by Lao Tzu
You have 200 highlighted passages
You have 128 notes
Last annotated on March 14, 2016
APOLOGIES FOR THE DISORGANIZATION BELOW: WORK IN PROGRESS?
I am trying to organize five different translations by chapter / verse.
Tao Te Ching
Preface
First, the original Chinese text is full of symbols, ideas, and metaphors which make a comprehensive rendering of the text in English impossible. This means that there is a limitless number of equally valid translations that can be created out of it. Secondly, I found that in reading other works I could get a pretty good flavour of a particular translation simply by reading the first verse. And they vary both in quality and the degree of artistic license used in the interpretation (usually the former goes down when the latter is increased). Read more at location 52
Verse 1
Verse 2
Verse 3
Verse 4
Verse 5
Verse 6
Verse 7
Verse 8
Verse 9
Verse 10
Verse 11
Verse 12
Verse 13
Verse 14
Verse 15
Verse 16
Verse 17
Verse 18
Verse 19
Verse 20
Verse 21
Verse 22
He who has little can only gain, but gain too much and the way will be lost. Therefore the wise person holds to the Tao, Read more at location 351
Verse 23
Verse 24
Verse 25
Verse 26
Verse 27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
(1) All great difficulties in the world, in the beginning, were easy to solve. All great achievements in the world, in the beginning, seemed inconsequential. Therefore the wise person never strives for the great, although he accomplishes greatness. Read more at location 869
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
by Lao Tzu
You have 40 highlighted passages
You have 4 notes
Last annotated on August 1, 2013
As translated by Thomas Cleary and Stephen Mitchell
Higher efficacy is not ambitious; that is why it is effective. Lower efficacy does not forget reward, so it loses effectiveness. When higher effectiveness is spontaneous, it has no ulterior motive. Higher benevolence has a purpose, but no ulterior motive. Read more at location 11
**** (Note: akin to Jesus, greatest is least) If you want to be noble, it is rooted in humility; If you want to be elevated, it is based on lowering yourself. Read more at location 34
Everything in the world arises from being; being arises from nonbeing. Read more at location 53
(Note: similar to Stoicism) Even the powerful and clever cannot choose their death; I consider this the father of learning. Read more at location 60
******* No mistake is worse than greed, no calamity is worse than discontent; no fault is more worrisome than desire for gain. Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is always enough. Read more at location 80
While those who strive to learn gain daily, those who practice the Way lose daily, losing and even losing that, until they reach freedom from artificiality. Without artificiality, they can do anything. Read more at location 86
Those who would take the world are always disinterested. Had they a stake in it, they would be inadequate to take the world. Read more at location 89
Guidance is creative, efficacy develops, people give shape, implements complete. That is why all people honor guidance and value efficacy. The nobility of guidance and the value of efficacy are not granted by anyone, but naturally so of themselves. Guidance creates, nurtures, develops, matures, brings to fruition, nourishes, sustains, and shelters. It is creative without possessiveness, constructive without conceit, develops without coercion; this is called unobtrusive efficacy. Read more at location 104
The world has a beginning that is the source of the world Once you find the source, you thereby know what’s produced. Once you know what’s produced, go back to preserve the source, and you’ll never be endangered. Read more at location 110
**** Those who know do not say, those who say do not know. Read more at location 141
The greater the articulation of rules of law, the more brigands and outlaws there are. Therefore a wise rulers says, “If I contrive nothing, the people will naturally be civilized. If I am fond of tranquility, the people will naturally be upright. If I am disinterested, the people will naturally become rich. If I want not to want, the people will naturally be innocent.” Read more at location 151
In government and religion both, economy is best. Only by economy can order be achieved promptly. Read more at location 163
**** The Way is what keeps all things together, the treasure of good people, Read more at location 180
****** Act without artifice, work without servility, savor the unflavored. Make the small great, make much of little. Respond to hatred with grace. Read more at location 188
Plan for the difficult while it is still easy. The greatest things in the world are done while still slight. So wise leaders never do big things; that’s how they achieve greatness. Read more at location 190
If you contrive to do something, you spoil it; if you try to cling to it, you lose it. Therefore sages do not contrive anything, and thus do not spoil anything; they do not cling to anything, and so do not lose anything. Read more at location 199
People always fail in their business just as they are about to succeed, so be as careful of the end as you are of the beginning, and no business will fail. Read more at location 202
The practice of guidance in ancient times was not to make people sophisticates but to make them innocents; what makes people unruly is their cunning. To govern a nation by cunning, therefore, is to undermine the nation, while to govern a nation by innocence is a blessing for the nation. To be always aware of these two is a model for reflection. To be always aware of models for reflection is called hidden virtue. Hidden virtue is deep, far-reaching; it is the opposite of people, but thereby reaches great accord. Read more at location 206
*** Truthful words are not prettified, prettified words are not truthful. Those who know do not generalize, those who generalize do not know. Quality is not quantity, quantity is not quality. Read more at location 225
Sages do not accumulate anything, as they use it to help people. They more they have themselves, as it is given to others, the more their own abundance. So the guiding way of nature is to help and not harm; the guiding way for people is to act beneficially and not be contentious. Read more at location 227
All in the world think themselves great, but the great are not concerned. Indeed, only by not being concerned can they be great. If they cared about being great, they’d eventually become petty. Read more at location 231
I always have three treasures, which I keep and value: First is kindness, second is economy, third is not presuming to be at the head of the world. Read more at location 234
Good warriors are not militant, good fighters don’t get angry; those who are good at beating opponents don’t get caught up in it. Read more at location 244
(Note: ironic, like Jesus logos) My sayings are easy to know and easy to put into practice, yet no one in the world knows them and no one can put them into practice. Read more at location 255
The wise know themselves but do not see themselves; they take care of themselves but do not exalt themselves. Thus they leave one and take the other. Read more at location 265
Nonbeing is called the beginning of all things, being is called the mother of all things. Read more at location 302
Wise people live without artifice and act on unspoken direction; everything starts without their initiative. They act without dependence, succeed without conceit. Only by not being conceited about it do they avoid its loss. Read more at location 312
Not exalting cleverness gets the people not to compete. Not valuing hard-to-get goods gets the people not to steal. Not seeing objects of desire gets the people not to go wild. So the government of wise leaders empties the mind and fills the middle, weakens ambitions and strengthens bones, always making the people innocent, not greedy. They cause the sophisticated not to be daring. They don’t contrive artificialities, that’s all—so nothing is out of order. Read more at location 315
The Way is open-ended, so its application has no limit. It is so deep it seems to be the source of all things. Read more at location 320
**** good is like water; water benefits all beings, and also rests quietly where most people don’t want to be. Thus it approximates the Way. Read more at location 335
Goodness of abode is the location, goodness of heart is depth; goodness of foresight is natural, goodness of speech is trustworthiness. Goodness of government is order, goodness of work is capability, goodness of action is timeliness. But only by not being contentious can you be impeccable. Read more at location 336
*** Achieving openness is attainment, keeping calm is mastery. As everything acts in concert, I use these to watch their return. Beings in all their variety each return; going back to the root is called calm. This is called return to life. Return to life is perennial; to know the perennial is enlightenment. Not to know the perennial is confusion; the confused cause harm. If you know the perennial, you are open-minded. To be open-minded is impartial fairness. Impartial fairness is the highest nobility. The highest nobility is nature itself. Nature is itself guidance; guidance is eternal, never exhausted in all your life. Read more at location 383
Accomplishing work, conducting their affairs, the common people all think it happens by nature. So it is when universal guidance is abandoned that there are benevolence and righteousness. When knowledge emerges, then there is great artificiality. When families are out of harmony, then there are obedience and kindness. When a nation is benighted and confused, then there are virtuous ministers. Eliminate repute and abandon recognition, and the people benefit a hundredfold. Eliminate benevolence and abandon righteousness, and the people return to obedience and kindness. Eliminate cleverness and abandon profiteering, and thieves and robbers will not exist. Even these three sayings are due to lack in the culture, to which reference must be made. Seeing the basic, embrace simplicity; reduce selfishness and minimize cravings. Read more at location 393
The capacity for great efficacy only goes along with guidance. Concretely, the way is indefinable, but even though it is indefinable there are images in it; even though indefinable, there is something to it. Mysterious and impenetrable, there is vitality in it; that vitality is very real, having truth in it. Henceforth and forever, this is said never to depart as it goes along with all beginnings. How do I know all beginnings are so? By this. Read more at location 416
Be indirect for safety, be roundabout for accuracy. When depressed, you will be replenished. When exhausted, you will be renewed. Less is gain, more is confusion, so sage leaders hold to oneness in practicing governance of the world. Read more at location 425
Guidance is important, the mental atmosphere is important, the physical environment is important, and leadership is important. There are four important things to a nation, and leadership is one of them. People are conditioned by the physical environment, and the physical environment is conditioned by the mental atmosphere. The mental atmosphere is conditioned by guidance, and guidance is conditioned by inherent adaptivity. Read more at location 440
The guiding way is always nameless, uncomplicated and minimal, but no one in the world dares presume to administer it. If lords and kings could observe it, everyone would resort to them. Read more at location 480
The existence of guidance in the world is like the little ravine feeding the rivers and seas. Read more at location 485
Those who know others are intelligent; those who know themselves are enlightened. Those who overcome others are forceful; those who overcome themselves are strong. Those who are content are rich, those who act with strength have will. Those who do not lose their place endure; those who die but aren’t forgotten are immortal. Read more at location 486
When you want to contain something, you should purposely let it expand. When you want to weaken something, you should purposely let it grow strong. When you want to get rid of something, you should purposely go along with it. When you want to take something away, you should deliberately cede it. This is called subtle enlightenment; flexibility and yielding overcome strength. Read more at location 499
TAO TE CHING: The Book of Meaning and Life
By Lao Tzu
Different version with different ordering of the verses
1: “The Tao that can be expressed is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
2: “If all earth acknowledges the beautiful as beautiful, then thereby the ugly is already posited. If all on earth acknowledge the good as good, then thereby is the non-good already posited. For existence and non-existence generate each other. Heavy and light complete each other. Long and short shape each other. High and deep convert each other. Before and after follow each other.”
