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Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching

 

Lao Tzu: The Tao Te Ching / An English Translation, = 1998=A9 by=20 Eiichi Shimomiss=E9

The legend tells us that Lao Tzu was contemporary to Confucius and = when he=20 departed from one of the border passes, the chief guard noticed that = it was=20 Lao Tzu. He asked Lao Tzu to write down this basic thought. So he did = it in=20 two thousand words. Recent philological studies are more inclined to = suggest=20 that Tao Te Ching is written perhaps rather in the 4th or the 3rd = century B.C.=20 (later than Confucius) and is maybe not written by one author, but = from many=20 different origins including certain proverbs which were very likely = prevalent=20 around the time.

Contrary to this contention by the Chinese philologists, we would = like to=20 contend that Tao Te Ching was written by a single person, called Lao = Tzu and=20 he may be contemporary to Confucius rather than in a later period. =

Tao Te Ching has a clear stylistic unity (in terms of the use of = Chinese=20 characters) and the only one use of the proper noun (the reference to = Yang Tze=20 River). A little later than when Tao Te Ching was written, the China = was=20 unified and many different dialects (particularly of different Chinese = characters for the same sound) came to known to each other. In = consequence,=20 homonyms (many different characters for the same sound) were given a = certain=20 ordering such that differentiation of meanings took place around the = 3rd=20 century. A good example of the situation with this complexity may be = found for=20 example in Chuang Tzu. Thus, the style of Lao Tzu differs so totally = from=20 Chuang Tzu in terms of the use of exceedingly difficult and = complicated=20 Chinese characters used by Chuang Tzu. Needless to emphasize, there is = also a=20 very clear unity of philosophical thought in Tao Te Ching.

It is astonishing that Lao Tzu tells us at the very beginning of = his work=20 that the word, "Tao," is chosen to refer to this ultimate principle of = all ten=20 thousand entities of reality for their being (for them to exist), he = clearly=20 points out that the language is inappropriate to deal with his = metaphysical=20 inquiry and question, because language has been devised and = extensively used=20 for atriculating one another and showing preference of one over the = other.

The Tao that is to be referred to is not what we call Tao in the = language=20 of the mundane everydayness. What is to be named can not be described = by the=20 mundane, everyday name based on the dualistic thinking.

Then, Lao Tzu declares form the beginning in Chapter 1, "Naming = (the use of=20 language) is the source of distinctions, namely, those of the = so-called Ten=20 Thousand Things."

Without all our desires is the only way in which this (unnameable = and=20 undistinguishable) Tao is immediately intuited. (Needless to say, this = does=20 not necessarily mean that we live in accordance with the Way of = Tao).

With our desires, Tao=92s appearances are only known, although = these two=20 possess different expressions (Tao and appearances), they are = primarily one=20 and the same.

This is the primordial truth, of all truths, which serves as the = beginning=20 of many other truths.

Here in this very short verse of the only 59 characters, Lao Tzu = reveals=20 that this so-called way or "Tao" is=20

    1. unnameable (ungraspable by the mundane language),=20
    2. the principle (mother) of all things for their being which can = be=20 known without desires and attachments to these distinctions,=20
    3. Through the distinctions enabled by language, and our desires = based on=20 such distinctions, the Ten Thousand Things or the appearances are = known to=20 us, and

this is the most profound, primordial truth.

1

The Tao that refers to here can never be the mundane tao.
The = Name that=20 is used here to designate is not a mundane name.
The Tao that is=20 unnameable is the Source of the Heaven and the Earth.
The name, = once=20 introduced, becomes the Mother of the Ten Thousand Things.
Without = desires=20 one sees its profound mystery revealed.
With desires one can always = see its=20 countless appearances.
They are primarily one and same and yet = differ in=20 names.
These two ways of revelation are indeed the oldest mystery = of dark=20 mysteries.
To understand this is the gate to all = mysteries.

2

Lao Tzu starts elaborate what he said in Chapter 1. Namely, all = these=20 distinctions, all these Ten Thousand Things, are due to our mundane = way of=20 knowing things and due to our artificial distinctions. Thus, all the=20 opposites, which seem to be absolute and undeniable, are indeed = relative to=20 each other, and they complement each other. Theus, the sage do not = deal with=20 distinctions, keeps oneself apart from desires, and clinging = (wu-wei=3Dno=20 artificial action), nor does the sage teach his wisdom by = words.

Therefore, Lao Tzu states,
In heaven and earth,
Beauty is = attached as=20 beauty by merely discerning it from ugliness.
Good is willed as = good by=20 merely distinguishing it from the evil.
Being and Nothing come from = each=20 other,
Difficult and Easy depend on each other,
Long and Short = are=20 shaped to each other.
High and Low are bent to each other.
Sound = and=20 Voice harmonize each other.
Front and Back follow each = other.
Thus, the=20 sage keeps himself in no-action (wu-wei),
He teaches his wisdom = without=20 words.
The Ten Thousand Things rise and fall.
Tao "creates" = everything=20 without possessing,
Accomplishes with no claim,
Thus, no = adherence, no=20 vanish.
 

