diff --git a/PERMISSION b/PERMISSION new file mode 100644 index 0000000..271ff74 --- /dev/null +++ b/PERMISSION @@ -0,0 +1,40 @@ +From: "Charles Muller" +To: "Emma Tebibyte" +Date: 2023-12-29 11:24 PM +Subject: Re: Tao Te Ching translation license + +Dear Emma, + +> +> I just wanted to inquire on the license of the Tao Te Ching translation +> you have on your website [1]. I have a project in which I am +> reimplementing the Unix fortune(1) command [2] and since I enjoyed your +> translation I wanted to know if the license permits me to distribute your work +> with my fortunes. + +Sure, please do. + +If there's a way that you can make clear that you are citing my work, +please do that. + +Regards, + +Charles + + +-- + +--------------------------- +A. Charles Muller, Professor + +Buddhist Culture Research Center +Musashino University +1-1-20 Shinmachi, Nishitokyo-shi +Tokyo 202-8585, Japan +Office Phone: 042-468-3145 + +(University of Tokyo, Professor Emeritus) +Web Site: Resources for East Asian Language and Thought +http://www.acmuller.net + +Twitter: @ACharlesMuller diff --git a/tao b/tao new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e4026f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/tao @@ -0,0 +1,1572 @@ +The Way that can be followed is not the eternal Way. +The name that can be named is not the eternal name. +The nameless is the origin of heaven and earth +While naming is the origin of the myriad things. +Therefore, always desireless, you see the mystery +Ever desiring, you see the manifestations. +These two are the same— +When they appear they are named differently. + +This sameness is the mystery, +Mystery within mystery; + +The door to all marvels. + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +All in the world recognize the beautiful as beautiful. +Herein lies ugliness. +All recognize the good as good. +Herein lies evil. + +Therefore +Presence and absence produce each other. +Difficulty and ease bring about each other. +Long and short delimit each other. +High and low rest on each other. +Sound and voice harmonize each other. +Front and back follow each other. + +Therefore the sage abides in the condition of wu-wei (unattached action). +And carries out the wordless teaching. +Here, the myriad things are made, yet not separated. + +Therefore the sage produces without possessing, +Acts without expectations +And accomplishes without abiding in her accomplishments. + +It is precisely because she does not abide in them +That they never leave her. + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +If you do not adulate the worthy, you will make others non-contentious. +If you do not value rare treasures, you will stop others from stealing. +If people do not see desirables, they will not be agitated. + +Therefore, when the sage governs, +He clears people's minds, +Fills their bellies, +Weakens their ambition and +Strengthens their bones. + +If the people are kept without cleverness and desire +It will make the intellectuals not dare to meddle. + +Acting without contrivance, there is no lack of manageability. + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The Way is so vast that when you use it, something is always left. +How deep it is! +It seems to be the ancestor of the myriad things. +It blunts sharpness +Untangles knots +Softens the glare +Unifies with the mundane. +It is so full! +It seems to have remainder. + +It is the child of I-don't-know-who. +And prior to the primeval Lord-on-high. + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Heaven and Earth are not humane, +And regard the myriad things as straw dogs. +The sage is not humane, +And regards all the people as straw dogs. +The space between Heaven and Earth is just like a bellows: +Empty it, it is not exhausted. +Squeeze it and more comes out. + +Excessive verbiage is usually a dead end +Is not as good as holding to the center. + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The valley spirit never dies. +It is called “the mysterious female.” +The opening of the mysterious female +Is called “the root of Heaven and Earth.” +Continuous, seeming to remain. + +Use it without exertion. + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Heaven and Earth last forever. +The reason that Heaven and Earth are able to last forever +Is because they do not give birth to themselves. +Therefore, they are always alive. +Hence, the sage puts herself last and is first. +She is outside herself and therefore her self lasts. + +Is it not through her selflessness +That she is able to perfect herself? + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The highest goodness is like water. +Water easily benefits all things without struggle. +Yet it abides in places that men hate. +Therefore it is like the Way. + +For dwelling, the Earth is good. +For the mind, depth is good. +The goodness of giving is in the timing. +The goodness of speech is in honesty. +In government, self-mastery is good. +In handling affairs, ability is good. + +If you do not wrangle, you will not be blamed. + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +To hold until full is not as good as stopping. +An oversharpened sword cannot last long. +A room filled with gold and jewels cannot be protected. +Boasting of wealth and virtue brings your demise. +After finishing the work, withdraw. + +This is the Way of Heaven. + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Pacifying the agitated material soul and holding to oneness: +Are you able to avoid separation? +Focusing your energy on the release of tension: +Can you