3: “Therefore the Man of Calling governs thus: He empties their hearts and fills their bellies. He weakens their will and strengthens their bones and brings about that people remain without knowledge and without wishes, and he takes care that those who know dare not act. He does the non-doing, and thus everything falls into place.”
4: “Tao is forever flowing. …I do not know whose son it is: It seems to be earlier than God.”
5: “It is better to guard the ‘within’.”
****** (Note: same as Jesus) 7: “Thus also is the Man of Calling: He disregards himself, and his Self is increased. He gives himself away and his Self is preserved.”
8: “The highest benevolence is like water. The benevolence of water is to benefit all being without strife. It dwells in places which man despises. Therefore it stands close to Tao.”
9: “When the work is done it is time to withdraw: this is the Tao of Heaven.”
10: “Generating and nourishing, generating and not possessing, being effective and not retaining, increasing and not dominating: this is the secret of Life.”
13: “Grace is as shameful as fright. …Grace is something inferior. One attains it, and one is as if frightened.”
14: “This is called the formless form, the objectless image… If one holds fast to the Tao of antiquity in order to master today’s existence, one may know the ancient beginning. This means: Tao’s continuous thread.”
15: “Because one cannot know them, therefore one can only painfully describe their exterior.”
19: “Show simplicity, hold fast to honesty! Diminish selfishness, reduce desire! Give up learnedness! Thus you shall become free of sorrows.”
23: “Use words sparingly, then all things will fall into place.”
25: “There is one thing that is invariably complete: …I call it Tao. …There are in space four Great Ones, and Man is one of them. Man conforms to Earth. Earth conforms to Heaven. Heaven conforms to Tao. Tao conforms to itself.”
26: “Through restlessness one loses mastery.”
28: “…Great Design has no need for pruning.”
29: “The world is a spiritual thing which must not be handled. …whosoever wants to hold on to it loses it. …Therefore the Man of Calling avoids what is too intense, too much, too big.”
31: “If fortunate circumstances one considers the left the place of honor. If unfortunate circumstance one considers the right the place of honor. The vice-commander stands to the left, the supreme commander to the right.” (The subordinate role is the Tao preference)
32: “Tao as the eternal is unutterable simplicity.”
33: “Whosoever knows other is clever. Whosoever knows himself is wise. Whosoever conquers others has force. Whosoever conquers himself is strong. Whosoever asserts himself has will-power. Whosoever is self-sufficient is rich. Whosoever does not lose his place has duration. Whosoever does not perish in death lives.”
36: “What you want to compress you must first allow truly to expand. What you want to weaken you must first allow to grow truly strong. What you want to destroy you must first allow truly to flourish. From whomever you want to take away to him you must first truly
37: “Tao is eternal without doing, and yet nothing remains not done.
38: “Whosoever cherishes Life does not know about Life, therefore he has Life. Whosoever does not cherish Life seek not to lose Life, therefore he has no Life. Whosoever cherishes Life does not act and has no designs. Whosoever does not cherish Life acts and has designs. Whosoever cherishes love acts but has no designs. Whosoever cherishes justice acts and has designs. Whosoever cherishes morality acts, and if someone does not respond to him he waves his arms about and pulls him up. Therefore: If Tao is lost, then Life. If love is lost, then justice. If justice is lost, then morality. Morality is the penury of faith and trust and the beginning of confusion.”
39: “Heaven attained the One and became pure. Earth attained the One and became firm. The Gods attained the One and became powerful. The valley attained the One and fulfilled itself. All things attained the One and came into existence. Kings and princes attained the One and became examples to the world. All this has been effected by the One.”
40: “Return is the movement of Tao. Weakness is the effect of Tao. All things under Heaven come about in existence. Existence comes about in non-existence.”
42: “Tao generates the One.”
45: “Purity and stillness are the world’s measuring gauge.”:
46: “There is no greater sin than many desires. There is no greater evil than not to know sufficiency. There is no greater defect than wanting to possess. Therefore: the sufficiency of sufficiency is lasting sufficiency.”
48: “Whosoever practices learning increases daily. Whosoever practices Tao decreases daily. He decreases and decreases, until at least he arrives at non-action. In non-action nothing remains not done.”
49: “The Man of Calling has no heart of his own. He makes the people’s heart his own.”
51: “Tao generates. Life nourishes. Environment shapes. Influences complete. Therefore: all beings honor Tao, and cherish Life. Tao is honored, Life is cherished without being outwardly appointed, just for themselves.
53: “If I really know what it means to live in the great Tao, then it is, above all, busy-ness that I fear.”
54: “Whosoever molds his person, his life becomes true. Whosoever molds his family, his life becomes complete… Therefore: by your own person judge the person of the other.”
57: “Therefore, the Man of Calling says: If we do nothing, the people will change of themselves. If we love stillness, the people right themselves of themselves. If we undertake nothing, the people will become rich of themselves. If we have no cravings, the people will become simple of themselves.”
58: “The ruler whose government is calm and unobtrusive, his people are upright and honest. The ruler whose government is sharpwitted and strict, his people are underhand and unreliable.”
61: “The great realm desires nothing but to take part in the service
63: “Whosoever practices non-action, occupies himself with not being occupied, finds taste in what does not taste: he sees the great in the small and the much in the little. …Do the great thing while it is still small.”
64: “Thus also is the Man of Calling: He desires desirelessness. …He learns non-learning.”
65: “The difficulty in leading the people comes from their knowing too much.”
66: “Rivers and seas are the kinds of the streams because they know how to keep themselves below. …Because he does not quarrel, no one in the world can quarrel with him.”
67: “I have three treasures that I treasure and guard. The first is called ‘love’; the second is called ‘sufficiency’; the third is called ‘not daring to lead the world.’ Through love one may be courageous, through sufficiency one may be generous… Whom Heaven wants to save, him he protects through love.”
68: “Whosoever knows how to lead well is not warlike. Whosoever knows how to fight well is not angry. Whosoever knows how to conquer enemies does not fight them. Whosoever knows how to use men well keeps himself below. This is the Life that does not quarrel; this the power of using men; this is the pole that reaches up to
71: “To know non-knowledge is the highest good.”
72: “Thus also is the Man of Calling: He knows himself but does not want to shine. He loves himself but does not seek honor for
74: “If the people do not fear death, how can one frighten them with death?”
76: “The hard and the strong are companions of death; the soft and the weak of companions of Life.”
77: “It is the Tao of Heaven to reduce what has too much and to complete what does not have enough.”
**** 78: “Everyone on earth knows that the weak conquers the strong and the soft conquers the hard—but no one is capable of acting accordingly. …True words are as if contrary.”
79: “Whosoever has Life adheres to his duty. Whosoever does not have Life adheres to his right.”
***** 81: “True words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not true. Competence does not persuade; persuasion is not competent. The sage is not learned, the learned man is not wise. The Man of Calling does not heap up possessions. The more he does for others, the more he possesses. The more he gives to others, the more he has. The Tao of Heaven is ‘furthering without causing harm.’ The Tao of the Man of Calling is to be effective without quarreling.”