3

Lao Tzu directs our attention to our all artificial contrivances = and makes=20 his reference to the famous wu-wei (no (artificial) action) by = pointing out=20 the sources of all the problems are artificial distinctions, = artificial=20 desires for them and their attachments:

Without boasting cleverness, there would be no quarrel among=20 people.
Without treasuring precious wealth and utensils, there = would be no=20 theft by people.
Without knowing the objects of desires, there will = be no=20 dissatisfaction among people.
Therefore, the person in tune with = Tao rules=20 the people by emptying his/her mind and managing them to fulfill their = basic=20 needs and by weakening their ambition and strengthening their moral=20 uprightness.
When people lack of knowledge of distinctions and = desires for=20 them,
Cleaver persons will not attempt to artificially = interfere.
If no=20 artificial things are done, nothing is = unaccomplished.
 

4

Tao is an empty or unused vessel. How much it is employed, there = will never=20 be
exhausted.
Thus, it is the source (principle) of Ten = Thousand=20 Things.
Dull the sharpness, and untangle the not, curve the = prominence,=20 and share the dust, then it
is ever present in every = depths.
And yet no=20 one knows where it comes from.
It is indeed the principle of all=20 principles.

5

Heaven and earth have no particular favor,
They see Ten Thousand = Things=20 as straw dogs (with indifference and equality).
The sage (the = person in=20 accordance with Tao) have no particular interest.
They see all = people=20 (equally) as straw dogs.
Between Heaven and earth, emptiness=20 lies,
Shapes alter incessantly, while the void (=3DTao) last = forever.
The=20 more it is bent, the more it will yield.
Plenty words conceals the = ultimate=20 reality,
and hold steadfast onto the hub.

6

This chapter is a rather difficult one, although Lao Tzu=92s = intention is=20 clear in that he would like to point out the primordial strength of = and the=20 closeness to Tao.

The Valley spirit is immortal.
The Spirit is the Female, the = Primal=20 Mother.
Her ultimate gateway is the principle of heaven and = earth.
The=20 spirit is veiled and dim,
And yet when used, it requires no toil.=20

7

Heaven and earth endure forever.
Why are heaven and earth=20 forever?
They are not generated.
Thus, they do last very=20 long.
Therefore, the sage, the person in tune with Tao, stays = behind others=20 and yet is ahead of
them to endure.
Being detached, he is one = with=20 everybody.
Through egolessness, the sage accomplish its = Way.

8

Those who are close to Tao well resembles to water.
Water well = benefits=20 Ten Thousand Things without any strife,
resides where most people = hate to=20 be.
Therefore, in dwelling, well reside the lower land,
In = meditation,=20 reach well the lowest depth,
Be well gentle to others,
Be well = truthful=20 in words,
Be well trustworthy in ruling.
Be well competent in = doing=20 things
Be well timed in action,
No strife, then no = blame.

9

Better cease short than fill out completely.
The Sharper the = blade is=20 made, the more quickly it becomes dull.
When the house is filled = with gold=20 and jades, it is hard to guard them.
Arrogant of one=92s own wealth = and fame,=20 one is ready to be disastered.
It is the way of heaven to quickly = retire,=20 once everything is well accomplished.

10

Carrying body and soul as well as embracing the One,
Can you = escape from=20 the distinction?
Attending fully and becoming supple,
Can you be = a=20 Newborn baby?
Washing and cleansing the ultimate truth,
Can you = be=20 without scar?
Caring of all people and ruling the country,
Can = you be in=20 non-action?
As the gate of heaven opens and closes,
Can you act = a=20 female?
Having Insight and opening to all things,
Can you be=20 ignorant?
Generating and nourishing the Ten Thousand = Things,
Giving=20 birth to and yet being not possessive of them,
Accomplishing and = yet not=20 boasting,
Leading and yet not dominating,
This is the Primal = Virtue of=20 the sage.

11

Thirty spokes shares the wheel=92s hub,
It is nothing (the = center hole)=20 that is of use as a wheel.
Shape clay into vessel,
It is nothing = (the=20 emptiness) that is of use as a vessel.
Open the door and frame the=20 window,
It is nothing (the hollowness) that is of use as a = room.
Beings=20 are useful, because nothing is of use as beings.

 

12

The five colors bind the eye,
The five sounds deafen the = ear.
The=20 five flavors craze our taste,
Racing and hunting craze the = mind,
The=20 precious things disturb the human action.
Therefore, the sage of no = action=20 takes the basic needs and does not take the pleasures for =
sense.
The=20 sage let that go, and chooses this.

13

Each of us makes a big fuss about whether one is treasured or=20 disgraced,
And worry about one=92s own body as if it were a serious = trouble.
What is this to make a big fuss about whether treasured or = disgraced?
Ultimately it ought to be to take treasuring for = disgrace, and=20 vice versa,
And simply consider loss and gain the same.
It is a = folly=20 indeed to make a big fuss about whether treasured or = disgraced.
What is=20 this to worry one=92s own body as if it were a serious = trouble?
Because we=20 possess our body, we worry about the loss of the = invaluable.
Without=20 possessing one=92s own body, why worry?
Treasure the person who = worries about=20 the world as if it were his own body,
Entrust the world to him who=20 considers the world as his own body.

14

See the invisible, Listen to the inaudible and grasp the=20 intangible.
This invisible, inaudible and intangible is=20 undefinable.
Thus unified, it is the One,
Nothing is brighter, = nothing=20 is dimmer,
Underminate, it is unnameable.
Ultimately it is=20 Nothing.
This is the condition of the conditionless,
The form of = the=20 formless,
It is beyond all descriptions.
Welcome this invisible = at the=20 beginning,
Follow this invisible to the end.
Holding onto the = Ancient=20 Tao,
Still now is the principle of all beings,
Being aware of = the=20 Primordial =93Beginning,=94 it is the Tao..

