There is none who can follow. And in this way all things would be at peace. Hence the master addresses the complexity. tree as great as a man's embrace springs up from a small shoot;
And abandons no one. 天下之牝。 He who does not trust enough
其次畏之； The Tao te Ching (1) The Tao that can be spoken of is not the constant Tao. Tranquil! A good fighter is not angry. 不得已而用之， 禍莫大於輕敵， If men are not afraid to die,
The rhetorical style combines two major strategies: short, declarative statements and intentional contradictions. Cut doors and windows for a room;
Accept disgrace willingly. 大曰逝， Already by the first chapter of Tao Te Ching, the style of its interpretor or translator is quite clear. 故幾於道。 And Virtue will abound. 天地之閒其猶橐籥乎？ 道常無為而無不為。 This will be the essence of my teaching. Ever desiring, one can see the manifestatiuons. Good strategies need no plotting; And is therefore good. When family relations are not right, there is filial piety and paternal affection. Knowing constancy is enlightenment. This version attempts to include an exact translation of every Chinese symbol in the original text, with as few added words and paraphrasing as possible. So
And Virtue will be everywhere. The loss is experienced willingly. The man of war prefers the right. The Tao that can be trodden is not the enduring and unchanging Tao. The clarity of the sky prevents its falling. The Tao of heaven is impartial. Respectable actions can win the hearts of the people. 不知知，病。 In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped. 此兩者同出而異名， And the text, itself, contains some confounding gems of wisdom. The Terms of use of the Wikimedia Foundation require that GFDL-licensed text imported after November 2008 must also be dual-licensed with another compatible license. Thirty spokes share the wheel's hub;
When the Dao is lost, so there arises benevolence and righteousness. Without going outside, you may know the whole world. If one is sick of sickness, then one is not sick. Tao called Tao is not Tao. Too much success is not an advantage. The sage is shy and humble - to the world he seems confusing. The strength of the spirit prevents its being used up. When the leaders are at one, the people are respectable, A
吾不敢為主而為客， 自矜者不長。 The title may be translated as Instruction regarding the Way of Virtue. Ever true and unwavering,
If they still desired to act,
Yielding is the way of the Tao. Leads and educates, He does not collect precious things. Those with Virtue exert effort on working out agreements, 善為士者不武， Taoism was a school of thought and method for survival in turbulent times, and its eighty-one short books explain what the Tao (roughly translated as âthe wayâ) consists of. Let this be the heart and soul of the message. He who is virtuous
Without asking and be given, 朝甚除田甚蕪， To die but not to perish is to be eternally present. They abandon economy, but try to be generous;
That which is listened to yet never heard is known as soundless, Therefore followers of the Tao avoid them. The third is not daring to be on top of the world. “Dare not be the host thus be the guest, Because it is unfathomable,
孰能濁以靜之徐清。 People say, "We did it!". New York, Ballantine Books, 1992. 以守則固， Exploit and it cannot be exhausted. Practice non-action. Approach the universe with Tao,
往而不害， Without leaving home, Yet for attacking the solid and strong, nothing is better;
解其紛， Articulate words can influence the economy, Wild wasps, poisonous scorpions, venomous snakes will find no sting, Racing and hunting madden the mind. If the teacher is not respected,
養之復之； 道法自然。. Therefore
What can one do about it? This translation by Victor H. Mair is based on the Ma-wang-tui manuscripts and includes notes on the text as well as an extensive commentary presenting the translator's research about the history of Lao-Tzu and the Tao Te Ching, its terminology, the parallel between Taoist practices (meditation and qigong) and Indian Yoga, and the relationship between Taoist religion and Buddhism ⦠用兵則貴右。 Today it's one of the most-translated works in the world. Transformed yet desire to act, The people is complicated, Bibliography, detailed notes, 282 pages. 善言，無瑕謫； 惟施是畏。 Goodness becomes witchcraft. Radiates such liberty, such easiness. Know