Tao Te Ching: by Lao Tzu
Interpreted by Jonathan Star
You have 261 highlighted passages
You have 67 notes
Last annotated on May 14, 2017
Verse 1
A way that can be walked is not The Way A name that can be named is not The Name Read more at location 85
Note: ******** Edit
Tao is both Named and Nameless As Nameless, it is the origin of all things As Named, it is the mother of all things Read more at location 86
Note: **** Edit
A mind free of thought, merged within itself, beholds the essence of Tao A mind filled with thought, identified with its own perceptions, beholds the mere forms of this world Read more at location 88
Note: **** Edit
Tao and this world seem different but in truth they are one and the same The only difference is in what we call them How deep and mysterious is this unity How profound, how great! Read more at location 90
Note: ********* Edit
It is the truth beyond the truth, the hidden within the hidden It is the path to all wonder, the gate to the essence of everything! Read more at location 92
Verse 2
Everyone recognizes beauty only because of ugliness Everyone recognizes virtue only because of sin Read more at location 95
Life and death are born together Difficult and easy Long and short High and low— all these exist together Read more at location 96
The Sage acts without action and teaches without talking All things flourish around him and he does not refuse any one of them He gives but not to receive He works but not for reward He completes but not for results He does nothing for himself in this passing world so nothing he does ever passes Read more at location 99
Verse 3 Read more at location 103
Putting a value on status will cause people to compete Hoarding treasure will turn them into thieves Read more at location 104
Thus the Sage rules by stilling minds and opening hearts by filling bellies and strengthening bones He shows people how to be simple and live without desires Read more at location 106
When action is pure and selfless everything settles into its own perfect place Read more at location 109
Verse 4 Read more at location 111
Tao is empty yet it fills every vessel with endless supply Tao is hidden yet it shines in every corner of the universe Read more at location 111
Verse 5 Read more at location 117
The Sage is like Heaven and Earth To him none are especially dear nor is there anyone he disfavors He gives and gives without condition offering his treasure to everyone Read more at location 120
The universe is like a bellows It stays empty yet is never exhausted It gives out yet always brings forth more Man is not like this When he blows out air like a bellows he becomes exhausted Man was not made to blow out air He was made to sit quietly and find the truth within Read more at location 123
Note: **** Interesting Edit
Verse 6 Read more at location 127
Although She becomes the whole universe Her immaculate purity is never lost Although She assumes countless forms Her true identity remains intact Whatever we see or don’t see Whatever exists or doesn’t exist Is nothing but the creation of this Supreme Power Read more at location 129
Tao is limitless, unborn, eternal— It can only be reached through the Hidden Creator She is the very face of the Absolute The gate to the source of all things eternal Read more at location 132
Note: **** Seems to separate God from Tao, which seems more akin to Logos Edit
Verse 7 Read more at location 136
Heaven is ancient Earth is long-lasting Why is this so?— Because they have no claims to life By having no claims to life they cannot be claimed by death Read more at location 137
Verse 8 Read more at location 142
The best way to live is to be like water For water benefits all things and goes against none of them Read more at location 142
One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things He moves in harmony with the present moment always knowing the truth of just what to do Read more at location 148
Note: **** wu wei Edit
Verse 9 Read more at location 151
Sharpen a blade too much and its edge will soon be lost Fill a house with gold and jade and no one can protect it Puff yourself with honor and pride and no one can save you from a fall Read more at location 152
Note: **** Edit
Complete the task at hand Be selfless in your actions This is the way of Heaven Read more at location 154
Verse 10 Read more at location 156
Hold fast to the Power of the One It will unify the body and merge it with the spirit It will cleanse the vision and reveal the world as flawless Read more at location 157
Know this Primal Power that guides without forcing that serves without seeking that brings forth and sustains life yet does not own or possess it One who holds this Power brings Tao to this very Earth Read more at location 163
Verse 11 Read more at location 168
Wu is nothingness, emptiness, non-existence Read more at location 168
Note: **** accordance with Buddhism, svabhava Edit
Thirty spokes of a wheel all join at a common hub yet only the hole at the center allows the wheel to spin Clay is molded to form a cup yet only the space within allows the cup to hold water Walls are joined to make a room yet only by cutting out a door and a window can one enter the room and live there Thus, when a thing has existence alone it is mere dead-weight Only when it has wu, does it have life Read more at location 169
Note: Wu weu Edit
Verse 12 Read more at location 174
the Sage is led by his inner truth and not his outer eye He holds to what is deep and not what lies on the surface Read more at location 178
Verse 13 Read more at location 180
“Be wary of both honor and disgrace” “Endless affliction is bound to the body” Read more at location 180
What does it mean, “Be wary of both honor and disgrace”? Honor is founded on disgrace and disgrace is rooted in honor Both should be avoided Both bind a man to this world Read more at location 182
What does it mean, “Endless affliction is bound to the body”? Man’s true self is eternal, yet he thinks, “I am this body, I will soon die” This false sense of self is the cause of all his sorrow When a person does not identify himself with the body tell me, what troubles could touch him? Read more at location 185
One who sees himself as everything is fit to be guardian of the world Read more at location 188
Note: ******* akin to Isha Upanishad Edit
Verse 14 Read more at location 190
Eyes look but cannot see it Ears listen but cannot hear it Hands grasp but cannot touch it Beyond the senses lies the great Unity— invisible, inaudible, intangible Read more at location 191
What rises up appears bright What settles down appears dark Yet there is neither darkness nor light just an unbroken dance of shadows From nothingness to fullness and back again to nothingness This formless form This imageless image cannot be grasped by mind or might Read more at location 193
Know That which is beyond all beginnings and you will know everything here and now Know everything in this moment and you will know the Eternal Tao Read more at location 197
Note: ***** Edit
Verse 15 Read more at location 199
Those who have Tao want nothing else Though seemingly empty they are ever full Though seemingly old they are beyond the reach of birth and death Read more at location 208
Verse 16 Read more at location 210
Become totally empty Quiet the restlessness of the mind Only then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness See all things flourish and dance in endless variation And once again merge back into perfect emptiness— Their true repose Their true nature Emerging, flourishing, dissolving back again This is the eternal process of return To know this process brings enlightenment To miss this process brings disaster Read more at location 211
Note: Impermanence. Edit
Be still Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity Eternity embraces the all-possible The all-possible leads to a vision of oneness A vision of oneness brings about universal love Universal love supports the great truth of Nature The great truth of Nature is Tao Whoever knows this truth lives forever Read more at location 216
Note: **** Edit
Verse 17 Read more at location 221
To know Tao alone, without trace of your own existence, is the highest Read more at location 221
Note: Selfless Edit
The great ruler speaks little and his words are priceless He works without self-interest and leaves no trace When all is finished, the people say, “It happened by itself” Read more at location 226
Note: Leadership Edit
Verse 18 Read more at location 228
When the greatness of Tao is present action arises from one’s own heart When the greatness of Tao is absent action comes from the rules Read more at location 229
Verse 19 Read more at location 235
The essence of my teachings is this: See with original purity Embrace with original simplicity Reduce what you have Decrease what you want Read more at location 240
Note: **** Edit
Verse 20 Read more at location 242
I am but a guest in this world While others rush about to get things done I accept what is offered Oh, my mind is like that of a fool aloof to the clamor of life around me Read more at location 249
Everyone is so rooted in this world yet I have no place to rest my head Indeed I am different…. I have no treasure but the Eternal Mother I have no food but what comes from her breast Read more at location 254
Verse 21 Read more at location 256
Perfect action, True virtue, Supreme power, This is how Tao is revealed through those who follow it completely Read more at location 257
Though formless and intangible It gives rise to form Though vague and elusive It gives rise to shapes Though dark and obscure It is the spirit, the essence, the life-breath of all things “But is it real?” you ask— I say its evidence is all of creation! Read more at location 259
Note: **** Edit
From the first moment to the present The Name has been sounding It is the gate through which the universe enters The witness by which the universe sees How have I come to know all this? That very Name has told me, That Name which is sounding right here, right now Read more at location 263
Note: Importance of name for God; Om, Yahweh, Allah... Edit
Verse 22 Read more at location 267
“Surrender brings perfection” Read more at location 268
Note: ****** Edit
The crooked become straight The empty become full The worn become new Have little and gain much Have much and be confused Read more at location 268
the Sage embraces the One and becomes a model for the world Without showing himself, he shines forth Without promoting himself, he is distinguished Without claiming reward, he gains endless merit Without seeking glory, his glory endures Read more at location 270
Verse 23 Read more at location 277
A strong wind does not blow all morning A cloudburst does not last all day The wind and rain are from Heaven and Earth and even these do not last long How much less so the efforts of man? Read more at location 278
Note: Impermanence Edit
One who lives in accordance with the Truth becomes the embodiment of Tao His actions become those of Nature his ways those of Heaven It is through such a one that Heaven rejoices that Earth rejoices that all of life rejoices Read more at location 280
Verse 24 Read more at location 283
To the self-serving, nothing shines forth To the self-promoting, nothing is distinguished To the self-appointing, nothing bears fruit To the self-righteous, nothing endures From the viewpoint of Tao, this self-indulgence is like rotting food and painful growths on the body— Read more at location 285
When walking the path of Tao this is the very stuff that must be uprooted, thrown out, and left behind Read more at location 288
Verse 25 Read more at location 290
Something formless, complete in itself There before Heaven and Earth Tranquil, vast, standing alone, unchanging It provides for all things yet cannot be exhausted It is the mother of the universe I do not know its name so I call it “Tao” Forced to name it further I call it “The greatness of all things” “The end of all endings” I call it “That which is beyond the beyond” “That to which all things return” Read more at location 291
Note: **** Edit
Mankind depends on the laws of Earth Earth depends on the laws of Heaven Heaven depends on the laws of Tao But Tao depends on itself alone Supremely free, self-so, it rests in its own nature Read more at location 298
Verse 26 Read more at location 301
The inner is foundation of the outer The still is master of the restless Read more at location 301
Note: **** Edit
The Sage travels all day yet never leaves his inner treasure Read more at location 302
Verse 27 Read more at location 307
A knower of the Truth travels without leaving a trace speaks without causing harm gives without keeping an account Read more at location 308
Note: **** Edit
The path of the Sage is called “The Path of Illumination” He who gives himself to this path is like a block of wood that gives itself to the chisel— Cut by cut it is honed to perfection Read more at location 313
Giving and receiving are one This is called, “The great wonder” “The essential mystery” “The very heart of all that is true” Read more at location 318
Note: ***** Edit
Verse 28 Read more at location 320