15

The Ancient Master was subtle, mysterious, proud and = responsive,
And its=20 depth is unfathomable.
Because he is unfathomable,
What we can = do is=20 only to figuratively recount it.
More than careful like preparing = to cross=20 the large river in the winter,
Hesitant like attending the enemies = in every=20 direction,
Being gentle like a visiting guest,
Yielding like ice = about=20 to melt,
Simple like an uncarved block,
Empty like a = cave,
Mixed with=20 anything like muddy water.
Who can be so serene that makes = gradually muddy=20 water settle?
Who can let things grow through invisible = motion?
The=20 person in tue with Tao does not seek fulfillment,
And yet always = recovers=20 afresh from any exhaustion..

 

16

Should you empty yourself of everything,
In perfect = serenity,
Then=20 you may ultimately intuit,
The Ten Thousand things in = flux,
Also return=20 to the source ultimately.
The Ten Thousand things move in various=20 ways,
Each returns to the source,
Returning is in serenity, =
And this=20 is called the Primordial ought.
This returning, the way of Tao, is = called=20 Constancy.
The one who is aware of Constancy are Wise.
Not = knowing=20 Constancy leads to disaster.
Awaken to Constancy, the one is=20 understanding,
The understanding one is just,
To be just is the = virtue=20 of the ruler.
With the virtue of the rule, the universe is one with = Tao,
Being one with Tao, there is eternity.
Even though One=92s = body dies,=20
Tao remains eternal.

17

The highest ruler is unknown to the people,
To the next comes = the ruler=20 whom the people love and honor.
Then the one whom people = fear.
Then the=20 one whom people despise.
He who does not trust enough is not be=20 trusted.
When an accomplishment is achieved without = words,
People say,=20 =93It is natural!=94

18

When the Great Tao is out of use,
Kindness and morality = arise.
When=20 Smartness and intelligence are born,
The Great pretense = begins.
When no=20 peace is among the family,
Filial Piety and thoughtfulness = arise.
When=20 the country is confused and in disarray,
The royal minister=20 appear.

19

Should the ruler eradicate holiness and renounce = intelligence,
The=20 people would benefit one hundred times.
Should the ruler = exterminate=20 benevolence and discard morality,
The people would return to the = authentic=20 filial piety and thoughtfulness.
Should cleverness be eradicated = and=20 asset-making decreased,
Bandits and thieves will = disappear.
These three=20 statements are not sufficient,
So let the following are to be=20 complemented.
See the simplicity,
Have one=92s original nature=20 actualized,
Cast off selfishness,
And empty desires..

20

Should learning be exterminated, there would be no worry.
How = far are=20 =93Yes=94 and =93No=94 really apart from each other?
How far are = =93Good=94 and =93Evil=94=20 really apart from each other?
What the people fear is not to be = feared at=20 all.
Endless are indeed the learning of distinctions and its=20 complication.
People are cheerful as if they were invited to a = great feast=20 ,
And climbed on the view-tower in the Spring.
On the contrary, = I alone=20 am away from such spree,
And am cheerless, like a baby who has not = yet=20 learned to smile,
I am dreary , not knowing where to go like a = homeless=20 dog.
My mind is like a fool=92s and it seems ignorant.
Other = people show=20 off their cleverness, while I alone appears dumb.
Others are clear = and=20 smart, while I alone looks uncertain,
As if the ocean wave were = drifting,=20
And as if the restless wind blew without direction.
Others are=20 competent, while I alone appears stubborn and lost.
I alone unique, = holding=20 dearly onto the great Mother.


In this Chapter, it is = clearly=20 declared that learning (of distinctions) is terminated. For the = distinguished=20
opposites such as =93yes=94 and =93no,=94 =93good=94 and = =93evil,=94 are in fact not so=20 apart as we blindly believe in our everyday   position. It is = also=20 implied here that an attempt to learn (distinctions) is to overcome = infinity=20 (of distinctions) by the  finite human existence.

In this chapter, for the first time, Lao Tzu uses the pronoun, = =93I=94 to refer=20 to himself and his own philosophy or the position of the authentic = human=20 existence. This =93I=94 stands against the mundane everybody and is = totally=20 misunderstood as a fool by these masses..

21

The virtue of the sage is to follow Tao and Tao alone.
What Tao = is=20 indeed is elusive and evasive.
Evasive and elusive, and yet it has = the=20 image.
Elusive and evasive, and yet it has the essence.
Profound = and=20 dark, and yet therein is the spirit.
Extremely real is this spirit = and=20 therein lies the evidence.
From ancient till now, it is called Tao = and is=20 the principle of all things.
Being in tune with Tao, the sage is = aware of=20 the world as it actually is..

22

To yield is to be complete,
To be crooked is to be = straight,
To empty=20 is to abound,
To wear out is to be renewed,
To decrease is to=20 achieve,
To have a lot is to be confused.
Therefore, the sage = embraces=20 the one,
and is exemplary to all,
Without showing off = oneself,
He is=20 enlightened,
Without asserting oneself,
He is blind.
Without = bragging=20 oneself,
Without boasting oneself,
He does endure.
Without = quarrel=20 and strife,
He is unequal to any one else.
Therefore, the = ancients say,=20 =93Yielding, one complete one=92s life.=94
They are no empty = words.
By=20 truthfully yielding,
The sage returns to Tao.

This may be = one of the=20 best chapters which describes the way of the sage and the authentic = human=20
existence..