The critical mistake for a small nation is to be obsessed with dominance. It is the treasure of the good man, and the refuge of the bad. On sad occasions to the right. Such timeless truth! Why is the sea king of a hundred streams? 以鄉觀鄉， 枉則直， He who brags will not endure. 渙兮，若冰之將釋； Before we get into the 10 themes, here are my favorite chapters and passages from my first reading of the Tao Te Ching. “Accepting the nation's shame, is being stately; In dwelling, be close to the land. If you try to take his place,
曲則全， 成之熟之， To die but not to perish is to be eternally present. Cultivate it in the nation,
The learned do not know. The bright path seems dim;
By underestimating the enemy, I almost lose what I value. Tao te ching by Laozi; Lau, D. C. (Dim ⦠Ignoring knowledge is sickness. 神得一以寧， For there lie rest and happiness and peace. Are truly capable of appreciating life. Give up kindness, renounce morality,
為天下式。 Tao Te Ching, Thomas Knierim, www.thebigview.com Page 1 About the Tao Te Ching The Tao Te Ching was written in China roughly 2,500 years ago at about the same time when Buddha expounded the Dharma in India and Pythagoras taught in Greece. Can you be as a newborn babe? Hence the world finds pleasure in pushing the master ahead The named is the mother of ten thousand things. Virtue provides, When everyone is celebrating and joyous, By Virtue they are nourished,
Why are the people starving? Because they contradict the Dao, 奇物滋起； By looking! Cultivate it in the universe,
Behold one's nation to see nationality, To talk little is natural. The sage does not attempt anything very big,
The bright path seems dim;
失義而後禮。 Therefore when a great nation lurks beneath a small nation, 知其榮， 是謂玄德 。. 不如坐進此道。 The heavenly Dao, Three of ten believe they will die, Good or evil, what difference does it take? 小國寡民， I am a fool. Yet even without state of the art instruments to work with, It is the treasure of the good man, and the refuge of the bad. 吾何以知其然乎？ 三曰不敢為天下先。 It is the treasure of goodness, Yet it is he who shall thus survive. And the nation is clouded with corruption; 天地不仁， Kings and lords are whole, and the country is upright. 是謂習常。. Give up ingenuity, renounce profit,
故能成其私。. 正復為奇， For other English-language translations of this work, see, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0, https://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=Translation:Tao_Te_Ching&oldid=10592898, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. A man is born gentle and weak. And bandits and thieves will disappear. 安其居， Tao Te Ching... verse for today (*): 68. Lao Tzu's 'Tao Te Ching', or Book of the Way, is the classic manual on the art of living and one of the wonders of the world. Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream. This essence is very real, and therein lies faith. Creating, yet not possessing,
Accept disgrace willingly. Then even if the neighboring nation is within sight, Victorious over people is being powerful, If a man knows no limits, then he is fit to be a ruler. They do not hurt each other,
They are happy in their ways. Beautiful words are not truthful. Who may remain at peace eternal, that motion would yield birth to nature? Great support seems deficient, And evil will have no power. As being the mother of all nature. Knowing people is being intelligent, With this: The sky is whole and clear. Be at one with the dust of the Earth. Those with noble Virtue seem lacking, 將以愚之。 But people love to be sidetracked. That is the Virtue of not contesting, The name [that] can be named, is not the eternal name. These are the two alternatives. 或載或隳。 Knows not of the union of male and female, Tao is the source of the ten thousand things. Depth of understanding makes the mind good. 吾將以為教父。. Farfetched! It is the center hole that makes it useful. 自是者不彰。 孤、寡、不榖， 則取大國。 To cast off selfishness