Hold your male side with your female side Hold your bright side with your dull side Hold your high side with your low side Then you will be able to hold the whole world Read more at location 321
When the opposing forces unite within there comes a power abundant in its giving and unerring in its effect Flowing through everything It returns one to the First Breath Guiding everything It returns one to No Limits Embracing everything It returns one to the Uncarved Block Read more at location 323
Note: ****** Edit
But the Sage holds the Block complete Holding all things within himself he preserves the Great Unity which cannot be ruled or divided Read more at location 327
Verse 29 Read more at location 329
The world is Tao’s own vessel It is perfection manifest It cannot be changed It cannot be improved For those who go on tampering, it’s ruined For those who try to grasp, it’s gone Read more at location 331
Allow your life to unfold naturally Know that it too is a vessel of perfection Read more at location 333
Note: **** Edit
To the Sage all of life is a movement toward perfection So what need has he for the excessive, the extravagant, or the extreme? Read more at location 336
Verse 30 Read more at location 338
Those who rule in accordance with Tao do not use force against the world For that which is forced is likely to return— Read more at location 339
A knower of the Truth does what is called for then stops He uses his strength but does not force things In the same way complete your task seek no reward make no claims Read more at location 342
Things that gain a place by force will flourish for a time but then fade away They are not in keeping with Tao Whatever is not in keeping with Tao will come to an early end Read more at location 346
Verse 31 Read more at location 349
Even the finest warrior is defeated when he goes against natural law By his own hand he is doomed and all creatures are likely to despise him Read more at location 349
One who knows Tao never turns from life’s calling When at home he honors the side of rest When at war he honors the side of action Peace and tranquility are what he holds most dear Read more at location 351
One who is bound to action, proud of victory, and delights in the misfortune of others will never gain a thing from this world below Heaven Read more at location 357
Verse 32 Read more at location 359
Tao is eternal, one without a second Simple indeed yet so subtle that no one can master it Read more at location 359
Note: **** Edit
This world is nothing but the glory of Tao expressed through different names and forms One who sees the things of this world as being real and self-existent has lost sight of the truth To him, every word becomes a trap every thing becomes a prison Read more at location 363
Note: **** Edit
One who knows the truth that underlies all things lives in this world without danger To him, every word reflects the universe every moment brings enlightenment Read more at location 366
Note: ********* Edit
Verse 33 Read more at location 370
One who knows others is intelligent One who knows himself is enlightened Read more at location 371
Note: ******** Edit
One who conquers others is strong One who conquers himself is all-powerful Read more at location 372
Verse 34 Read more at location 377
The great Tao flows everywhere It fills everything to the left and to the right All things owe their existence to it and it cannot deny any one of them Tao is eternal It does not favor one over the other It brings all things to completion without their even knowing it Tao nourishes and protects all creatures yet does not claim lordship over them Read more at location 377
Tao is the home to which all things return yet it wants nothing in return So we call it “The Greatest” The Sage is the same way— He does not claim greatness over anything Read more at location 382
Verse 35 Read more at location 386
Hold fast to the Great Form within and let the world pass as it may Then the changes of life will not bring pain but contentment, joy, and well-being Read more at location 386
Note: **** Edit
How bland and insipid are the things of this world when one compares them with Tao! Read more at location 389
One may look for fulfillment in this world but his longings will never be exhausted The only thing he ever finds is that he himself is exhausted Read more at location 391
Verse 36 Read more at location 393
Contraction pulls at that which extends too far Weakness pulls at that which strengthens too much Ruin pulls at that which rises too high Read more at location 394
The lesson here is called “The wisdom of obscurity”— The gentle outlast the strong The obscure outlast the obvious Read more at location 397
Verse 37 Read more at location 400
Tao does not act yet it is the root of all action Tao does not move yet it is the source of all creation Read more at location 401
Note: **** Edit
When there is silence one finds peace When there is silence one finds the anchor of the universe within himself Read more at location 405
Verse 38 Read more at location 407
To give without seeking reward To help without thinking it is virtuous— therein lies great virtue Read more at location 407
The highest virtue is to act without a sense of self The highest kindness is to give without condition The highest justice is to see without preference Read more at location 410
The rules of conduct are just an outer show of devotion and loyalty— quite confusing to the heart And when men rely on these rules for guidance— Oh, what ignorance abounds! Read more at location 414
Verse 39 Read more at location 420
From ancient times till now the One has been the source of all attainments Read more at location 420
The pieces of a chariot are useless unless they work in accordance with the whole A man’s life brings nothing unless he lives in accordance with the whole universe Playing one’s part in accordance with the universe is true humility So whether you’re a gem in the royal court or a stone on the common path If you accept your part with humility the glory of the universe will be yours Read more at location 429
Verse 40 Read more at location 434
The movement of Tao is to return The way of Tao is to yield Heaven, Earth, and all things are born of the existent world The existent world is born of the nothingness of Tao Read more at location 435
Note: **** Buddhism Edit
Verse 41 Read more at location 437
When the best seeker hears of Tao he strives with great effort to know it When an average seeker hears of Tao he thinks of it now and again When the poorest seeker hears of Tao he laughs out loud Read more at location 438
Note: **** Edit
Tao is always becoming what we have need for it to become If it could not do this it would not be Tao Read more at location 440
There is an old saying, The clear way seems clouded The straight way seems crooked The sure way seems unsteady Read more at location 442
A beginner may be clumsy but after practice—what talent! A large drum may sit silently but when banged—what noise! Tao lies hidden yet it alone is the glorious light of this world Read more at location 447
Verse 42 Read more at location 449
Tao gives life to the one The one gives life to the two The two give life to the three The three give life to ten thousand things Read more at location 450
All beings support yin and embrace yang and the interplay of these two forces fills the universe Yet only at the still-point, between the breathing in and the breathing out, can one capture these two in perfect harmony Read more at location 452
Note: **** Edit
Who knows what fate may bring— one day your loss may be your fortune one day your fortune may be your loss Read more at location 457
The age-old lesson that others teach, I also teach— “As you plant, so you reap” “As you live, so you die” Know this to be the foundation of my teachings Read more at location 458
Note: Karma Edit
Verse 43 Read more at location 461
The most yielding thing in the world will overcome the most rigid The most empty thing in the world will overcome the most full From this comes a lesson— Stillness benefits more than action Silence benefits more than words Rare indeed are those who are still Rare indeed are those who are silent And so I say, Rare indeed are those who obtain the bounty of this world Read more at location 461
Verse 44 Read more at location 466
One’s own reputation—why the fuss? One’s own wealth—why the concern? I say, what you gain is more trouble than what you lose Read more at location 467
Note: ************ Edit
Be content, rest in your own fullness— You will not suffer from loss You’ll avoid the snare of this world You’ll have long life and endless blessings Read more at location 470
Verse 45 Read more at location 472
The Great Perfection seems imperfect yet this world it creates is never impaired The Great Fullness seems empty yet this world it creates is never lacking Read more at location 473
Note: **** Edit
Great truth seems false Great skill seems clumsy Great eloquence seems like babble Read more at location 475
Verse 46 Read more at location 479
There is no greater loss than losing Tao No greater curse than desire No greater tragedy than discontentment No greater fault than selfishness Contentment alone is enough Indeed, the bliss of eternity can be found in your contentment Read more at location 482
Note: *********** Edit
Verse 47 Read more at location 485
Without going outside one can know the whole world Without looking out the window one can see the ways of Heaven The farther one goes the less one knows Thus the Sage does not go, yet he knows He does not look, yet he sees He does not do, yet all is done Read more at location 486
Verse 48 Read more at location 490
To become learned, gain daily To obtain Tao, reduce daily Read more at location 490
Note: ************ Edit
Reduce and reduce again until all action is reduced to non-action Then no one is left Nothing is done yet nothing is left undone Read more at location 491
One who gives freely and without attachment gets a full life in return One who gives with the secret hope of getting is merely engaged in business Truly, they neither give nor receive any of the treasure from this world below Heaven Read more at location 493
Note: **** Edit
Verse 49 Read more at location 496
The Sage lives in harmony with all below Heaven He sees everything as his own self He loves everyone as his own child Read more at location 501
Note: ***** Edit
Verse 50 Read more at location 503
Again and again Men come in with birth and go out with death One in three are followers of life One in three are followers of death And those just passing from life to death also number one in three But they all die in the end Why is this so? Because they clutch to life and cling to this passing world I hear that one who lives by his own truth is not like this He walks without making footprints in this world Read more at location 504
Verse 51 Read more at location 512
Tao gives all things life Te gives them fulfillment Nature is what shapes them Living is what brings them to completion Every creature honors Tao and worships Te not by force but through its own living and breathing Though Tao gives life to all things Te is what cultivates them Te is that magic power that raises and rears them completes and prepares them comforts and protects them Read more at location 513
To create without owning To give without expecting To fill without claiming This is the profound action of Tao The highest expression of Te Read more at location 518
Note: ******* Edit
Verse 52 Read more at location 520
That which creates the universe is the Mother of the world By knowing the Mother one knows her children By knowing her children one comes to know her Such is their unity that one does not exist without the other Fully embrace your life and you will share in the glory of creation The Mother herself will be your guardian And all her creation will be your guide Read more at location 520
Note: **** Edit
Seeing your own smallness is called insight Honoring your own tenderness is called strength Read more at location 527
Only the inner light illumines eternity Read more at location 529
Note: **** Edit
Verse 53 Read more at location 533
The Great Path is simple and direct yet people love to take the side-routes Read more at location 535
Verse 54 Read more at location 541
Truth, once established, can never be uprooted Goodness, once imbibed, can never be stripped away Read more at location 542
When a person embodies Tao his heart becomes true When a family embodies Tao it thrives When a village embodies Tao it is protected When a country embodies Tao it prospers When the world embodies Tao it reveals its perfection Read more at location 544
Tao is everywhere it has become everything To truly see it, see it as it is In a person, see it as a person In a family, see it as a family In a country, see it as a country In the world, see it as the world How have I come to know all this? Tao has shown me— Tao as all this! Read more at location 547
Note: **** Edit
Verse 55 Read more at location 551
One who embraces Tao will become pure and innocent like a newborn babe Read more at location 552
Know this harmony—it brings the Eternal Know the Eternal—it brings enlightenment Read more at location 557
A full life—this is your blessing A gentle heart—this is your strength Read more at location 558