23

Inaudible speech is the way of nature.
Therefore, roaring wind = does not=20 endure the morning,
Drizzling rain does not last all day.
Who = can=20 accomplish this? Only heaven and earth can.
If heaven and earth can = not=20 even be eternal,
How is it possible for the human at = all?
Therefore, he=20 who follows Tao is one with Tao.
He who is after virtue is one with = (Tao=92s)=20 virtue.
He who has lost Tao is lead astray.
He who is one with = Tao is=20 the one whom Tao does also welcome.
He who is one with virtue is = the one=20 whom virtue does also welcome.
He who is lost is the one whom the = loss does=20 also welcome.
He who is unworthy of trust is the one who can be = trusted by=20 no one..

24

He who tiptoes cannot stand long.
He who strides cannot walk = afar.
He=20 who shows oneself off cannot be enlightened.
He who asserts oneself = is=20 blind.
He who brags oneself has no power.
He who boasts oneself = does not=20 endure.
He who in tune with Tao once said,
=93Leftover food and=20 unnecessary lump!=94
As they are loathed by some,
The follower = of Tao=20 stays away from them.

25

Molded from the chaos,
It is before the beginning of heaven and=20 earth.
Silent and formless,
It is both independent and=20 constant.
Everpresent and ceaselessly creative,
It should = resemble the=20 Mother of Ten Thousand Things.
I do not know its identify,
So it = is=20 called Tao,
I might dare to call it the Great.
Being Great, it=20 flows.
It flows far and away, then it is the return to=20 itself.
Therefore, Tao is great.
Heaven is great,
Earth is=20 great,
The ruler is great.
They are four great in the = universe.
The=20 ruler, the highest human follower of Tao, is one of them.
The = humans follow=20 the earth.
Earth follows heaven.
Heaven follows Tao.
Tao = follows what=20 is natural.

Tao is often also called the Way of No action and = what is=20 natural. .

26

The heavy is the root of the light.
The stillness is the master = of the=20 motion.
Therefore, the sage, travelling all day,
Does not lose = sight of=20 the cart of provision.
Although there are beautiful sights,
He = remains=20 serene and unattached.
Why should the lord (the sage) of ten = thousand=20 chariots be frivolous?
To be frivolous is to lose one=92s own = nature.
To=20 be restless is to lose one=92s command of the state..

27

A good traveller leaves no traces.
A good speaker makes no = slips.
A=20 good counter needs no abacus.
A good closed gate needs no lock and = cannot=20 be opened.
A good tieing needs no knots and cannot be=20 loosened.
Therefore, the sage is always of good avail and abandons = no=20 one.
He takes care of all things, and abandons no things.
This = is=20 so-called the sage=92s enlightenment.
Therefore, the good person is = the=20 teacher for the no good (disciple).
The no good person (disciple) = is of use=20 for the good.
If one does not respect one=92s teacher,
And if = one does not=20 care about one=92s disciple,
How wise he might be, he is = obscured.
This is=20 the crux of the ultimate truth.

In this chapter, Lao Tzu starts = to talk=20 about the =93good.=94 This =93good=94 is not in opposition to and in =
distinction=20 from bad or evil. On the contrary, this good is what ought to be, how = a person=20 ought to be. In this sense,  this notion of =93good=94 is a = relative concept.=20 The =93wise=94 in the second line from the last may be =93clever,=94 = or =93smart,=94=20 =93intelligent.=94 However, in order to emphasize the importance of = understanding=20 and care, I dared to translate it =93wise.=94

28

If you know your masculinity,
And maintain yourself to be = female,
You=20 will become the Valley for heaven and earth.
If become the Valley = for=20 heaven and earth,
You will be inseparable with the constant virtue=20 (potency),
And you will returns to a new born baby.
If you know = the=20 white,
And comprise the black,
You become exemplary for heaven = and=20 earth.
If you become exemplary for heaven and earth,
You will = never be=20 against the constant virtue,
And will return to the infinite=20 principle.
If you know your honor,
And embrace your = disgrace,
You=20 will be the Valley of heaven and earth.
If you become the Valley of = heaven=20 and earth,
You will be filled with the constant virtue,
And will = return=20 to the uncarved block.
If the uncarved block is cut into pieces, =
It=20 will become a vessel (specialist).
The sage employs it merely for a = provincial governor.
Thus the great severing cuts no pieces.. =

29

Do you intend to take over heaven and earth and govern it?
I do = not=20 think that you can not do so.
Heaven and earth is a divine = vessel,
That=20 you cannot govern.
Should you attempt to govern it,
You will = ruin=20 it.
Should you try to cling to it,
You will lose = it.
Therefore, Some=20 go ahead, while other are following.
Some breathe are easily, while = other=20 breathe hard.
Some are robust, while other are feeble.
Some = collapse,=20 while other become depraved.
Therefore, the sage eschews the = extremes,=20 extravagances and arrogance.

30

Anyone who advises a ruler with Tao,
He cautions not to conquer = heaven=20 and earth with force,
And recommends him to return the no = (artificial)=20 action.
For thorn bushes spring up wherever the army = stations.
Famine=20 always follows the big warfare.
As fruits gently ripen,
The = good rule=20 is done without no (artificial) action,
Never venture to conquer by = force.
Things (of governing) are done without boasting,
Things = are done=20 without taking credit.
Things are done by following the=20 inevitable,
Things are done without force.
The extravagance is = soon=20 taken over by the decline.
This is against the way of Tao,
Being = against=20 Tao comes to an untimely end.

