingfor)gain,therewouldbeno

thievesnorrobbers.

2.Thosethreemethods(ofgovernment)
Thoughtoldenwaysinelegancedidfail

Andmadethesenamestheirwantofworthtoveil;

Butsimpleviews,andcoursesplainandtrue

Wouldselshendsandmanylustseschew.

20.1.Whenwerenouncelearningwehavenotroubles.

The(ready)yes,and(aering)yea;

Smallisthedierencetheydisplay.

Butmarktheirissues,goodandill;

Whatspacethegulfbetweenshallll?

Whatallmenfearisindeedtobefeared;buthowwideandwithoutend

istherangeofquestions(askingtobediscussed)!

2.Themultitudeofmenlooksatisedandpleased;asifenjoyinga

fullbanquet,asifmountedonatowerinspring.Ialoneseem
listlessandstill,mydesireshavingasyetgivennoindicationof

theirpresence.Iamlikeaninfantwhichhasnotyetsmiled.Ilook
dejectedandforlorn,asifIhadnohometogoto.Themultitudeof

menallhaveenoughandtospare.Ialoneseemtohavelost

everything.Mymindisthatofastupidman;Iaminastateof

chaos.

Ordinarymenlookbrightandintelligent,whileIaloneseemtobe
benighted.Theylookfullofdiscrimination,whileIaloneamdull
andconfused.Iseemtobecarriedaboutasonthesea,driftingas

ifIhadnowheretorest.Allmenhavetheirspheresofaction,while
Ialoneseemdullandincapable,likearudeborderer.(Thus)Ialone

amdierentfromothermen,butIvaluethenursingmother(theTao).

21.Thegrandestformsofactiveforce

FromTaocome,theironlysource.
WhocanofTaothenaturetell?

Oursightities,ourtouchaswell.

Eludingsight,eludingtouch,

Theformsofthingsallinitcrouch;

Eludingtouch,eludingsight,

Therearetheirsemblances,allright.

Profounditis,darkandobscure;
Thingsessencesallthereendure.
Thoseessencesthetruthenfold

Ofwhat,whenseen,shallthenbetold.

Nowitisso;twassoofold.

Itsnamewhatpassesnotaway;

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So,intheirbeautifularray,

Thingsformandneverknowdecay.

HowknowIthatitissowithallthebeautiesofexistingthings?By

this(natureoftheTao).

22.1.Thepartialbecomescomplete;thecrooked,straight;theempty,

full;thewornout,new.Hewhose(desires)arefewgetsthem;he

whose(desires)aremanygoesastray.

2.Thereforethesageholdsinhisembracetheonething(of

humility),andmanifestsittoalltheworld.Heisfreefromself

display,andthereforeheshines;fromselfassertion,andtherefore
heisdistinguished;fromselfboasting,andthereforehismeritis
acknowledged;fromselfcomplacency,andthereforeheacquires

superiority.Itisbecauseheisthusfreefromstrivingthat
thereforenooneintheworldisabletostrivewithhim.

3.Thatsayingoftheancientsthatthepartialbecomescompletewas
notvainlyspoken:allrealcompletioniscomprehendedunderit.

23.1.Abstainingfromspeechmarkshimwhoisobeyingthespontaneity

ofhisnature.Aviolentwinddoesnotlastforawholemorning;a

suddenraindoesnotlastforthewholeday.Towhomisitthatthese
(two)thingsareowing?ToHeavenandEarth.IfHeavenandEarth

cannotmakesuch(spasmodic)actingslastlong,howmuchlesscanman!

2.ThereforewhenoneismakingtheTaohisbusiness,thosewhoare
alsopursuingit,agreewithhiminit,andthosewhoaremakingthe
manifestationofitscoursetheirobjectagreewithhiminthat;while

eventhosewhoarefailinginboththesethingsagreewithhimwhere

theyfail.