Things in harmony with Tao remain Things that are forced, grow for a while but then wither away This is not Tao Whatever is not Tao comes to an early end Read more at location 559
Verse 56 Read more at location 561
One who speaks does not know One who knows does not speak Read more at location 562
Note: ******** Edit
Become one with the dust of the world This is called “The Secret Embrace” One who knows this secret is not moved by attachment or aversion, swayed by profit or loss, nor touched by honor or disgrace He is far beyond the cares of men yet comes to hold the dearest place in their hearts Read more at location 564
Verse 57 Read more at location 568
To rule the state, have a known plan To win a battle, have an unknown plan To gain the universe, have no plan at all Read more at location 569
Let the universe itself reveal to you its splendor Read more at location 570
Verse 58 Read more at location 576
Bad fortune, yes— it rests upon good fortune Good fortune, yes— it hides within bad fortune Read more at location 579
Verse 59 Read more at location 585
Rule the people and serve Heaven yet hold nothing more dear than the Mother’s harvest Let every thought and every breath be the fruit of your offering— Read more at location 586
never lose sight of the Mother Without her your empire will crumble your power will waste away For the Mother brings the harvest She alone causes all things to endure We call this “Deep roots and a solid trunk” “The way of long life and lasting insight” Read more at location 590
Verse 60 Read more at location 594
When Tao is present in the empire dark spirits lose their power It’s not that they have no power it’s that their power can’t harm anyone When Tao is present the people enjoy the blessings of Heaven They find unity They find peace Read more at location 596
Verse 61 Read more at location 601
A great state is like a river basin that receives everything flowing into it It is the place where all things come to rest where all the world is welcomed The low is greater than the high Read more at location 601
The Sage wants to uplift the people The people want to follow the Sage only by being low does this come to be The Sage bows to the people The people bow to the Sage And when they lift up their heads only greatness remains Read more at location 605
Verse 62 Read more at location 608
Tao is the treasure-house the true nature the secret source of everything Read more at location 608
Note: **** Edit
If a person seems wicked do not cast him away— Awaken him with your words Elevate him with your deeds Requite his injury with your kindness Do not cast him away cast away his wickedness Read more at location 610
Note: ********** Edit
This is why the ancient masters honored the inward path of Tao Did they not say “Seek and you will find”? “Err and you will be forgiven”? Within, within This is where the world’s treasure has always been Read more at location 615
Note: ********** Edit
Verse 63 Read more at location 619
Act without acting Give without giving Taste without tasting Read more at location 619
Tao alone becomes all things great and all things small It is the One in many It is the many in One Read more at location 621
Note: **** Edit
Let Tao become all your actions then your wants will become your treasure your injury will become your blessing Read more at location 622
Note: ******* Edit
Take on difficulties while they are still easy Do great things while they are still small Step by step the world’s burden is lifted Piece by piece the world’s treasure is amassed Read more at location 624
Follow your path to the end Accept difficulty as an opportunity This is the sure way to end up with no difficulties at all Read more at location 628
Verse 64 Read more at location 630
A still mind can easily hold the truth The difficulties yet to come can easily be avoided Read more at location 631
Put things in order before they get out of hand Remember, A tree that fills a man’s embrace grows from a seedling A tower nine stories high starts with one brick A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step Read more at location 633
The Sage desires that which has no desires and teaches that which cannot be taught He does not value the objects held by a few but only that which is held by everyone He guides men back to their own treasure and helps all things come to know the truth they have forgotten All this he does without a stir Read more at location 639
Verse 65 Read more at location 643
The ancient ones were simple-hearted and blended with the common people They did not shine forth They did not rule with cleverness So the nation was blessed Read more at location 644
He who knows the play of Tao and Te knows the nature of the universe Tao brings forth Te from its own being Te expands in all directions filling every corner of the world becoming the splendor of all creation Yet at every moment Te seeks Tao This is the movement that guides the universe This is the impulse that leads all things back home Read more at location 648
Note: **** Edit
Verse 66 Read more at location 652
He who wishes to rule over the people must speak as if below them He who wishes to lead the people must walk as if behind them So the Sage rules over the people but he does not weigh them down He leads the people but he does not block their way The Sage stays low so the world never tires of exalting him He remains a servant so the world never tires of making him its king Read more at location 654
Verse 67 Read more at location 659
All the world talks about my Tao with such familiarity— What folly! Tao is not something found at the marketplace or passed on from father to son It is not something gained by knowing or lost by forgetting If Tao were like this It would have been lost and forgotten long ago Read more at location 660
I have three treasures that I cherish and hold dear the first is love the second is moderation the third is humility With love one is fearless With moderation one is abundant With humility one can fill the highest position Read more at location 664
Note: ******** Edit
Love vanquishes all attackers It is impregnable in defense When Heaven wants to protect someone does it send an army? No, it protects him with love Read more at location 668
Verse 68 Read more at location 670
The best warrior leads without haste fights without anger overcomes without confrontation He puts himself below and brings out the highest in his men Read more at location 670
This is the ancient path that leads to perfection Read more at location 674
Verse 69 Read more at location 675
There is no greater misfortune than feeling “I have an enemy” For when “I” and “enemy” exist together there is no room left for my treasure Read more at location 680
Note: ****** Edit
Verse 70 Read more at location 683
My teachings are very easy to understand and very easy to practice Yet so few in this world understand and so few are able to practice Read more at location 684
Note: **** Edit
My words arise from that ancient source My actions are those of the universe itself If people do not know these how can they know me? Read more at location 685
Verse 71 Read more at location 689
Only when your sickness becomes sick will your sickness disappear Read more at location 691
The Sage’s illness has become ill his renunciation has been renounced Now he is free And every place in this world is the perfect place to be Read more at location 692
Verse 72 Read more at location 695
When the people do not fear worldly power a greater power will arrive Read more at location 695
Don’t limit the view of yourself Don’t despise the conditions of your birth Don’t resist the natural course of your life In this way you will never weary of this world Read more at location 696
Note: **** Edit
The Sage knows himself, but not as himself he loves himself, but not as himself he honors himself, but not as himself Thus, he discards the view of his own self and chooses the view of the universe Read more at location 698
Note: *********** Edit
Verse 73 Read more at location 701
Bold action against others leads to death Bold action in harmony with Tao leads to Read more at location 701
Good fortune, bad fortune One seems to bring benefit the other to cause harm But Heaven rejects them both Both, in the end, tether men to this world Read more at location 703
Note: Attachment, Buddhism Edit
Who can know the reasons of Heaven? Who can know its endless ways? Not even the Sage has an answer to this one Read more at location 705
Note: Like Bible, Psalms or Proverbs Edit
Heaven’s way does not strive yet it always overcomes It does not speak, yet it responds It is not summoned, yet it appears It does not hurry, yet it completes everything on time The net of Heaven spans the universe yet not the slightest thing ever slips by Read more at location 707
Verse 74 Read more at location 711
Whoever cuts with the blade of a master carpenter is sure to cut his own hands Read more at location 715
Verse 75 Read more at location 716
The treasure of life is missed by those who hold on and gained by those who let go Read more at location 722
Verse 76 Read more at location 723
When life begins we are tender and weak When life ends we are stiff and rigid All things, including the grass and trees, are soft and pliable in life dry and brittle in death Read more at location 724
So the soft and supple are the companions of life While the stiff and unyielding are the companions of death An army that cannot yield will be defeated A tree that cannot bend will crack in the wind Thus by Nature’s own decree the hard and strong are defeated while the soft and gentle are triumphant Read more at location 726
Note: **** Edit
Verse 77 Read more at location 731
The Sage gives without relying on his own effort He completes without waiting for reward He illumines without stepping from the shadow Read more at location 736
Verse 78 Read more at location 738
Nothing in this world is as soft and yielding as water Yet for attacking the hard and strong none can triumph so easily Read more at location 739
Verse 79 Read more at location 746
Being content with what you have is always best in the end Read more at location 747
Note: ******* Edit
One with true virtue always seeks a way to give One who lacks true virtue always seeks a way to get To the giver comes the fullness of life to the taker just an empty hand Read more at location 750
Note: ******** Edit
Though the Tao of Heaven has no favorites it always sides with one who has a pure heart Read more at location 752
Verse 80 Read more at location 753
Let every state be simple like a small village with few people Read more at location 754
Verse 81 Read more at location 763
Words born of the mind are not true True words are not born of the mind Read more at location 764
Note: ******* Edit
Those who have virtue do not look for faults Those who look for faults have no virtue Read more at location 765
Those who come to know It do not rely on learning Those who rely on learning do not come to know It Read more at location 766
Note: **** Edit
The Sage sees the world as an expansion of his own self So what need has he to accumulate things? Read more at location 768
Note: **** Edit
Heaven gives, and all things turn out for the best The Sage lives, and all things go as Tao goes all things move as the wind blows Read more at location 771
by Lao Tzu, Sam Torode
Translated by: Sam Torode
You have 215 highlighted passages
You have 40 notes
Last annotated on May 13, 2017
1 WHAT IS THE TAO? Read more at location 14
The Tao that can be understood is not the eternal, cosmic Tao, just as an idea that can be expressed in words is not the infinite idea. Read more at location 15
Note: ********* Edit
And yet this ineffable Tao is the source of all spirit and matter; expressing itself, it is the mother of all created things. Read more at location 17
these two things, matter and spirit, so different in nature, have the same origin. This unity is the mystery of mysteries, and the gateway to spirituality. Read more at location 19
2 OPPOSITES Read more at location 22
The long and the short, the high and the low, the loud and soft, the before and the after— all are opposites. Each reveals the other. Read more at location 26
The wise are not conspicuous in their actions or given to much talking. When troubles arise, they are not irritated. Read more at location 28
Note: **** Edit
3 RESTRAINT Read more at location 32
When a ruler is silent on the subject of virtue, the people are discouraged from practicing it. Meanwhile, a ruler who revels in riches encourages thievery. Read more at location 33
Note: **** leadership Edit
Value virtue over wealth, and the people’s hearts will be at rest. Wise rulers do not accumulate treasures, but seek to quiet the hearts of their people. They soothe the people’s appetites and strengthen their bones. They treasure innocence, and protect the simple from the schemes of the clever. When a ruler practices restraint, everything will be in peace. Read more at location 35
Note: **** political, leadership Edit
4 THE ETERNAL TAO Read more at location 40
The Tao seems empty, yet it is never exhausted. Read more at location 42