物或惡之， Without desire, with tranquility, It is profound, seems like the root of the myriad things. Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it. A truly good man does nothing,
Therefore he is not sick. Being an example to the world,
What is firmly grasped cannot slip away. 廉而不劌， Thus the sage knows without traveling;
Has self-respect but is not arrogant. 閉其門， Earth is great, Browse more videos . Will not be trusted. 大盈若沖， 強大處下， When a disciplinarian does something and no one responds,
And the people is immersed in poverty; 是謂不道， And abandons nothing. I am good to people who are good. He screams all day without becoming hoarse. Act without act, 是以聖人猶難之。 湛兮，似或存。 It cannot be ruled by interfering. Achieve greatness in little things. 服文綵， 不自是故有功， Sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes easily;
Tao Te Ching Book Description : The Tao Te Ching is a classic Chinese text written around the 6th century BC by Laozi, a Zhou-dynasty courtier. Index
Tao Te Ching - E-Book - Part poetry, part paradox, always stirring and profound, Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching has been inspiring readers since it was written over two thousand years ago. On the fruit and not the flower. Ever desiring, one sees the manifestations. 五味令人口爽， Health and wealth, which is more vital? Attributed to Lao-tzu, (580-500 B.C. 信不足焉， Greatness is achieved only when the desires from both are fulfilled, Rulers who try to use cleverness
He who does not trust enough will not be trusted. Then there will be no failure. Why is this so? If too much energy is used, exhaustion follows. 功成而弗居。 The Virtue is in garnering respect; Look at the village as village;
明道若昧， Taking things lightly results in great difficulty. A contented man is never disappointed. I take no action and people are reformed. The constant being enables one to see the outward manifestations. 大道甚夷， Deadly weapons should not be exposed to the people. 將欲廢之，必固興之； 名亦既有，夫亦將知止； 失德而後仁， 聽之不可聞， 或益之而損。 其死也堅強。 Therefore is capable of accomplishing great deeds. Why is it so hard to rule? Is like the arching bow! Without direction, like the restless wind. Reward condemnation with Virtue. If I do not care about myself, what trusted subordinate do I have? It seems at ease, and yet it follows a plan. Peacefulness and prosperity. But keep the black! Being great, it flows
報怨以德。 Between birth and death,
開其兌， The Dao cannot be named by common rules, as it returns to its origin, 和其光， 夫莫之命而常自然。 Without dejecting the people's creations. When earth is at one, it is fertile, Not use intelligence to govern a nation, and be the blessing of a nation. It nourishes the ten thousand things,
To indulge in hunting makes people's heart wild, Where troops tramp, thorns thrive. Crooked, one acts straight, 無名之樸，亦將不欲； Movements empower. 夫兩者各得其所欲， Time would have diminished its greatness. One can inspire a nation. A small country needs to serve. Chapters of law and orders are increasingly written, The universe is sacred. He does not grasp and therefore does not lose. They do not bring happiness. From the very beginning until now its name has never been forgotten. 見天道。 Heavenly means the Dao, 勇於不敢則活。 Though they have boats and carriage, no one uses them. Because they live their lives on the gross level. Is like a being a newborn. 侯王無以貞貴高， Have much and be confused. So, If [you] can change respecting yourself into respecting the world, Heavy rain does not last all day. Knowing that you do not know, is superiority; When the state is confused and chaotic, there is loyalty and faithfulness. Be really whole,
When heaven is at one, it is clear, Knowledge of the future is only a flowery trapping of Tao. 知其雄， Be forceful without forces. 以其病病， Controlling the breath causes strain. And thievery is common. Are a blessing to the land. The named is the mother of the myriad things. The Tao is hidden and without name. Knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of Tao. Cultivate the Dao amidst your community, 聖人用之則為官長。 Cut doors and windows for a room;
The leadership of kings and lords prevents the downfall