31 

Sharp weapons are instruments of curse.
People always despise=20 them.
Therefore, the person who follows Tao does not come even near = to=20 them.
The wise person employs the left.
The person of war = employs the=20 right.
Weapons are instruments of curse and not the implements of = the=20 wise.
Only when there is no choice, the wise will use them.
No = wise=20 values victory.
If anyone values the victory,
Then, he will = delights in=20 killing.
If anyone delights in killing,
He cannot realize what = he ought=20 to do in heaven and earth.
At a happy occasion, the left is = revered.
At=20 an adverse occasion, the right is cherished.
In the army, the = commander=20 stands on the left,
The vice-commander stands on the right.
This = means=20 that the war is carried out like a funeral.
Because so many people = are=20 killed,
With sorrow, soldiers are set themselves in the battle=20 ground,
Therefore, even if the victory is won, they perform the war = like a=20 funeral.

This chapter has been considered one of those in which = their=20 commentaries are mixed. It is repetitious, too explanatory.

 

32

Tao is forever of no name.
Small as it may be,
Tao as the = uncarved=20 block cannot be used by anyone in the universe.
If kings and lords = could=20 follow it well,
Ten Thousand Things will spontaneously obey = them.
Heaven=20 and earth would make love to each other,
Sweet dew will thereby = fall=20 gently.
With no decrees, people will be naturally ruled.
When = the whole=20 uncarved block is divided,
The pieces become instruments and in = need of=20 their names.
When there are already many names,
It is also = necessary to=20 know their limitations.
When their limitations are known,
There = are no=20 things in danger.
Tao is manifest in the universe,
Like the = water flows=20 from the rivers and the valleys into Yan Ze River and ocean.

33

To know others is to be wise,
To know oneself is to be=20 enlightened.
To master others is to be powerful,
To master = oneself is to=20 be strong.
To know that one has enough is to be fertile.
To = devote=20 oneself to Tao is to be resolute.
To stay in one=92s own place is = to=20 endure.
To die but not to perish is to be ever present.

34

The great Tao is omnipresent, both to the left or to the = right.
Ten=20 Thousand Things depend on it,
And yet it makes no speech.
The = great Tao=20 creates everything,
And yet it makes no claim.
It nourishes Ten = Thousand=20 Things,
And yet it does not call itself the master.
As it is = ever=20 desireless,
it may be called =93small.=94
As Ten Thousand Things = ultimately=20 return to it,
it may be called =93great.=94
It does not call = itself=20 great,
Therefore, it is genuinely great.

35

If one follows the great symbol (Tao) and resides in the = universe,
There=20 will be no harm.
There will be pleasantness, peace and no=20 incidence.
Music and feast arrests the passer-by,
And yet Tao is = too=20 simple to have flavor.
It is invisible if anyone tries to = see.
It is=20 inaudible if anyone tries to listen.
It cannot be exhausted, how = much it=20 may be employed..

36

In order to shrink it, it is necessary to initially have it harden = itself=20 awhile.
In order to weaken it, it is necessary to initially have it = strengthened a while.
In order to demolish it, it is necessary to = initially=20 have it prosper a while.
In order to acquire it, it is necessary to = initially have it take a while.
This is the mysterious=20 enlightenment.
That which is weak and yields overcome the hard and=20 strong.
Just as the finish should not come out of the depth of=20 water,
The sharp weapons should not be shown to people.

37

Tao always remains in no (artificial) action,
And yet nothing is = left=20 undone.
Should kings and lords follow Tao,
Ten Thousand Things = would=20 naturally mutate.
Should desires arise in their mutation,
I = would be=20 ready to pacify them with the uncarved block with no name.
Should = they=20 become the uncarved block with no name.
They would become=20 desireless.
Should kings and loads pacify them with = desirelessness,
The=20 universe would spontaneously be one with peace.
Here the famous = phrase,=20 =93Tao remains in no action and yet nothing is left =
undone.=94

38

The person of superior virtue (=3Dability to be in tune with Tao) = is not=20 aware of one=92s own
virtue,
And has therefore the (genuine)=20 virtue.
The person of inferior virtue is ready to lose one=92s own=20 virtue,
And has therefore no virtue.
The person of superior = virtue is in=20 no action,
And yet leaves nothing undone.
The person of inferior = virtue=20 attempts all actions,
And yet remains without = accomplishments.
The=20 person of superior kindness does something,
And yet leaves nothing = undone.
The person of superior morality does something,
And yet = is left=20 with a lot to be done.
The person of superior rite does = something,
And=20 yet is left responded by no one,
And demands it by pulling his=20 sleeves.
Therefore, when Tao is lost,
The virtue is called = for.
When=20 the virtue is lost,
The kindness is in demand.
When the kindness = is=20 lost,
The morality becomes imperative.
When morality is = lost,
The=20 ritual prevails.
The ritual is no other than the loss of trust and = royalty,=20 the beginning of tumult.
To try to know the future is the abortive=20 flowering of Tao, the birth of folly.
Therefore, the great person = dwells in=20 the substance of virtue, and not in the shallow,
In the fruit, and = not in=20 the abortive flower.
Therefore, reject the other and hold onto this = (Tao).