It existed before anything. It dulls its own sharpness, breaks its own bonds, dims its own brightness, identifies with its own dust. Oh, it is peaceful! It is infinite, eternal. Read more at location 42
No one knows from where it came. It is older than the gods. Read more at location 45
5 IMPARTIALITY Read more at location 47
The wise are also impartial; to them all people are equal and alike. Read more at location 50
6 THE SOURCE Read more at location 55
The Spirit of the perennial spring is said to be immortal. She is called the Mysterious One. The Mysterious One is the source of the universe. She is continually, endlessly giving forth life, without effort. Read more at location 56
Note: **** Edit
7 HUMILITY Read more at location 60
The wise humble themselves— and because of their humility, they are worthy of praise. They put others first, and so become great. They are not focused on outcomes or achievements; therefore they always succeed. Read more at location 63
Note: Akin to Jesus, last as first Edit
8 GOODNESS Read more at location 67
True goodness is like water; it nurtures everything and harms nothing. Like water, it ever seeks the lowest place, the place that all others avoid. This is the way of the Tao. Read more at location 68
Note: ******* Edit
9 PRUDENCE Read more at location 74
If you continue filling a pail after it is full, the water will be wasted. If you continue grinding an axe after it is sharp, the edge will wear away. Who can protect a house full of gold and jewels? Excessive fortune brings about its own misfortune. Read more at location 76
10 LEAD WITHOUT FORCE Read more at location 81
By patience, you can discipline your desires. By self-control, you can develop strong character. By practicing gentleness, you can become as a little child. By purifying the subconscious, you may become perfect. Read more at location 82
Because wise rulers love the people, they lead without using force. Read more at location 85
While seeing into every corner, they are unobtrusive. While protecting the people, they do not control them. Read more at location 86
Note: Leadership Edit
They are motherly and fatherly, but not domineering. They persuade with words, not weapons. This is their crowning virtue. Read more at location 87
Note: Leadership Edit
11 IMMATERIALITY Read more at location 90
A jar is formed from clay, but its usefulness lies in the empty center. A room is made from four walls, but its usefulness lies in the space between. Read more at location 92
Matter is necessary to give form, but the value of reality lies in its immateriality. Read more at location 94
Note: *********** Edit
12 SEEK THE SPIRIT Read more at location 97
The wise attend to the inner truth of things and are not fooled by outward appearances. They ignore matter and seek the spirit. Read more at location 101
Note: ******* Edit
13 AVOID EXTREMES Read more at location 103
Flattery and disgrace are both to be feared, just as overeating and starvation are both harmful to the body. Read more at location 104
Over-concern is just as harmful as disregard. Read more at location 107
14 THE MYSTERIOUS TAO Read more at location 110
It is unseen because it is colorless; it is unheard because it is silent; if you try to grasp it, it will elude you, because it has no form. Read more at location 112
On the surface it appears incomprehensible, but in the depths it reveals itself. Read more at location 114
Note: **** Edit
It is the form of the formless, the image of the imageless. Read more at location 116
No one knows where it came from, or where it is going. Yet, by holding fast to the ancient Tao, the wise may grasp the present, because they understand the past. This is a clue to the Tao. Read more at location 117
15 ANCIENT MASTERS Read more at location 121
In ancient times, the masters were subtle, spiritual, profound, and wise. Their thoughts could not be easily understood. Read more at location 123
I will try to make their thoughts clear. To clarify muddy waters, you must hold them still and let things settle. To glimpse the secret of the Tao, you must keep still and quiet your mind. Read more at location 127
16 KNOW ETERNITY Read more at location 130
Seek an open mind—the ideal of vacuity. Seek composure—the essence of tranquility. Read more at location 132
All things are in process, rising and returning. Plants blossom for a season, then return to the root. In returning to the root, we find tranquility; this leads to our destiny, which is eternity. To know eternity is enlightenment; to ignore eternity is to invite calamity. Read more at location 133
The Tao is divine. The Tao is the Eternal. Death is not to be feared. Read more at location 138
Note: **** Edit
17 INVISIBLE LEADERS Read more at location 140
But when great rulers lead, the people are hardly aware of their existence. How carefully wise rulers choose their words; how simple are their actions. Under such a government, the people think they are ruling themselves. Read more at location 143
Note: **** leadership Edit
18 HYPOCRICY Read more at location 147
The great Tao is ignored, yet we speak of goodness and righteousness. Read more at location 148
19 FALSE AND TRUE RELIGION Read more at location 153
Abandon ostentatious benevolence and conspicuous righteousness; then the people will return to the core virtues of love and respect. Read more at location 155
Here are the four fundamentals of true spirituality: recognize simplicity, cherish purity, reduce your possessions, diminish your desires. Read more at location 158
Note: ********** Edit
20 COMMON PEOPLE Read more at location 160
If you would be at peace, beware of great knowledge. Read more at location 162
Note: **** Edit
There is a vast difference between book learning and true knowledge of the Tao! Read more at location 163
Common people have plenty; scholars are never satisfied. Common people are vibrant with common sense; scholars seem dull and confused. Common people are useful; scholars are useless. Read more at location 167
21 THE HEART OF THE TAO Read more at location 172
All the many forms of virtue flow from the Tao, but the nature of the Tao is infinitely illusive. Illusive, indeed, but at its heart is all being. Unfathomable, indeed, but at its heart is all spirit, and spirit is reality. Read more at location 174
Note: ***** Edit
The Tao is eternal and unceasing— it is present at all beginnings. Read more at location 177
22 REDEMPTION Read more at location 180
Not striving, they will become enlightened; not asserting themselves, they will become distinguished; not boasting, they will be praised; not building up themselves, they will endure. Read more at location 184
23 PEACE Read more at location 189
Peace is meant to be our natural state. Read more at location 191
They who follow the Tao, the Tao will guide. They who pursue virtue, virtue will reward. They who live by violence, violence will soon destroy. Read more at location 194
24 SELF-ASSERTION Read more at location 197
self-display, self-inflation, and self-assertion— to the Tao is the same as fat to lean meat. They are unhealthy excesses, fit to be trimmed off and discarded. The Tao is not in them. Read more at location 201
25 THE MOTHER OF ALL Read more at location 204
There is Being that encompasses all, and it existed before earth or the universe. Calm, indeed, and immaterial; it is singular and changeless. All creation flows from it and returns to it. It is the world’s mother. I cannot define it, but I will call it Tao. If forced to describe it, I will call it great. Read more at location 206
Note: **** Edit
The Tao has no mother, but is mother of all. Read more at location 213
26 SELF-MASTERY Read more at location 215
How did it happen that the emperor, master of ten thousand chariots, lost control of his empire? Being flippant himself, he lost the respect of his subjects. Failing to control himself, he lost the control of the empire. Read more at location 218
27 HIDDEN VALUES Read more at location 221
The wise, trusting in goodness, see the potential in others, treating no one as an outcast. Trusting in goodness, they redeem all things— nothing is worthless to them. They recognize hidden value. Read more at location 225
Each is valuable to the other. This is the significance of spirituality. Read more at location 229
28 KNOW YOURSELF Read more at location 230
Those who know both their masculine side and their feminine become fruitful like the valleys of earth. Read more at location 232
Radiating simplicity, wise rulers inspire others to follow their path. Such is the making of a great administration. Read more at location 237
29 POWER Read more at location 239
Society is a divine thing that cannot be remade. One who attempts to remake it will only deface it. Those who grasp for power will lose it. Read more at location 241
30 FIRM BUT NOT FORCEFUL Read more at location 246
When rulers follow the Tao, they have no need for armies to strengthen their country; their country is strong because its government is a blessing to all. Read more at location 248
Note: Leadership Edit
31 AVOID WAR Read more at location 256
Among all tools, weapons alone are cursed; all men come to despise them. Those who follow Tao do not need them. Weapons are not the tools of the wise; only as a last resort do the wise use them. Peace and tranquility are valued by wise rulers. Read more at location 257
Those rulers who rejoice over killing others will never bring happiness to their people. Read more at location 261
32 WHERE TO STOP Read more at location 265
The eternal Tao is unnamable. In its simplicity it appears insignificant, but the whole world cannot contain it. Read more at location 267
If rulers would follow it, their citizens would pay homage. If the people would follow it, they would have no need of rulers. Earth and sky are made one by it, Read more at location 268
33 IMMORTALITY Read more at location 274
Those who know others are intelligent; those who understand themselves are enlightened. Read more at location 275
Note: ********** Edit
34 TRUE GREATNESS Read more at location 279
The great Tao is everywhere! It is on both the right and the left. All things rely upon it for their existence, and it sustains them. Read more at location 281
It draws praise, but is not proud. It lovingly nourishes everything, and is not possessive. It desires nothing, and so it is considered small. Yet everything returns to it, and so it should be considered great. Read more at location 282
35 SEEK THE TAO Read more at location 287
Trifles and dainties attract the passing people, while the Tao goes unnoticed. When looked at, it is not much to see; when listened for, it can scarcely be heard; but when put into practice, it is inexhaustible. The world will go to those who seek the Tao; they will find contentment, peace, and rest. Read more at location 288
Note: Akin to Jesus Edit
36 PERSUASION Read more at location 293
That which contracts was first expanded; that which weakens was first made strong; that which falls was first raised up; that which scatters was first gathered up. It is paradoxical but true— the tender outlasts the rigid; the gentle defeats the strong. Read more at location 294
37 STOP STRIVING Read more at location 299
The Tao does nothing, and yet nothing remains undone. Read more at location 301
The way of the Tao is simple— stop striving, defeat desire. In the absence of striving, there is peace; in the absence of desire, there is satisfaction. Read more at location 303
Note: ***** Edit
38 TRUE VIRTUE Read more at location 306
True virtue does not assert itself, and therefore is unpretentious. False virtue is acting a part, and thereby is only pretense. Read more at location 309
When the Tao is lost, there is only virtue; when virtue is lost, there is only generosity; when generosity is lost, there is only justice; when justice is lost, only tradition remains. Tradition reduces loyalty and good faith to a shadow; it is the beginning of disorder. Read more at location 311
39 UNITY Read more at location 318
All things that attain unity have life. And the highest is that which produces unity. Rulers, as they attain unity, become models of conduct for the people. Read more at location 322
Nobles should find their roots among the commoners, for the high is always founded upon the low. Great rulers identify with orphans, inferiors, and the unworthy, because they recognize their roots in the lowest of their people. Read more at location 326
Note: Leadership Edit
40 NONEXISTENCE Read more at location 330
The Tao seems nonexistent, but it is the basis of existence. The universe, the earth, and everything in it comes from existence, but existence comes from nonexistence. Read more at location 332
41 STUDENTS Read more at location 335
A great student, when he hears of the Tao, earnestly practices it. A good student, when he hears of the Tao, sometimes follows it and sometimes loses it. A typical student, when he hears of the Tao, ridicules it. Read more at location 337
42 YIN AND YANG Read more at location 348
The Tao produces unity; unity produces duality; duality produces trinity; trinity produces all things. Read more at location 350
All things contain both the negative principle (yin) and the positive principle (yang). The third principle, energetic vitality (chi), makes them harmonious. Read more at location 351