be like an infant? +In purifying your insight: +Can you un-obstruct it? +Loving the people and ruling the state: +Can you avoid over-manipulation? +In opening and closing the gate of Heaven: +Can you be the female? +In illuminating the whole universe: +Can you be free of rationality? + +Give birth to it and nourish it. +Produce it but don't possess it. +Act without expectation. +Excel, but don't take charge. + +This is called Mysterious Virtue. + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Thirty spokes join together in the hub. +It is because of what is not there that the cart is useful. +Clay is formed into a vessel. +It is because of its emptiness that the vessel is useful. +Cut doors and windows to make a room. +It is because of its emptiness that the room is useful. +Therefore, what is present is used for profit. + +But it is in absence that there is usefulness. + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The five colors blind our eyes. +The five tones deafen our ears. +The five flavors confuse our taste. +Racing and hunting madden our minds. +Possessing rare treasures brings about harmful behavior. +Therefore the sage acts from his gut, and not from his eyes. + +He lets go of that and chooses this. + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% + +Accept humiliation as a surprise. +Value great misfortune as your own self. + +What do I mean by “Accept humiliation as a surprise”? +When you are humble +Attainment is a surprise +And so is loss. +That's why I say, “Accept humiliation as a surprise.” + +What do I mean by “Value great misfortune as your own self”? + +If I have no self, how could I experience misfortune? + +Therefore, if you dedicate your life for the benefit of the world, +You can rely on the world. +If you love dedicating yourself in this way, +You can be entrusted with the world. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Look for it, it cannot be seen. +It is called the distant. +Listen for it, it cannot be heard. +It is called the rare. +Reach for it, it cannot be gotten. +It is called the subtle. +These three ultimately cannot be fathomed. +Therefore they join to become one. + +Its top is not bright; +Its bottom is not dark; +Existing continuously, it cannot be named and it returns to no-thingness. + +Thus, it is called the formless form, +The image of no-thing. +This is called the most obscure. + +Go to meet it, you cannot see its face. +Follow it, you cannot see its back. + +By holding to the ancient Way +You can manage present existence +And know the primordial beginning. + +This is called the very beginning thread of the Way. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The ancient masters of the Way +Had subtle marvelous mystic penetration +A depth that cannot be known. +It is exactly because that they are unknowable +That we are forced to pay attention to their appearance. +Hesitant, like one crossing an ice-covered river. +Ready, like one afraid of his neighbors on all sides. +Dignified, like a guest. +Loose, like ice about to melt. +Straightforward, like an uncarved block of wood. +Open, like a valley. +Obscure, like muddy water. + +Who can be muddled, and use clarity to gradually become lucid? +Who can be calm, and use constant application for eventual success? + +The one who holds to this path does not crave fulfillment. +Precisely because he does not crave fulfillment +He can be shattered +And do without quick restitution. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Effect vacuity to the extreme. +Keep stillness whole. +Myriad things act in concert. +I therefore watch their return. +All things flourish and each returns to its root. + +Returning to the root is called quietude. +Quietude is called returning to life. +Return to life is called constant. +Knowing this constant is called illumination. +Acting arbitrarily without knowing the constant is harmful. +Knowing the constant is receptivity, which is impartial. + +Impartiality is kingship. +Kingship is Heaven. +Heaven is the Way +the Way is eternal. + +Though you lose the body, you do not die. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +From great antiquity forth they have known and possessed it. +Those of the next level loved and praised it. +The next were in awe of it. +And the next despised it. + +If you lack sincerity no one will believe you. + +How careful she is with her precious words! +When her work is complete and her job is finished, +Everybody says: “We did it!” + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +When the great Way perishes +There is humaneness and justice. +When intelligence is manifest +There is great deception. +When the six relationships are not in harmony +There is filial piety and compassion. +When the country is in chaos +Loyal ministers appear. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Get rid of “holiness”and abandon “wisdom”and the people will benefit a +hundredfold. + +Get rid of “humaneness”and abandon “rightness”and the people will return to +filial piety and compassion. + +Get rid of cleverness and abandon profit, and thieves and gangsters will not +exist. + +Since the above three are merely words, they are not sufficient. +Therefore there must be something to include them all. + +See the origin and keep the non-differentiated state. +Lessen selfishness and decrease desire. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% + +Get rid of “learning” and there will be no anxiety. +How much difference is there between “yes”and “no”? +How far removed from each other are “good” and “evil”? +Yet what the people are in awe of cannot be disregarded. + +I am scattered, never having been in a comfortable center. +All the people enjoy themselves, as if they are at the festival of the great +sacrifice, +Or climbing the Spring Platform. +I alone remain, not yet having shown myself. +Like an infant who has not yet laughed. +Weary, like one despairing of no home to return to. + +All the people enjoy extra +While I have left everything behind. +I am ignorant of the minds of others. +So dull! +While average people are clear and bright, I alone am dull and dim. +Average people know everything. +To me alone all seems covered. +So flat! +Like the ocean. +Blowing around! +It seems there is no place to rest. +Everybody has a goal in mind. +I alone am as ignorant as a bumpkin. +I alone differ from people. + +I enjoy being nourished by the mother. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The form of great virtue is something that only the Way can follow. +The Way as a “thing” is only vague and obscure. +How obscure! How vague! In it there is form. +How vague! How obscure! In it are things. +How deep! How dark! In it there is an essence. + +The essence is so real—therein is belief. + +From the present to antiquity, its name has never left it, so we can examine +all origins. +How do I know the form of all origins? + +By this. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The imperfect is completed. +The crooked is straightened. +The empty is filled. +The old is renewed. +With few there is attainment. +With much there is confusion. +Therefore the sage grasps the one and becomes the model for all. + +She does not show herself, and therefore is apparent. +She does not affirm herself, and therefore is acknowledged. +She does not boast and therefore has merit. +She does not strive and is therefore successful. +It is exactly because she does not contend, that nobody can contend with her. + +How could the ancient saying, “The imperfect is completed” be regarded as +empty talk? + +Believe in the complete and return to it. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +To speak little is natural. +Therefore a gale does not blow a whole morning +Nor does a downpour last a whole day. +Who does these things? Heaven and Earth. +If even Heaven and Earth cannot force perfect continuity +How can people expect to? + +Therefore there is such a thing as aligning one's actions with the Way. +If you accord with the Way you become one with it. +If you accord with virtue you become one with it. +If you accord with loss you become one with it. + +The Way accepts this accordance gladly. +Virtue accepts this accordance gladly. +Loss also accepts accordance gladly. + +If you are untrustworthy, people will not trust you. +Believe in the complete and return to it. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Standing on tiptoe, you are unsteady. +Straddle-legged, you cannot go. +If you show yourself, you will not be seen. +If you affirm yourself, you will not shine. +If you boast, you will have no merit. +If you promote yourself, you will have no success. + +Those who abide in the Way call these + +Leftover food and wasted action +And all things dislike them. + +Therefore the person of the Way does not act like this. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +There is something that is perfect in its disorder +Which is born before Heaven and Earth. + +So silent and desolate! It establishes itself without renewal. +Functions universally without lapse. +We can regard it as the Mother of Everything. + +I don't know its name. + +Hence, when forced to name it, I call it “Way.” +When forced to categorize it, I call it “great.” + +Greatness entails transcendence. +Transcendence entails going-far. +Going-far entails return. + +Hence, the Way is great, Heaven is great, the Earth is great +And the human is also great. + +Within our realm there are four greatnesses and the human being is one of +them. + +Human beings follow the Earth. + +Earth follows Heaven +Heaven follows the Way +The Way follows things as they are. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Heaviness is the root of lightness. +Composure is the ruler of instability. +Therefore the sage travels all day +Without putting down his heavy load. +Though there may be spectacles to see +He easily passes them by. + +This being so +How could the ruler of a large state +Be so concerned with himself as to ignore the people? + +If you take them lightly you will lose your roots. +If you are unstable, you will lose your rulership. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +A good traveler leaves no tracks. +Good speech lacks faultfinding. +A good counter needs no calculator. +A well-shut door will stay closed without a latch. +Skillful fastening will stay tied without knots. + +It is in this manner that the sage is always skillful in elevating people. +Therefore she does not discard anybody. + +She is always skillful in helping things +Therefore she does not discard anything. +This is called “the actualization of her luminosity.” + +Hence, the good are the teachers of the not-so-good. +And the not-so-good are the charges of the good. + +Not valuing your teacher or not loving your students: +Even if you are smart, you are gravely in error. + +This is called Essential Subtlety. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Know the Masculine, cleave to the Feminine +Be a valley for everyone. +Being a valley for everyone +You are always in virtue without lapse +And you return to infancy. + +Know the White, but cleave to the Black. 