This chapter is one of the basis for the inference that = Lao Tzu=20 must have known Confucius and even Mencius (e.g. the great man), so = that Tao=20 Te Ching was written much later. However, there are too much = resemblances to=20 Confucianistic writings as well as Chuang Tzu, Outer Volume. This may = very=20 well be the case that a commentary may be inserted here as the = original text.=20

 

39

Those are in tune with the ancient One are:
Heaven becomes clear = through=20 one,
Earth becomes peaceful through one,
The spirit becomes = vigorous=20 through one,
The Valley becomes abounding through one,
Ten = Thousand=20 Things are born through one,
Kings and lords become leaders of the=20 universe,
All these accomplishments are through one.
Unless = heaven=20 should become clear, it might fall apart.
Unless earth should = become=20 peaceful, it might be quaked.
Unless the spirit should become = vigorous, it=20 might be exhausted.
Unless the valley should become abounding, it = might be=20 draught.
Unless the Ten Thousand Things should are born, they might = be=20 extinct.
Unless kings and lords should become leaders, they might = be=20 destroyed.
Therefore, the noble is rooted in the humble,
The up = is=20 rooted in the down,
Therefore kings and lords call themselves = =93orphaned,=94=20 =93widowed,=94 and =93fruitless.=94
Isn=92t this to make the = humbleness their roots?=20 Isn=92t it?
Too much honoring are no longer the honor,
They do = not want to=20 be dazzling like jade,
They want to be humble like = stones.

40

Returning (to the basis) is the motion of Tao,
Yielding is the = work of=20 Tao,
The Ten Thousand Things in the universe are born of = being,
Being is=20 born of nothingness.

41

The superior person hears Tao and assiduously drills its = way.
The=20 mediocre person hears Tao and becomes skeptical.
The inferior = person hears=20 Tao and ridicules it.
Unless it should be ridiculed, it would be=20 inappropriate to the genuine Tao.
Therefore, according to the words = rooted=20 in Tao:
The really bright way appears dim,
To advance appears to = retreat.
To be easy appears hard,
The great virtue appears empty = like a=20 valley.
The great purity appears stained.
The broad virtue = appears=20 deficient.
The firm virtue appears transient.
The great square = has no=20 corners.
The great talent ripens late.
The great sound is=20 inaudible.
The great form is formless.
Tao is hidden behind no=20 name.
Tao alone magnanimously nourishes the Ten Thousand = Things,
And=20 keep making everything accomplished..

42

Tao begot one.
One begot two.
Two begot three.
And three = begot the=20 Ten Thousand Things.
The Ten Thousand Things carries yin and = embrace=20 yang.
Yin and Yang begot their individual unity.
Orphanedness,=20 widowedness and worthlessness are things people hate.
And yet this = is how=20 kings and lords call themselves.
People always grows by = emptying,
And=20 empties by growth,
What others teach, I also teach:
A violent = man will=20 die an untimely death!=94
Therefore, I will make this the root of = my=20 teaching.

43

The softest thing (water) in the universe freely controls the = hardest thing=20 (diamond).
Nothing filters through no space.
Herewith I realize = the use=20 of no action.
Teaching without words and the use of no action few=20 understand in the universe.

44

Your fame or you own body, which matters more?
Your own body or = wealth,=20 which is more important?
Your gain or your loss, which is more=20 concern?
Therefore, the more one attaches to things, the greater = loss one=20 suffers.
The more one stores, the greater misfortune one = bears.
Being=20 satisfied, one is not disgraced.
The one who knows when to stop is = spared=20 from danger.
Therefore, that person will forever endure.

45

The genuine perfection seems imperfect.
Its use is = unwearable.
The=20 genuine fullness seems empty,
Its use is inexhaustible.
The = genuine=20 straight seems bent.
The genuine mastery seems inept.
The = genuine=20 eloquence seems not fluent.
Moving around overcomes = cold.
Stillness=20 overcomes heat.
Stillness and tranquility straighten out the=20 universe.

46

When Tao is present in the universe,
the race horses will be = made to=20 farm the fields.
When Tao is absent from the universe,
War = horses are=20 bred even outside the city.
No greater fault is than discontented=20 desire,
No greater curse is than greed for gain.
Therefore, The = enough=20 to know enough is always enough.

47

Know the universe without going out of the door.
See the way of = heaven=20 without peeping through the window.
The farther you go out, the far = less=20 you know.
Therefore, the age knows without travelling,
And = names=20 without looking,
And accomplishes with no action.

48

The more you learn, the more you gain everyday.
The closer to = Tao, the=20 more you empty yourself everyday.
Empty oneself more and more, = finally you=20 reach no action.
Where there is no action, nothing is left = undone.
To=20 rule the universe is to do so without incident.
Should there happen = an=20 incident, you could not rule the universe.

49

The sage has always no mind of his own, but makes his own the minds = of=20 all.
The sage takes the good person for good for himself,
And = even takes=20 no good person for good for himself.
For his virtue is indeed = good.
The=20 sage takes the trustworthy person for trustworthy for himself,
And = even=20 takes the untrustworthy person for trustworthy for himself.
For his = virtue=20 is indeed trustworthy.
When the sage rules the universe, he will = empty his=20 own mind,
And make the people ignorant and desireless like the new = born=20 babies,
Even they want to heed the sage with listening and = notice..=20

50

There are those who could live longer and yet hasten to = death.
Those who=20 can live long are three out of ten among the humans,
Those who die = young=20 are three of ten.
Those who could live and yet deliberately hasten = to die=20 are three out of ten.
Why is this?
Because they are too much = attached=20 to life.
According to a proverb,
Those who nourish their lives = well=20 travel on land
And do not encounter predators,
And do not = (need) wear=20 the armor.
The rhinoceros cannot find the place in them to thrust = its=20 horn,
The tiger cannot find the place to claw them.
Why is=20 this?
Because there is no space in them for death to = enter.