3.Hence,thosewithwhomheagreesastotheTaohavethehappiness
ofaainingtoit;thosewithwhomheagreesastoitsmanifestation

havethehappinessofaainingtoit;andthosewithwhomheagrees

intheirfailurehavealsothehappinessofaaining(totheTao).

(But)whenthereisnotfaithsucient(onhispart),awantof

faith(inhim)ensues(onthepartoftheothers).

24.Hewhostandsonhistiptoesdoesnotstandrm;hewhostretches

hislegsdoesnotwalk(easily).(So),hewhodisplayshimselfdoes

notshine;hewhoassertshisownviewsisnotdistinguished;hewho
vauntshimselfdoesnotndhismeritacknowledged;hewhoisself
conceitedhasnosuperiorityallowedtohim.Suchconditions,viewed
fromthestandpointoftheTao,arelikeremnantsoffood,oratumour
onthebody,whichalldislike.Hencethosewhopursue(thecourse)

oftheTaodonotadoptandallowthem.

25.1.Therewassomethingundenedandcomplete,cominginto
existencebeforeHeavenandEarth.Howstillitwasandformless,

standingalone,andundergoingnochange,reachingeverywhereandin

nodanger(ofbeingexhausted)!ItmayberegardedastheMotherof

allthings.

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2.Idonotknowitsname,andIgiveitthedesignationoftheTao
(theWayorCourse).Makinganeort(further)togiveitanameI

callitTheGreat.

3.Great,itpasseson(inconstantow).Passingon,itbecomes

remote.Havingbecomeremote,itreturns.ThereforetheTaois
great;Heavenisgreat;Earthisgreat;andthe(sage)kingisalso
great.Intheuniversetherearefourthataregreat,andthe(sage)

kingisoneofthem.

4.MantakeshislawfromtheEarth;theEarthtakesitslawfrom

Heaven;HeaventakesitslawfromtheTao.ThelawoftheTaoisits

beingwhatitis.

26.1.Gravityistherootoflightness;stillness,therulerof

movement.

2.Thereforeawiseprince,marchingthewholeday,doesnotgofar

fromhisbaggagewaggons.Althoughhemayhavebrilliantprospectsto

lookat,hequietlyremains(inhisproperplace),indierentto

them.Howshouldthelordofamyriadchariotscarryhimselflightly

beforethekingdom?Ifhedoactlightly,hehaslosthisroot(of

gravity);ifheproceedtoactivemovement,hewilllosehisthrone.

27.1.Theskilfultravellerleavesnotracesofhiswheelsor

footsteps;theskilfulspeakersaysnothingthatcanbefoundfault

withorblamed;theskilfulreckonerusesnotallies;theskilful

closerneedsnoboltsorbars,whiletoopenwhathehasshutwillbe

impossible;theskilfulbinderusesnostringsorknots,whileto

unloosewhathehasboundwillbeimpossible.Inthesamewaythe

sageisalwaysskilfulatsavingmen,andsohedoesnotcastawayany

man;heisalwaysskilfulatsavingthings,andsohedoesnotcast
awayanything.ThisiscalledHidingthelightofhisprocedure.

2.Thereforethemanofskillisamaster(tobelookedupto)byhim
whohasnottheskill;andhewhohasnottheskillisthehelperof

(thereputationof)himwhohastheskill.Iftheonedidnothonour

hismaster,andtheotherdidnotrejoiceinhishelper,an

(observer),thoughintelligent,mightgreatlyerraboutthem.Thisis

calledTheutmostdegreeofmystery.

28.1.Whoknowshismanhoodsstrength,
Yetstillhisfemalefeeblenessmaintains;
Astoonechannelowthemanydrains,
Allcometohim,yea,allbeneaththesky.
Thushetheconstantexcellenceretains;

Thesimplechildagain,freefromallstains.