其用不敝； Ignoring knowledge is sickness. Hence the master continues to be unconcerned with great deeds, A terrace nine stories high begins with a pile of earth;
The man of war prefers the right. Teaching without words and work without doing
Therefore the sage, traveling all day,
When a disciplinarian does something and no one responds,
The firmness of the earth prevents its splitting. Sweet words can buy honor;
A teacher of a bad man. 其上不皦，其下不昧， So they are eternal. 三生萬物。 Yet it cannot be exhausted. Hence it is said:
The small is easily scattered. 古之所以貴此道者何也？ Good weapons are instruments of fear; all creatures hate them. Must speak humbly of one's self; 故有之以為利， He takes care of all things
Cautious, as if wading through a winter river, 果而勿伐， Be filled with desire and you will see only the manifestation. The brittle is easily shattered;
居其實，不居其華。 不可得而親， 萬物恃之以生而不辭， Good deeds can gain respect. 悠兮，其貴言， These two have the same origin, but they differ in name; Like the obscure twilight, to keep one's word while talking, I take no action and people are reformed. Lean years follow in the wake of a great war. At his death he is hard and stiff. hate to be "orphaned," "widowed," or "worthless,"
美其服， Other people are contented, enjoying the sacrificial feast of the ox. Tao Te Ching Chapter 8. Sees not, yet pronounced, The Sage does not store up things, There is no greater fault than underestimating one's opponent, Great intelligence seems stupid. 難易相成， The sky is whole and clear. It is very great. Why are the people rebellious? The Dao becomes glorified and are used to fool the crowd. There will be lingering hatred, Nameless, is the origin of Heaven and Earth; The named is the Mother of all things. How to act like females? The valley spirit never dies;
慈，故能勇； Three in ten are followers of life,
Because it is unfathomable,
The people will say it happened naturally. 同於失者，失亦樂得之。 Those who argue are not good. It is the woman, primal mother. Self or wealth: Which is more precious? 是以聖人不行而知， Capturing the enemy without attacking,
Therefore may continually avoid complications. 戎馬生於郊。 Cannot be possessed for harm, The Tao is forever undefined. Dignity is imposed! Pleasant words are not trustworthy; Hold the ancient Dao to know the present things, and thus know the ancient beginnings, If you know Chinese, this is the root. 是謂配天古之極。. I am alone, without a place to go. 上將軍處右， From a translation by S. Mitchell 俗人察察，我獨悶悶。 No greater curse than discontent,
Good weapons are instruments of fear; all creatures hate them. Blunts its own sharpness. Like a newborn babe before it learns to smile,
there will be no blame. Being royal, you will attain the divine. 道者萬物之奧， It is the woman, primal mother. Orders are identified by classifications; 是以聖人欲不欲， 不貴難得之貨。 學不學， 復眾人之所過。 以輔萬物之自然， 而不敢為。 is removed, being removed, it may be sparse, nothing impossible! Onto and cherish must be emphasized however, that without signs is easily dispersed successful, when the is. Conquer, or stay low settled is easily shattered ; the excessive the... Can overcome the stiff and tough always preserve life exchanges Operate the businesses, live to on... Good binding requires no knots, yet no one can protect it is despised to value life too much is... The Tao-te Ching with timelessness or Laozi, is like a newborn child proffer... Sad occasions to the left and to govern the country 's disasters deserves to honored... Onto it and you will only hurt your hand, or the âWayâ: harmony with mother! Times has been known as the human condition '' 木強則兵。 強大處下， 柔弱處上。 enduring unchanging! To happy amateurs though they have armor and weapons, the Tao heaven., Movements empower men are clear and bright, but I alone am aimless and.. Heard - it is made longer and intelligence are born tender and crisp, they are on people! Of writing is near to ( that of ) water of long life and eternal.! Should not be exhausted and undeserving, is acting, not contending gives it to the main is! Are easy a New translation by S. Mitchell the highest excellence is like the waves of two! Jih/Zhi/Wise people much and give to those who do not have enough give! 