43 STILLNESS AND SILENCE Read more at location 356
The soft overcomes the hard; the flexible conquers the stiff; the ethereal penetrates the solid. This is why there is great advantage in stillness and silence over movement and speaking. But few ever obtain the advantage, for few practice stillness and silence. Read more at location 357
44 TRUE FREEDOM Read more at location 361
Overindulgence creates waste. Hoarding invites loss. The man who is content with what he has is not in danger of loss. Read more at location 365
45 PERFECTIONISM Read more at location 368
Extreme perfection seems imperfect, for it never stops perfecting. Extreme fulfillment appears empty, for it never stops filling. Read more at location 369
Not extreme perfection, but purity and clarity are the targets at which we should aim. Read more at location 372
Note: Middle way Edit
46 CONTENTMENT Read more at location 374
There is no sin greater than desire. There is no misfortune greater than discontent. There is no calamity greater than greed. To know the Tao is to know contentment. Read more at location 377
Note: ********* Edit
47 EXPLORE WITHIN Read more at location 380
The wise explore without traveling, discern without seeing, finish without striving, and arrive at their destination without leaving home. Read more at location 384
48 CLEVERNESS Read more at location 387
Those who study in school become clever, while those who practice the Tao become simple. Again and again, students of the Tao must humble themselves, until they reach the state of non-doing. Then they will do nothing, yet leave nothing undone. Read more at location 388
49 UNIVERSALITY Read more at location 393
Wise rulers have boundless hearts; for in the hearts of the people, they find their own. Read more at location 394
The wise ruler treats the good with goodness; and treats the not-so-good with goodness, too— for goodness is its own reward. Read more at location 395
50 INVULNERABLE Read more at location 400
Life is a going forth; death is a returning home. Out of ten people, three are seeking life, three are seeking death, three are dying. Only one is immortal. Read more at location 401
51 PROFOUND VIRTUE Read more at location 408
The Tao gives life to all things; virtue feeds them; matter shapes them; energy completes them. This is why all things honor the Tao and esteem virtue. Honor for the Tao and esteem for virtue arise spontaneously. Read more at location 410
The Tao gives life freely, making no claim of ownership. Read more at location 414
52 THE TAO’S LIGHT Read more at location 417
To recognize your insignificance is empowering. To show sympathy is strength. Those who follow the Tao’s light arrive at enlightenment. Read more at location 422
53 THE PLAIN WAY Read more at location 425
It is not ignorance, but cleverness that you should fear. The great Way is very plain, so the proud prefer the bypaths. Read more at location 427
Note: ******* Edit
Pomp is contrary to the Tao. Read more at location 431
54 A MODEL FOR OTHERS Read more at location 432
A tree that is well-planted is not easily uprooted. A treasure that is well-guarded is not easily taken away. If you pass on the Tao to your children, your family’s virtue will endure. Read more at location 434
The one who practices the Tao shows that virtue is real. The family that practices the Tao shows that virtue is abiding. Read more at location 435
55 BECOME CHILDLIKE Read more at location 441
To increase life is to know blessedness. To increase inner vitality is to gain strength. As creatures grow and mature, they begin to decay. This is the opposite of the Tao— the Tao remains ever young. Read more at location 448
56 EMBRACE MYSTERY Read more at location 452
Those who talk do not know; those who know do not talk. Read more at location 453
Note: **** Edit
The wise shut their mouths and watch their actions. They dull their sharpness, unravel their tangles, dims their brilliance, and embrace the mysterious. They cannot be moved by praise or blame; they cannot be changed by profit or loss; they cannot be honored or humiliated. And so the wise are truly honored. Read more at location 454
57 GOOD GOVERNMENT Read more at location 459
The more restrictions are enacted, the poorer the people become. The more soldiers patrol the streets, the more disorderly the city becomes. The more officials are crafty and cunning, the harder the people are to control. The more laws and orders are issued, the more thieves and robbers abound. Read more at location 462
The wise ruler says: If a I practice restraint, the people will reform themselves. If I love peace, the people will become peaceful. If I am not greedy, the people will become prosperous. If I practice simplicity, the people will remain simple. Read more at location 465
Note: **** leadership Edit
58 SIMPLE AND SQUARE Read more at location 468
When an administration practices simplicity, the people are content. When an administration is nosy, the people become unruly. When the labor of the many supports the happiness of the few, such “happiness” only conceals misery. Read more at location 470
Note: Leadership, politics Edit
59 LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS Read more at location 477
In ruling and in life, nothing surpasses moderation. One must form the habit early. Read more at location 478
Note: **** Edit
60 FEARLESS Read more at location 485
When the people live freely and fearlessly, virtue will abound. Read more at location 489
61 SUBMISSION Read more at location 491
A well-governed state is like a woman. Just as a woman, through cheerful and able service, wins control over a man, so a great state, by its peaceful generosity to smaller countries, wins their allegiance; and so a small state, by yielding to a great state, wins influence over it. Read more at location 492
Great states have no higher purpose than to form a federation and feed the people. Small states have no higher purpose than to enter a federation and serve the people. Read more at location 497
62 THE SAVING TAO Read more at location 500
The Tao is the sanctuary of all— it is the good person’s treasure, and the bad person’s last resort. Beautiful words may sell goods, but it takes kind actions to save people. Read more at location 502
63 SMALL BEGINNINGS Read more at location 509
Avoid striving, and practice non-doing. Read more at location 511
Learn to taste the tasteless, Read more at location 511
Respond to hatred with kindness. Resolve difficulties while they are easy, and manage great things while they are small. Read more at location 513
All the world’s problems arise from slight causes, and all great achievements have small beginnings. Read more at location 514
64 ATTEND TO THE END Read more at location 519
That which is at rest is easily restrained; that which has not yet appeared is easily prevented. Read more at location 520
Consider difficulties before they arise, and order things before they become disorganized. Read more at location 522
A mighty tree grows from a tiny seed. A pagoda of nine stories is built from small bricks. A journey of three thousand miles begins with one step. Read more at location 523
65 PROFOUND SIMPLICITY Read more at location 530
In ancient times, rulers who followed the Tao did not puff up the people, but kept them simple-hearted. Clever people are difficult to govern. Read more at location 532
Note: Leadership Edit
66 LEAD FROM BELOW Read more at location 539
Wise rulers, desiring to lead the people, humble themselves and stay below them; wishing to help the people, they stay out of the way. Read more at location 541
Note: Leadership Edit
67 COMPASSION Read more at location 546
The Tao is by nature immaterial, yet all the world calls it great. It is because the Tao does not put on appearances that it is great. Read more at location 548
The Tao has three treasures which the wise guard and cherish: The first is compassion, the second is economy, the third is humility. Read more at location 550
Note: **** Edit
68 BRING OUT THE BEST Read more at location 557
The best warrior is not warlike; the best fighter is not frenzied; the best conqueror is not quarrelsome; the best ruler is not unruly. Read more at location 559
Bring out the best in yourself, and you will bring out the best in others. This is following the Tao. Since ancient days, it is the way of virtue. Read more at location 560
69 KNOW YOUR WEAKNESS Read more at location 563
There is no mistake greater than making light of an enemy. Through overconfidence, we make ourselves vulnerable. When well-matched armies come to conflict, the one that is aware of its own weakness conquers. Read more at location 568
70 HIDDEN TREASURE Read more at location 571
My words are easy to understand, and easy to put into practice— yet no one in the world seems to understand them or put them into practice. Read more at location 573
Note: Akin to Jesus, Heraclitus Edit
Words have an ancestor—an preceding idea, and deeds have a master—a preceding purpose. As ideas and purposes are often misunderstood, so I am misunderstood. Read more at location 575
71 NOT KNOWING Read more at location 579
To know that there are some things you cannot know is wisdom. The wise recognize the limits of their knowledge; the foolish think they know everything. Read more at location 581
Note: **** Edit
72 ROOM TO BREATHE Read more at location 584
Do not confine the people in tight quarters or they will chafe against your rule. Give them room to breathe, so they will not become restless. Read more at location 586
73 COURAGE AND CAUTION Read more at location 590
These two things, courage and caution, must be balanced. The right thing at one time is the wrong thing at another. This is why the wise approach everything with both courage and caution. Read more at location 592
74 SHARP TOOLS Read more at location 598
75 OPPRESSION Read more at location 604
When taxes are excessive, the people starve. When officials are overbearing, the people rebel. Read more at location 605
Oppressive measures never achieve their intended results. Read more at location 607
76 STAY FLEXIBLE Read more at location 609
A living being is tender and flexible; a corpse is hard and stiff. It is the same with everything— leaves and grasses are tender and delicate, but when they die they become rigid and dry. Those who are hard and inflexible belong to death’s domain; but the gentle and flexible belong to life. Read more at location 611
Note: **** perennial philosophy, religion Edit
77 THE USES OF WEALTH Read more at location 617
This is the Tao— it diminishes those who have abundance, and nourishes those who lack. The human way is just the opposite— creditors take from those who lack and lavishes those who already abound! Read more at location 620
The wise earn much, but claim it not for themselves. They accomplish much, but are not attached to their accomplishments. Read more at location 624
78 PARADOXICAL TRUTHS Read more at location 627
Nothing is gentler than water, yet nothing can withstand its force. Likewise, nothing compares to the Tao. By it the weak defeat the strong; and the flexible conqueror the rigid. Read more at location 629
Truth is often paradoxical. Read more at location 633
Note: **** Edit
79 AVOID LAWSUITS Read more at location 634
It is virtuous to keep one’s obligations, but the wise go beyond this— they do not insist on their rights, but forgive the debts of those who owe them. They know that the Tao will reward them Read more at location 638
80 HAPPY AT HOME Read more at location 641
In a small country with few people, government is still necessary— but let it be very limited. Read more at location 643
Note: leadership Edit
81 TRUE WORDS Read more at location 651
True words are often unpleasant; pleasant words are often untrue. Those who know the truth do not argue about it; those who argue about it do not know the truth. Read more at location 652
Note: ******** Edit
Scholars are seldom the wisest people; the wise are seldom scholars. Read more at location 655
Those who steal from others impoverish themselves; those who give to others become rich. Read more at location 656
Those who fight do not win; those who win do not fight. This is the way of the Tao. Read more at location 657
Note: **** Edit
TAO TE CHING: The Book of Meaning and Life
By Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu sets forth the philosophy of Taoism in the Tao Te Ching. Taoism teaches ideals of selflessness and of non-action. The very interesting paradox of Taoism is as follows: Tao is a judge (draws a line to determine beauty, goodness, wisdom, etc.), but does not judge (yet, go figure, names “sins” such as: many desires). Tao flows through time without shape or form, without definition; for Tao defines, it is not defined. Lao Tzu sees the essence of Tao (God) as non-existence. He says, “non-existence creates existence.” Thus, the highest state that man can achieve is one of total selflessness, total inaction, total nonexistence… total peace. Perhaps it’s best summed up by the proverb: “Tao is eternal without doing, and yet nothing remains not done.” Many of proverbs are very similar to the New Testament teachings of Jesus; namely that both teach the sacrifice of “self.”