51

It is Tao that nourishes them (Ten Thousand Things),
It is its = virtue=20 that sustains them,
It is they that appear in (distinguished) = forms.
It=20 is its energy that creates them.
Therefore, none of the Ten = Thousand Things=20 does not esteem Tao,
Nor revere Virtue.
To esteem Tao and = revere Virtue=20 are not demanded,
But is their constant=20 = nature.
          &n= bsp;=20 Therefore, it is Tao which creates them,
And it is its virtue that = sustains them,
Nourishes and raises them,
Secures and protects=20 them.
Creating them without taking credit,
Nourishes them = without=20 controlling,
This is the Primal Virtue.

52

There is the beginning in the universe,
It is the Mother of all=20 things,
Having secured the Mother, one also knows her = children.
Having=20 known her children, one holds onto their Mother.
Throughout one=92s = life, one=20 is not in danger.
If one keeps one=92s openings (of desire) = shut,
And=20 closes all the holes (of senses),
Throughout one=92s life, one is = not=20 exhausted.
If one opens one=92s openings of desire,
And is busy = to fulfill=20 desires,
Throughout one=92s life, one is never liberated.
Having = an=20 insight into frailty is enlightenment,
Incessantly yielding is=20 strength,
Using the ray of self-awareness is to return to=20 enlightenment,
Then, one may be spared from calamity.
This is = the=20 practice of constancy (Tao)..

53

If I happen to have even slightest enlightenment,
I will walk on = the=20 great Tao (with no action),
And will only caution myself to not = stray from=20 it.
The great Tao (=3Dway) is smooth,
People would like to = detour from=20 that way.
When the court is distracted by scandals,
The fields = are full=20 of weeds,
As the storage houses are empty,
Some clothe = themselves=20 extravagantly,
Wear sharp swords,
Indulge themselves in eating = and=20 drinking,
They bank up with more possessions than they can = use.
They are=20 indeed thieves and robbers.
This is certainly not the way (of Tao) = at all.=20

54

That which is solidly established can hardly be uprooted,
That = which is=20 firmly embraced can hardly slip away.
This will incessantly be = revered by=20 posterity forever.
When one fosters the Tao in oneself,
Its = virtue will=20 be genuine.
When the family fosters its Tao,
Its virtue will=20 abound.
When the village fosters its Tao,
Its virtue will last=20 long.
When the state fosters its Tao,
Its virtue will be=20 enriched.
When the universe is governed by its Tao,
Its virtue = will be=20 omnipresent.
Therefore, Measure oneself with one=92s own = Tao,
Measure the=20 family with the Tao of the family,
Measure the village with the Tao = of the=20 village,
Measure the state with the Tao of the state,
Measure = the=20 universe with the Tao of the universe,
Why do I know that the = universe is=20 governed in this way?
Because I measure it by Tao itself.. =

55

The person charged with the virtue resembles to a new born = baby.
Neither=20 wasp, nor serpent, stings him.
No predator devours him.
No bird = of prey=20 strikes him.
His bones are still weak, his muscles are indeed=20 yielding.
And yet he grips his hands firmly.
He has not yet = known the=20 union (love-making) between the male and the female,
And yet his = penis is=20 hard.
For he maintains full of energy,
And he screams all day = without=20 becoming hoarse.
This is due to perfect harmony (of Yin and = Yang).
To be=20 awakened to harmony is constancy.
To be awakened to constancy is=20 enlightenment.
To contrive the extension of life is = misfortune.
To worry=20 about things is strain.
When people seek to be roborant,
That = is=20 because of the old age.
This is against Tao.
Whatever is = against Tao=20 does not last very long.

56

Those who know do not talk.
Those who talk do not know.
Shut = the hole=20 of the mouth (=3Dthe holes of senses, thus of desires),
And dull = your=20 sharpness, and dissolve its entanglement.
Dim your brightness and = be one=20 with the dirt.
This is called the Primal union.
Therefore, the = those who=20 are in tune with this Primal union
Are not friends of others, nor = are=20 alienated from them,
Neither profit them, nor harm them,
Neither = honor=20 them, nor disgrace them.
Therefore, they are the most inestimable = in the=20 universe.

57

To rule the state is with justice (the orthodox approach),
To = wage a war=20 is with surprise attack (the unorthodox tactics),
One becomes the = master of=20 the universe.
How do I know that this is so?
Because of = this.
The=20 more laws and restrictions there are,
The poorer people = become.
The=20 sharper weapons there are among people,
The more troubles there are = in the=20 state.
The more ingenious and clever men are,
The more weird = things=20 happen.
The more rules and regulations there are,
The more = thieves and=20 robbers are rampant.
Therefore, the sage says:
I take no action = and=20 people are well reformed.
I enjoy serenity and people become = just.
I do=20 nothing and people become wealthy.
I have no desires and people = become=20 uncarved block.

58

The less severe the ruler becomes,
the better governed people=20 are.
The more severe the ruler becomes,
The more impoverished = people=20 become.
Calamity is nest to the good fortune,
It is hidden in = the=20 fortuity,
No one knows where its limit is.
There is no = justice.
There=20 is no uprightness.
Uprightness becomes bizarre,
Goodness becomes = sorcery.
People=92s disarray is nothing new.
Therefore, the sage = is just=20 to oneself and yet compassionate to others.
He is unblemished and = yet does=20 not hurt others.
He is tolerant and yet not too forgiving to = others.
He=20 is full of light and yet not dazzling.