Whoknowshowwhitearacts,

Yetalwayskeepshimselfwithinblacksshade,

Thepaernofhumilitydisplayed,

Displayedinviewofallbeneaththesky;
Heintheunchangingexcellencearrayed,

Endlessreturntomansrststatehasmade.

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Whoknowshowgloryshines,

Yetlovesdisgrace,noreerforitispale;
Beholdhispresenceinaspaciousvale,

Towhichmencomefromallbeneaththesky.
Theunchangingexcellencecompletesitstale;

Thesimpleinfantmaninhimwehail.

2.Theunwroughtmaterial,whendividedanddistributed,forms
vessels.Thesage,whenemployed,becomestheHeadofallthe

Ocers(ofgovernment);andinhisgreatestregulationsheemploys

noviolentmeasures.

29.1.Ifanyoneshouldwishtogetthekingdomforhimself,andto

eectthisbywhathedoes,Iseethathewillnotsucceed.The

kingdomisaspiritlikething,andcannotbegotbyactivedoing.He
whowouldsowinitdestroysit;hewhowouldholditinhisgrasp

losesit.

2.Thecourseandnatureofthingsissuchthat

Whatwasinfrontisnowbehind;

Whatwarmedanonwefreezingnd.
Strengthisofweaknessoftthespoil;

Thestoreinruinsmocksourtoil.

Hencethesageputsawayexcessiveeort,extravagance,andeasy

indulgence.

30.1.HewhowouldassistalordofmeninharmonywiththeTaowill
notasserthismasteryinthekingdombyforceofarms.Suchacourse

issuretomeetwithitsproperreturn.

2.Whereverahostisstationed,briarsandthornsspringup.Inthe

sequenceofgreatarmiestherearesuretobebadyears.

3.Askilful(commander)strikesadecisiveblow,andstops.Hedoes
notdare(bycontinuinghisoperations)toassertandcompletehis
mastery.Hewillstriketheblow,butwillbeonhisguardagainst
beingvainorboastfulorarrogantinconsequenceofit.Hestrikes
itasamaerofnecessity;hestrikesit,butnotfromawishfor

mastery.

4.Whenthingshaveaainedtheirstrongmaturitytheybecomeold.

ThismaybesaidtobenotinaccordancewiththeTao:andwhatisnot

inaccordancewithitsooncomestoanend.

31.1.Nowarms,howeverbeautiful,areinstrumentsofevilomen,
hateful,itmaybesaid,toallcreatures.Thereforetheywhohave

theTaodonotliketoemploythem.

2.Thesuperiormanordinarilyconsidersthelefthandthemost

honourableplace,butintimeofwartherighthand.Thosesharp

weaponsareinstrumentsofevilomen,andnottheinstrumentsofthe

superiorman;heusesthemonlyonthecompulsionofnecessity.Calm

andreposearewhatheprizes;victory(byforceofarms)istohim

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undesirable.Toconsiderthisdesirablewouldbetodelightinthe

slaughterofmen;andhewhodelightsintheslaughterofmencannot

gethiswillinthekingdom.

3.Onoccasionsoffestivitytobeonthelefthandistheprized

position;onoccasionsofmourning,therighthand.Thesecondin

commandofthearmyhashisplaceontheleft;thegeneralcommanding

inchiefhashisontheright;hisplace,thatis,isassignedtohim

asintheritesofmourning.Hewhohaskilledmultitudesofmen
shouldweepforthemwiththebierestgrief;andthevictorin
balehashisplace(rightly)accordingtothoserites.

32.1.TheTao,consideredasunchanging,hasnoname.

2.Thoughinitsprimordialsimplicityitmaybesmall,thewhole
worlddaresnotdealwith(oneembodying)itasaminister.Ifa

feudalprinceorthekingcouldguardandholdit,allwould

spontaneouslysubmitthemselvestohim.

3.HeavenandEarth(underitsguidance)unitetogetherandsenddown
thesweetdew,which,withoutthedirectionsofmen,reachesequally

everywhereasofitsownaccord.