1: “The Tao that can be expressed is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
2: “If all earth acknowledges the beautiful as beautiful, then thereby the ugly is already posited. If all on earth acknowledge the good as good, then thereby is the non-good already posited. For existence and non-existence generate each other. Heavy and light complete each other. Long and short shape each other. High and deep convert each other. Before and after follow each other.”
3: “Therefore the Man of Calling governs thus: He empties their hearts and fills their bellies. He weakens their will and strengthens their bones and brings about that people remain without knowledge and without wishes, and he takes care that those who know dare not act. He does the non-doing, and thus everything falls into place.”
4: “Tao is forever flowing. …I do not know whose son it is: It seems to be earlier than God.”
5: “It is better to guard the ‘within’.”7: “Thus also is the Man of Calling: He disregards himself, and his Self is increased. He gives himself away and his Self is preserved.”
8: “The highest benevolence is like water. The benevolence of water is to benefit all beings without strife. It dwells in places which man despises. Therefore it stands close to Tao.” (Inferred: Man is inherently evil; anti-Tao)
9: “When the work is done it is time to withdraw: this is the Tao of Heaven.”
10: “Generating and nourishing, generating and not possessing, being effective and not retaining, increasing and not dominating: this is the secret of Life.”
13: “Grace is as shameful as fright. …Grace is something inferior. One attains it, and one is as if frightened.”
14: “This is called the formless form, the objectless image… If one holds fast to the Tao of antiquity in order to master today’s existence, one may know the ancient beginning. This means: Tao’s continuous thread.”
15: “Because one cannot know them, therefore one can only painfully describe their exterior.”
19: “Show simplicity, hold fast to honesty! Diminish selfishness, reduce desire! Give up learnedness! Thus you shall become free of sorrows.”
23: “Use words sparingly, then all things will fall into place.”
25: “There is one thing that is invariably complete: …I call it Tao. …There are in space four Great Ones, and Man is one of them. Man conforms to Earth. Earth conforms to Heaven. Heaven conforms to Tao. Tao conforms to itself.”
26: “Through restlessness one loses mastery.”
28: “…Great Design has no need for pruning.”
29: “The world is a spiritual thing which must not be handled. …whosoever wants to hold on to it loses it. …Therefore the Man of Calling avoids what is too intense, too much, too big.”
31: “If fortunate circumstances one considers the left the place of honor. If unfortunate circumstance one considers the right the place of honor. The vice-commander stands to the left, the supreme commander to the right.” (The subordinate role is the Tao preference)
32: “Tao as the eternal is unutterable simplicity.”
33: “Whosoever knows other is clever. Whosoever knows himself is wise. Whosoever conquers others has force. Whosoever conquers himself is strong. Whosoever asserts himself has will-power. Whosoever is self-sufficient is rich. Whosoever does not lose his place has duration. Whosoever does not perish in death lives.”
36: “What you want to compress you must first allow truly to expand. What you want to weaken you must first allow to grow truly strong. What you want to destroy you must first allow truly to flourish. From whomever you want to take away to him you must first truly
37: “Tao is eternal without doing, and yet nothing remains not
38: “Whosoever cherishes Life does not know about Life, therefore he has Life. Whosoever does not cherish Life seek not to lose Life, therefor he has no Life. Whosoever cherishes Life does not act and has no designs. Whosoever does not cherish Life acts and has designs. Whosoever cherishes love acts but has no designs. Whosoever cherishes justice acts and has designs. Whosoever cherishes morality acts, and if someone does not respond to him he waves his arms about and pulls him up. Therefore: If Tao is lost, then Life. If love is lost, then justice. If justice is lost, then mortality. Morality is the penury of faith and trust and the beginning of confusion.”
39: “Heaven attained the One and became pure. Earth attained the One and became firm. The Gods attained the One and became powerful. The valley attained the One and fulfilled itself. All things attained the One and came into existence. Kings and princes attained the One and became examples to the world. All this has been effected by the One.”
40: “Return is the movement of Tao. Weakness is the effect of Tao. All things under Heaven come about in existence. Existence comes about in non-existence.”
42: “Tao generates the One.”
45: “Purity and stillness are the world’s measuring gauge.”:
46: “There is no greater sin than many desires. There is no greater evil than not to know sufficiency. There is no greater defect than wanting to possess. Therefore: the sufficiency of sufficiency is lasting sufficiency.”
48: “Whosoever practices learning increases daily. Whosoever practices Tao decreases daily. He decreases and decreases, until at least he arrives at non-action. In non-action nothing remains not done.”
49: “The Man of Calling has no heart of his own. He makes the people’s heart his own.”
51: “Tao generates. Life nourishes. Environment shapes. Influences complete. Therefore: all beings honor Tao, and cherish Life. Tao is honored, Life is cherished without being outwardly appointed, just for themselves.
53: “If I really know what it means to live in the great Tao, then it is, above all, busy-ness that I fear.”
54: “Whosoever molds his person, his life becomes true. Whosoever molds his family, his life becomes complete… Therefore: by your own person judge the person of the other.”
57: “Therefore, the Man of Calling says: If we do nothing, the people will change of themselves. If we love stillness, the people right themselves of themselves. If we undertake nothing, the people will become rich of themselves. If we have no cravings, the people will become simple of themselves.”
58: “The ruler whose government is calm and unobtrusive, his people are upright and honest. The ruler whose government is sharpwitted and strict, his people are underhand and unreliable.”
61: “The great realm desires nothing but to take part in the service of men.”:
63: “Whosoever practices non-action, occupies himself with not being occupied, finds taste in what does not taste: he sees the great in the small and the much in the little. …Do the great thing while it is still small.”
64: “Thus also is the Man of Calling: He desires desirelessness. …He learns non-learning.”
65: “The difficulty in leading the people comes from their knowing too much.”
66: “Rivers and seas are the kinds of the streams because they know how to keep themselves below. …Because he does not quarrel, no one in the world can quarrel with him.”
67: “I have three treasures that I treasure and guard. The first is called ‘love’; the second is called ‘sufficiency’; the third is called ‘not daring to lead the world.’ Through love one may be courageous, through sufficiency one may be generous… Whom Heaven wants to save, him he protects through love.”
68: “Whosoever knows how to lead well is not warlike. Whosoever knows how to fight well is not angry. Whosoever knows how to conquer enemies does not fight them. Whosoever knows how to use men well keeps himself below. This is the Life that does not quarrel; this the power of using men; this is the pole that reaches up to Heaven.”
71: “To know non-knowledge is the highest good.”
72: “Thus also is the Man of Calling: He knows himself but does not want to shine. He loves himself but does not seek honor for
74: “If the people do not fear death, how can one frighten them with death?”
76: “The hard and the strong are companions of death; the soft and the weak of companions of Life.”
77: “It is the Tao of Heaven to reduce what has too much and to complete what does not have enough.”
78: “Everyone on earth knows that the weak conquers the strong and the soft conquers the hard—but no one is capable of acting accordingly. …True words are as if contrary.”
79: “Whosoever has Life adheres to his duty. Whosoever does not have Life adheres to his right.”
81: “True words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not true. Competence does not persuade; persuasion is not competent. The sage is not learned, the learned man is not wise. The Man of Calling does not heap up possessions. The more he does for others, the more he possesses. The more he gives to others, the more he has. The Tao of Heaven is ‘furthering without causing harm.’ The Tao of the Man of Calling is to be effective without quarreling.”