59

To rule people and serve heaven, nothing is better than = compliant.
To be=20 compliant is to readily return to Tao.
To readily return to Tao is = to hoard=20 its virtue.
To hoard its virtue is to have nothing undone.
To = have=20 nothing undone is to have limitless strength (=3DTao).
To have = limitless=20 strength is to be fit to become a ruler.
The Mother of ruling is=20 forever.
This is called the Tao of having deep and firm = roots,
the long=20 and eternal life.

60

Ruling a large state is like cooking a small fish (=3Dno = action).
If one=20 steers the universe with Tao, then the evil spirit will have no = might.
Not=20 that the evil spirit has no might, but its might does not harm = people.
Not=20 only its might does not harm people, but the sage will not harm=20 them.
Neither the evil spirit, nor the sage, does harm = people,
Virtues=20 after virtues flock together.

61

A large state is the lower portion of a river.
It is a place = where the=20 universe meets with each other,
It is the female that the universe = is in=20 love with.
The female always overcomes the male with = permanence,
Being=20 indeed compliant in permanence.
Therefore, the large state is = compliant to=20 the small state,
And the small state will assure its = reliance.
The small=20 state is compliant to the large state,
And the large state will = assure its=20 reliance.
Therefore, either being compliant in one case will assure = its=20 reliance,
or being compliant in the other will earn its = reliance.
The=20 large state would like noting but to nourish more people,
The small = state=20 would like nothing but to earn assurance from the other.
Therefore, = in=20 order that both states fulfills their needs,
The large state is = simply to=20 be first compliant.

62

Tao is the ultimate principle of the Ten Thousand Things,
It is = the=20 inestimable to the good people,
It is also the refuge to the not = good=20 people.
Beautiful words can earn the high position,
Good deeds = can=20 furnish others.
How can the not good people be abandoned (as = sustained by=20 Tao)?
Therefore, When the emperor is crowned and three officers are = chosen,
To be busy with presenting a gift of jade and four horsed=20 cart,
Cannot be compared to being still and offering Tao.
Why = did the=20 Ancient people esteem Tao so much?
You can have what you = seek,
And are=20 not forgiven even if you are a criminal.
Therefore, this is what = the=20 universe holds indispensable.

63

Make no action, Initiate no incident, and taste no flavor.
Give = the=20 great to the small, the plenty to the little ,
And respond the = indignant=20 with the virtuous.
Work on the hard while it=92s easy ,
And take = care of=20 the large while it=92s small.
The hard things in the universe = necessarily=20 arise from the easy matter,
And the serious matters of the universe = necessarily arise from the trivial.
Therefore, the sage never = attempts to=20 make the great action,
And yet nothing is undone.
An undertaker = of=20 smooth talk cannot be trusted,
The more easy things there appear, = the more=20 there arise difficult matters.
Therefore, the sage considers that = the easy=20 things are hard,
And never meets the hard things.

64

The stable peace is easily maiintained,
The problem is = manageable before=20 manifestation,
The Brittle is easily shattered,
The tiny is = easily=20 scattered.
Deal with it before indication,
Calm it before=20 uprising.
The tree with an armful trank starts with a tiny = shoot,
The=20 nine story high tower rises from a pile of earth.
The trip of 1000 = li=20 begins with the first step.
To spuriously act necessarily defeats=20 itself,
To adhere necessarily loses.
Therfore,
The sage makes = no=20 action (wu-wei), thus he does never defeat.
He does not adhere, = thus he=20 does not loses.
Poeple are alwasys defeated when their foot verges = on=20 completion.
Give the same care at the end as at the beginning, then = no=20 defeat will come.
Threfore,
The sage pursues the ffeedom of = desires,=20
He does not treasure precious things,
He learns no = learning,
He=20 recovers people from their failure.
Thus he assistes ten thousand = things to=20 find their nature,
and he initiates no action.

65

The Ancient person well intuned with Tao,
Tried to not = enlighten the=20 people with sagacity,
But endeavored to keep them in the = ignorance.
It=20 is difficult to govern the populace,
Because they think that they = posses=20 wisdom.
To govern the state by sagacity is the enemy of the = state,
To=20 govern the state with no sagacity is the blessing of the state.
It = is the=20 principle of governing to know these two alternatives.
To be aware = of this=20 principle is the primordial virtue.
The primordial virtue is = profound and=20 immense,
It is indeed the denial of the mundane = sagacity.
Through this=20 denial, to be the great oneness with Tao ensures..

66

=97=97this section states that by taking an analogy in water, the = significnce=20 of passivity,
negativity, to be low and acceptance.

Why are = the=20 Great Yan Ze River* or the Great Ocean
Kings of handred valleys = and=20 streams? Because they lie way below.
Therefore,
Those who are = able lie=20 way below are
Kings of handred valleys and streams.
To rule = over the=20 people,
Lower onself below them with humble words,
To lead the = people,=20 Put onself behind them.
Therefore,
To lead the people, the sage = does not=20 repress them,
To be behind people, he doe not impede=20 them.
Therefore,
The people of the world are happy to support = him and=20 dislike him.
Because he is not combative,
No one will be odds = with=20 him.

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