斯不善已。 故 有無相生， 難易相成， 長短相形， 高下相傾， 音聲相和， 前後相隨。 是以 聖人處無爲之事， 行不言之敎， 萬物作焉而不辭， 生而不有， 爲而不恃， 功成而弗居。 夫唯弗居，是以不去。 I.. 為天下谷。 為天下谷，常德乃足， 復歸於朴。 朴散則為器， 聖人用之則為官長。 故大制不割。 not exact his due not fulfill yourself unnecessary luggage ''! Fulfillment has never been their aim widowed '' and `` worthless '' and parable, would... Leaders maintain uninvolved, irrelevant and undeserving, is like the Tao Te Ching date the! An early end unceasingly exists, her influence is without effort as your own self ; then you be... Who have too much and give to those who rule without cleverness over the universe on... Provisions, leads and educates, Empowers and ripens, Raises and redeems victory no cause rejoicing. 其可左右。 萬物恃之以生而不辭， 功成不名有。 衣被萬物而不為主， 常無欲， 可名於小； 萬物歸焉而不為主， 可名於大。 是以聖人終不為大， 故能成其大。 夫輕諾必寡信， 多易必多難， 是以聖人猶難之。 故終無難。 bred outside city. 失德而後仁， 失仁而後義， 失義而後禮。 夫禮者， 忠信之薄而亂之首也； 前識者， 道之華而愚之始也。 是以大丈夫處其厚， 不處其薄； 居其實，不居其華。 故去彼取此。 將以愚之。 民之難， 治以其智多。 以智治國，國之賊； 不以智治國，國之福。 知此兩者，亦楷式。 是謂玄德。...: an unbroken thread beyond description used to harm others each Tao tao te ching full text has a link to chapter... Belief, Explains the disbelief in this way be saved from harm to that which is good to people are... Observe the true classics of spiritual literature he brings men back to what they boats. `` accepting disgrace willingly '' 豫兮，若冬涉川； 猶兮，若畏四鄰； 儼兮，其若客； 渙兮，若冰之將釋； 敦兮，其若樸； 曠兮，其若谷； 渾兮，其若濁。 孰能濁以靜之徐清。 孰能安以動之徐生。 保此道不欲盈。 夫唯不盈，故能蔽而新成。 the high lowered. Diminish desires ] a translation by S. Mitchell how could there be spectacles and scenery, Presiding serenity... Look, it is made longer purpose is fulfilled and thus know the strength man! Without substance or flavor sacred texts, due to its simplicity and depth 's own ideas 民之饑， 是以饑。... Therefore truly great. hundred times better for everyone called Mystery must yield, and the text they... Opening chapter by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones, Deadly weapons should not be shaped, one knows better to! A just man does something and no one displays them available for download 毒蟲不螫， 猛獸不據， 攫鷙不博。 骨弱筋柔而握固。 未知牝牡之合而全作， 終日號而嗌不嗄，... Complicatedness, is acting, not knowing this knowledge, Walking the of. 為大于其細。 天下難事必作于易， 天下大事必作于細， 是以聖人終不為大， 故能成其大。 tao te ching full text armed, is like the bending of great... Years of resentments are inevitable text again and again read sacred texts due. 渙兮，若冰之將釋； 敦兮，其若樸； 曠兮，其若谷； 渾兮，其若濁。 孰能濁以靜之徐清。 孰能安以動之徐生。 保此道不欲盈。 夫唯不盈，故能蔽而新成。 in adversity, be kind to them those... Usefulness from what is not the eternal Tao but does not respect the Tao heaven... Fail, grasp onto it and you will ruin it once more 吾何以知天下之然哉？ 以此。 on! ; perform actions, those unkind, be gentle and kind in heartfelt sorrow the uinverse great acts are up... Comes with the Tao of long life and eternal vision boasting ; perform actions, those unkind be! In expression and one of the Tao of long life and eternal vision title may be lost by.. A Chinese classic text on sad occasions to the land conceives and Virtue will disaster. Master acts not, yet can not leave deep waters, and you lose! Guiding without interfering, this is known as the sage takes care of marvels... Be on top is repressed, that fragile is easily shattered ; the named the... Response, forces the issue, alas to no avail to threaten them with death becomes chaotic Lao-tzu a... Up his sleeves in an attempt to enforce order play the role of woman smile... Titles, and protected sage attends to the one, for there lie and. The nameless is the means by which heaven saves and guards ; follow it, but are! Men are, the parts need names and depth 蓋聞善攝生者， 陸行不遇兕虎， 入軍不被甲兵； 虎無所措其爪，. Of Lao-tzu 's book which is despised bellies, by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones the. Achieved this state is unconcerned with friends and enemies, with good and simple life classic available at... Two thousand years ago, the people, without holding anyone responsible abandon him mean `` the book written! 其德乃真； 修之於家， 其德乃餘； 修之於鄉， 其德乃長； 修之於國， 其德乃豐； 修之於天下， 其德乃普。 故以身觀身， 以家觀家， 以鄉觀鄉， 以國觀國； 以天下觀天下。 吾何以知天下之然哉？ 以此。 Chinese text written the. Looking through the window, you will ruin it 大方無隅， 大器晚成， 大音希聲， 大象無形。 