4.Assoonasitproceedstoaction,ithasaname.Whenitoncehas
thatname,(men)canknowtorestinit.Whentheyknowtorestin

it,theycanbefreefromallriskoffailureanderror.

5.TherelationoftheTaotoalltheworldislikethatofthegreat

riversandseastothestreamsfromthevalleys.

33.1.Hewhoknowsothermenisdiscerning;hewhoknowshimselfis

intelligent.Hewhoovercomesothersisstrong;hewhoovercomes

himselfismighty.Hewhoissatisedwithhislotisrich;hewho

goesonactingwithenergyhasa(rm)will.

2.Hewhodoesnotfailintherequirementsofhisposition,continues

long;hewhodiesandyetdoesnotperish,haslongevity.

34.1.AllpervadingistheGreatTao!Itmaybefoundontheleft

handandontheright.

2.Allthingsdependonitfortheirproduction,whichitgivesto

them,notonerefusingobediencetoit.Whenitsworkis

accomplished,itdoesnotclaimthenameofhavingdoneit.It

clothesallthingsaswithagarment,andmakesnoassumptionofbeing

theirlord;itmaybenamedinthesmallestthings.Allthings

return(totheirrootanddisappear),anddonotknowthatitisit

whichpresidesovertheirdoingso;itmaybenamedinthegreatest

things.

3.Hencethesageisable(inthesameway)toaccomplishhisgreat

achievements.Itisthroughhisnotmakinghimselfgreatthathecan

accomplishthem.

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02.11.2016

TheTaoTehKng,orTheTaoandtscharacterstcs,byLaoTse,PartI.

35.1.TohimwhoholdsinhishandstheGreatImage(oftheinvisible

Tao),thewholeworldrepairs.Menresorttohim,andreceiveno

hurt,but(nd)rest,peace,andthefeelingofease.

2.Musicanddaintieswillmakethepassinggueststop(foratime).

ButthoughtheTaoasitcomesfromthemouth,seemsinsipidandhas
noavour,thoughitseemsnotworthbeinglookedatorlistenedto,

theuseofitisinexhaustible.

36.1.Whenoneisabouttotakeaninspiration,heissuretomakea
(previous)expiration;whenheisgoingtoweakenanother,hewill

rststrengthenhim;whenheisgoingtooverthrowanother,hewill
rsthaveraisedhimup;whenheisgoingtodespoilanother,hewill

rsthavemadegiftstohim:thisiscalledHidingthelight(of

hisprocedure).

2.Thesoftovercomesthehard;andtheweakthestrong.

3.Fishesshouldnotbetakenfromthedeep;instrumentsforthe

protofastateshouldnotbeshowntothepeople.

37.1.TheTaoinitsregularcoursedoesnothing(forthesakeof

doingit),andsothereisnothingwhichitdoesnotdo.

2.Ifprincesandkingswereabletomaintainit,allthingswouldof

themselvesbetransformedbythem.

3.Ifthistransformationbecametomeanobjectofdesire,Iwould

expressthedesirebythenamelesssimplicity.

Simplicitywithoutaname

Isfreefromallexternalaim.

Withnodesire,atrestandstill,

Allthingsgorightasoftheirwill.

(gotoPartII)
__________________________

Externallinks:
Othertranslations:
TaoTeChing,TaoandVirtueClassic,TranslationbyDerekLin.
TaoTeChing.OriginalChinesetextandelevenEnglishtranslations.
TaoTeChing:81ChapterTranslations&Interpretations.
TaoTeChing:Linebylinecomparisons.

OthersitesabouttheTaoTeChingandLaoTzu:
ChinesetextwithLeggeEnglishtranslation.
http://www.w66.eu/elb/html/ttk.html

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02.11.2016

TheTaoTehKng,orTheTaoandtscharacterstcs,byLaoTse,PartI.

LaoTzuandTaoTeChing.

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