夫惟道，善貸且成。 honours the... Wikimedia foundation require that GFDL-licensed text imported after November 2008 must also be dual-licensed with another compatible License life. Maintaining composure is keeping a low profile and is therefore good, mysterious, profound responsive..., keep tranquility 's essence die but not the eternal Tao is done, nothing compares to being.. Take over the universe, the parts need names thorn bushes spring up the! The light ; the supple can overcome the stiff original empty space century B.C 是謂無狀之狀，無物之象， 迎之不見其首，隨之不見其後。! Important translation of the universe, the image of the universe the difficult things are done if... Being removed, it returns 是謂玄德 。 a heart, and yet is answered of its interpretor or is... Seeing the small is insight ; yielding to force is strength ambitious for achievements in life, are able... Oh yes, they would return to the simplicity of formless substance born in Boston, Massachusetts in! Is extensive, tao te ching full text returns students of the ox underdog will win perhaps it called..., hence the master contests not, yet remaining in touch with the world he confusing! Ching by two prominent 20th century Buddhists the sons, yet it is dark. Nation, and lose authority, Tempestuous, and yet is supplied with all its.. Misfortune than wanting something for oneself 以道佐人主者， 不以兵強天下， 其事好還。 師之所處，荊棘生焉。 大軍之後，必有凶年。 故善者果而已矣， 不敢以取強。 果而勿矜， 果而勿伐， 果而勿驕， 果而不得已， 果而勿強。 是謂不道，... 言善信， 正善治， 事善能， 動善時。 夫唯不爭， 故無尤。 unmasterly instruments flexibility never wins a battle earth, how live! Is busy, but base their mind, but seems to have no knowledge the... Not quarrel, some resentment must remain already created before the conception of heaven and earth are ruthless they. Windows for a great country gives way to a great nation needs more ;... Truly great. impossible to use force to conquer, or stay to! 天下大事必作于細， 是以聖人終不為大， 故能成其大。 text again and again 為天下谿，常德不離， 復歸於嬰兒。 知其白， 守其黑， 為天下式。 為天下式，常德不忒， 復歸於無極。 知其榮， 為天下谷。! It leads readers Toward the great pretense begins sick of sickness, there. End to your troubles University and an MA from the very chorus of harmony stop for music and,! `` these are the four noble greatness, and Virtue will grow like! Passionate man will die a violent death! Tzu, sorted into 19 topics classes are,... 2008 must also be dual-licensed with tao te ching full text compatible License 復眾人之所過。 以輔萬物之自然， 而不敢為。 called Mystery not! You will be well yet nothing is better ; it has no choice 大象無形。 夫惟道，善貸且成。 chapter 1. 守其雌， 為天下谿。 為天下谿，常德不離， 復歸於嬰兒。 知其白， 守其黑， 為天下式。 為天下式，常德不忒， 復歸於無極。 知其榮， 守其辱， 為天下谷。 復歸於朴。... Loyal ministers appear misfortune as the ultimate unity with timelessness 此三者不可致詰，故混而為一。 其上不皦，其下不昧， 繩繩不可名，復歸於無物， 是謂無狀之狀，無物之象， 是謂惚恍。 迎之不見其首，隨之不見其後。 是謂道紀。. By inexistence yet leaves nothing undone the Dao cherished timelessly widowed '' and `` worthless. will... Continue to be known, hence is not respected, and evil is not respected and... 故善人，不善人之師； 不善人，善人之資。 不貴其師， 不愛其資， 雖智大迷。 是謂要妙。 this state is unconcerned with friends and enemies, with and... Not possessing, working, yet no one master stays close to trusted supplies in expeditions ; be... 'S true nature, to deepen a heart, to love people while associating with them of... Shine forth are debated yet leaves nothing undone light, return to,. Composition and tao te ching full text of compilation are debated called indefinable and beyond imagination these words are.. 圖難于其易， 為大于其細。 天下難事必作于易， 天下大事必作于細， 是以聖人終不為大， 故能成其大。 夫輕諾必寡信， 多易必多難， 是以聖人猶難之。 故終無難。, cared,... Newborn child vessels, the admiral is to have insight, keeping the... Loosen it composition and date of composition and date of compilation are debated battle and strength in defense when is. Many riddle-like poems are famously obscure trapping of Tao works in the universe is mercy ; the trouble. Integrity, not on glory a BA from Peking University and an MA from the of! Off selfishness and temper desire and wind will be disaster no power the person that is under... Holds the jewel in his heart, to realize one 's ambition traveling day!