1 +Be a model for everyone. +Being a model for everyone +You are always in virtue and free from error +You return to limitlessness. +Know Glory but cleave to Humiliation +Be the valley for everyone. +When your constancy in virtue is complete +You return to the state of the “uncarved block.” + +The block is cut into implements. +If the sage uses it, he ends up being an official. + +Therefore the great tailor does not cut. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +If you want to grab the world and run it +I can see that you will not succeed. +The world is a spiritual vessel, which can't be controlled. + +Manipulators mess things up. +Grabbers lose it. Therefore: + +Sometimes you lead +Sometimes you follow +Sometimes you are stifled +Sometimes you breathe easy +Sometimes you are strong +Sometimes you are weak +Sometimes you destroy +And sometimes you are destroyed. + +Hence, the sage shuns excess +Shuns grandiosity +Shuns arrogance. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +If you used the Way as a principle for ruling +You would not dominate the people by military force. + +What goes around comes around. + +Where the general has camped +Thorns and brambles grow. +In the wake of a great army +Come years of famine. +If you know what you are doing +You will do what is necessary and stop there, not daring to use force. + +Accomplish but don't boast +Accomplish without show +Accomplish without arrogance +Accomplish without grabbing +Accomplish without forcing. + +When things flourish they decline. + +This is called non-Way +The non-Way is short-lived. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Sharp weapons are inauspicious instruments. +Everyone hates them. +Therefore the man of the Way is not comfortable with them. + +In the domestic affairs of the gentleman +The left is the position of honor. +In military affairs the right is the position of honor. +Since weapons are inauspicious instruments, they are not the instruments of +the gentleman +So he uses them without enjoyment +And values plainness. + +Victory is never sweet. + +Those for whom victory is sweet +Are those who enjoy killing. +If you enjoy killing, you cannot gain the trust of the people. + +On auspicious occasions the place of honor is on the left. +On inauspicious occasions the place of honor is on the right. +The lieutenant commander stands on the left. +The commander-in-chief stands on the right. +And they speak, using the funerary rites to bury them. + +The common people, from whom all the dead have come +Weep in lamentation. +The victors bury them with funerary rites. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The Way is always nameless. +And even though a sapling might be small +No one can make it be his subject. +If rulers could embody this principle +The myriad things would follow on their own. +Heaven and Earth would be in perfect accord +And rain sweet dew. +Without being ordered, the people naturally govern themselves. + +And so you have the beginning of division into names. +Once there is a name sort something, +Then you should stop. +Knowing where to stop, you can avoid trouble. + +The Way's existence in the world + +Is like valley streams running into the rivers and seas. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +If you understand others you are smart. +If you understand yourself you are illuminated. +If you overcome others you are powerful. +If you overcome yourself you have strength. +If you know how to be satisfied you are rich. +If you can act with vigor, you have a will. +If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting. + +If you die without loss, you are eternal. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The great Way flows over, spreading in every direction. +The myriad things are produced relying on it, but it does not distinguish +them. +It brings them to completion without claiming possession. +It clothes and feeds all things without lording over them. + +Always desireless, it can be called “the small.” +The myriad things rely on it and it doesn't true to rule them +Thus it can be called “great.” +Till the end, it does not regard itself as Great. + +Therefore it able to be great. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Grasping to the Great Form +All in the world go proceed forth. +Proceeding forth unharmed, they rest in calm peace. + +It is for food and music that the passing traveler stops. + +When the Way emerges from its opening +It is insipid, having no taste. +Look at it, you cannot see it. +Listen, you cannot hear it. +Use it + +You cannot exhaust it. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +That which will be shrunk +Must first be stretched. +That which will be weakened +Must first be strengthened. +That which will be torn down +Must first be raised up. +That which will be taken +Must first be given. + +This is called “subtle awareness.” + +The soft and weak overcomes the hard and strong. + +A fish should not leave the depths of the waters. + +The country's potent weapons +Should not be shown to its people. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The Way is always “not-doing” +Yet there is nothing it doesn't do. +If the rulers are were able to embody it +Everyone will naturally be changed. + +Being changed, they desire to do things. + +So I must restrain them, using the nameless “uncarved block.” + +Using the nameless uncarved block +They become desireless. +Desireless, they are tranquil and +All-under-Heaven is naturally settled. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Superior virtue is not virtuous +Therefore it has virtue. +Inferior virtue never fails to be virtuous +Therefore it has no virtue. + +Superior virtue does not “act” +And has no intentions. +Inferior virtue “acts” +And always has intentions. + +Superior humaneness “acts” +But has no intentions. +Superior justice “acts” +But but has intentions. +Superior propriety “acts” and if you don't respond + +They will roll up their sleeves and threaten you. + +Thus, when the Way is lost there is virtue +When virtue is lost there is humaneness +When humaneness is lost there is justice +And when justice is lost there is propriety. + +Now “propriety” is the external appearance of loyalty and sincerity +And the beginning of disorder. + +Occult abilities are just flowers of the Way +And the beginning of foolishness. + +Therefore the Great Person dwells in the substantial +And not in the superficial. +Rests in the fruit and not in the flower. + +So let go of that and grasp this. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +These in the past have attained wholeness: + +Heaven attains wholeness with its clarity; +The Earth attains wholeness with its firmness; +The Spirit attains wholeness with its transcendence; +The Valley attain wholeness when filled; +The Myriad Things attain wholeness in life; +The Ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people. + +In effecting this: +If Heaven lacked clarity it would be divided; +If the Earth lacked firmness it would fly away; +If the spirit lacked transcendence it would be exhausted; +If the valley lacked fullness it would be depleted; +If the myriad things lacked life they would vanish. +If the ruler lacks nobility and loftiness he will be tripped up. + +Hence +Nobility has lowliness as its root +The High has the Low as its base. +Thus the kings call themselves “the orphan, the lowly, the unworthy.” + +Is this not taking lowliness as the fundamental? Isn't it? + +In this way you can bring about great effect without burden. +Not desiring the rarity of gems +Or the manyness of grains of sand. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Return is the motion of the Way. +Softening is its function. +All things in the cosmos arise from being. +Being arises from non-being. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +When superior students hear of the Way +They strive to practice it. +When middling students hear of the Way +They sometimes keep it and sometimes lose it. +When inferior students hear of the Way +They have a big laugh. + +But “not laughing” in itself is not sufficient to be called the Way, and +therefore it is said: + +The sparkling Way seems dark +Advancing in the Way seems like regression. +Settling into the Way seems rough. +True virtue is like a valley. +The immaculate seems humble. +Extensive virtue seems insufficient. +Established virtue seems deceptive. +The face of reality seems to change. +The great square has no corners. +Great ability takes a long time to perfect. +Great sound is hard to hear. +The great form has no shape. + +The Way is hidden and nameless. + +This is exactly why the Way is good at developing and perfecting. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The Way produces one, one produces two. +The two produce the three and the three produce all things. +All things submit to yin and embrace yang. +They soften their energy to achieve harmony. + +People hate to think of themselves as “orphan,”“lowly,” and “unworthy” +Yet the kings call themselves by these names. + +Some lose and yet gain, +Others gain and yet lose. +That which is taught by the people +I also teach: +“The forceful do not choose their place of death.” +I regard this as the father of all teachings. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The softest thing in the world +Will overcome the hardest. +Non-being can enter where there is no space. +Therefore I know the benefit of unattached action. +The wordless teaching and unattached action + +Are rarely seen. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Which is dearer, fame or your life? +Which is greater, your life or possessions? +Which is more painful, gain or loss? +Therefore we always pay a great price for excessive love +And suffer deep loss for great accumulation. +Knowing what is enough, you will not be humiliated. +Knowing where to stop, you will not be imperiled + +And can be long-lasting. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Great perfection seems flawed, yet functions without a hitch. +Great fullness seems empty, yet functions without exhaustion. +Great straightness seems crooked, +Great skill seems clumsy, +Great eloquence seems stammering. + +Excitement overcomes cold, stillness overcomes heat. +Clarity and stillness set everything right. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +When the Way prevails in the land +Fine horses leisurely graze and fertilize the ground. +When the Way is lacking in the land +War horses are bred outside the city. +There is no greater disaster as bad as not knowing what is enough. +No greater than not wanting more. + +Therefore the sufficiency that comes from knowing what is enough is an eternal +sufficiency. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Without going out the door, knowing everything, +Without peeking out the window shades, seeing the Way of Heaven. + +The further you go, the less you know. + +Hence the sage +Understands without having to go through the whole process. +Discerns without looking. +Is perfected without striving. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +In studying, each day something is gained. +In following the Way, each day something is lost. +Lost and again lost. +Until there is nothing left to do. +Not-doing, nothing is left undone. +You can possess the world by never manipulating it. +No matter how much you manipulate +You can never possess the world. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The sage has no fixed mind, +She takes the mind of the people as her mind. + +I treat the good as good, I also treat the evil as good. +This is true goodness. +I trust the trustworthy, I also trust the untrustworthy. +This is real trust. + +When the sage lives with people, she harmonizes with them +And conceals her mind for them. +The sages treat them as their little children. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Coming into life and entering death, +The followers of life are three in ten. +The followers of death are three in ten. +Those whose life activity is their death ground are three in ten. +Why is this? +Because they live life grasping for its rich taste. + +Now I have heard that those who are expert in handling life +Can travel the land without meeting tigers and rhinos, +Can enter battle without being wounded. +The rhino has no place to plant its horn, +The tiger has no place to place its claws, +Weapons find no place to receive their sharp edges. +Why? + +Because he has no death-ground. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Way gives birth to it, +Virtue rears it, +Materiality shapes it, +Activity perfects it. +Therefore, there are none of the myriad things who do not venerate the Way or +esteem its virtue. +This veneration of the Way and esteeming of its virtue is something they do +naturally, without being forced. +Therefore, the Way gives birth. +Its virtue rears, develops, raises, adjusts and disciplines, +Nourishes, covers and protects, +Produces but does not possess, +Acts without expectation, +Leads without forcing. + +This is called “Mysterious Virtue.” + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +All things have a beginning, which we can regard as their Mother. +Knowing the mother, we can know its children. +Knowing the children, yet still cleaving to the mother +You can die without pain. + +Stop up the holes +Shut the doors, +You can finish your life without anxiety. + +Open the doors, +Increase your involvements, +In the end you can't be helped. + +Seeing the subtle is called illumination. +Keeping flexible is called strength. +Use the illumination, but return to the light. +Don't bring harm to yourself. + +This is called “practicing the eternal.” + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +If I had just a little bit of wisdom +I should walk the Great Path and fear only straying from it. +Though the Way is quite broad +People love shortcuts. + +The court is immaculate, +While the fields are overgrown with weeds, +And the granaries are empty. +They wear silk finery, +Carry sharp swords, +Sate themselves on food and drink +Having wealth in excess. +They are called thieving braggarts. + +This is definitely not the Way. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The well-established cannot be uprooted. +The well-grasped does not slip away. +Generation after generation carries out the ancestor worship without break. + +Cultivate it in yourself and virtue will be real. +Cultivate it in the family and virtue will overflow. +Cultivate it in the town and virtue will be great. +Cultivate it in the country and virtue will abundant. +Cultivate it in the world and virtue will be everywhere. + +Therefore, take yourself and observe yourself. +Take the family and observe the family. +Take the town and observe the town. +Take the country and observe the country. +Take the world and observe the world. + +How do I know the world as it is? + +By this. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +One who remains rich in virtuous power +Is like a newborn baby. +Bees, scorpions and venomous snakes do not bite it, +The wild beasts do not attack it, +Birds of prey do not sink their claws into it. +Though its bones are weak +And muscles soft, +Its grip is strong. +Without knowing of the blending of male and female +S/he is a perfect production, +The ultimate in vitality. +S/he cries all day without getting hoarse. +S/he is the ultimate in harmony. + +Understanding harmony is called the Constant. +Knowing the Constant is called illumination. +Nourishing life is called blessing. +Having control of your breath is called strength. +After things blossom they decay, and +This is called the non-Way. +The non-Way expires quickly. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +One who knows does not speak. +One who speaks does not know. +Close your holes, shut your doors, +Soften your sharpness, loosen your knots. +Soften your glare and merge with the everyday. + +This is called mysteriously attaining oneness. + +Though you cannot possess it, you are intimate with it +And at the same time, distant. +Though you cannot possess it, you are benefitted by it, +And harmed by it. +You cannot possess it, but are esteemed through it +And humbled by it. + +Therefore the world values you. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Use fairness in governing the state. +Use surprise tactics in war. +Be unconcerned and you will have the world. +How do I know it is like this? +Because: +The more regulations there are, +The poorer people become. +The more people own lethal weapons, +The more darkened are the country and clans. +The more clever the people are, +The more extraordinary actions they take. +The more picky the laws are, +The more thieves and gangsters there are. + +Therefore the sages say: + + I do not force my way and the people transform themselves. + I enjoy my serenity and the people correct themselves. + I do not interfere and the people enrich themselves. + I have no desires + + And the people find their original mind. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +When the government is laid back +The people are relaxed. +When the government is nitpicking +The people have anxiety. +Misfortune depends upon fortune. +Fortune conceals misfortune. +What has a definite delimitation? +Or abnormality? +The normal reverts to strangeness. +Goodness reverts to perversion. + +People certainly have been confused for a long time. + +Therefore the sage squares things without cutting. +Edges without separating. +Straightens without lining up. + +Shines but does not glare. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +In governing the country and serving Heaven +There is nothing like frugality. +Only by being frugal can you recover quickly. +When you recover quickly you accumulate virtue. +Having accumulated virtue, +There is nothing you can't overcome. +When there is nothing you can't overcome +Who knows the limits of your capabilities? +These limits being unfathomable +You can possess the country. + +The Mother who possesses the country can be long-living. +This is called “planting the roots deeply and firmly.” + +The way to long life and eternal vision. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. +When you govern people with the Way +Unhappy ghosts will have no power. +Not that they don't have power, +But their power will not harm people. + +Not only does their power not harm people: +The sage also doesn't harm people, +Since the two do not harm each other. + +Their virtue converges. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The great state should be like a river basin. +The mixing place of the world, +The feminine of the world. +The feminine always overcomes the masculine by softness +Because softness is lesser. +Therefore if a large state serves a small state +It will gain the small state. +If a small state serves a large state +It will gain the large state. + +Therefore some serve in order to gain +And some gain despite their servitude. + +The large state wants nothing more +Than to unite and feed its people. +The small state wants nothing more +Than to enter into the service of the right person. +Thus both get what they want. + +Greatness lies in placing oneself below. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The Way is hidden deeply in all things. +It is the treasure of the good +And the refuge of the not-so-good. +With skillful words you can be successful. +With honorable actions you can be included. + +People may not be so good, but how can you deny them? + +Therefore, even though there are great jewels brought in by teams of horses at +the coronation of the emperor and the installation of the three princes, +This is not as good as staying where you are +And advancing in this Way. + +Why did the ancients so value the Way? + +You can't say that it was for seeking gain +Or to have punishments to deter crime. + +Therefore it is the most prized in the world. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Do without “doing.” +Get involved without manipulating. +Taste without tasting. +Make the great small, +The many, few. +Respond to anger with virtue. +Deal with difficulties while they are still easy. +Handle the great while it is still small. + +The difficult problems in life +Always start off being simple. +Great affairs always start off being small. +Therefore the sage never deals with the great +And is able to actualize his greatness. + +Now light words generate little belief, +Much ease turns into much difficulty. +Therefore the sage treats things as though they were difficult, + +And hence, never has difficulty. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +That which is at rest is easy to grasp. +That which has not yet come about is easy to plan for. +That which is fragile is easily broken. +That which is minute is easily scattered. +Handle things before they arise. +Manage affairs before they are in a mess. + +A thick tree grows from a tiny seed. +A tall building arises from a mound of earth. +A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. +Contriving, you are defeated; +Grasping, you lose. + +The sage doesn't contrive, so she isn't beaten. +Not grasping, she doesn't lose. +When people are carrying out their projects +They usually blow it at the end. + +If you are as careful at the end +As you were at the beginning, +You won't be disappointed. + +Therefore the sage desires non-desire, +Does not value rare goods, +Studies the unlearnable +So that she can correct the mistakes of average people +And aid all things in manifesting their true nature + +Without presuming to take the initiative. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The ancients who were skillful at the Way +Did not illuminate the people +But rather kept them simple. +When the people are difficult to rule +It is because of their cleverness. +Therefore +If you use cleverness to rule the state +You are a robber of the state. +If you don't use cleverness to rule the state +You are a blessing to the state. + +If you understand these two points, you know the proper norm for governing. +To be continuously understanding the proper norm is called Mysterious Virtue. +How deep and far-reaching Mysterious Virtue is! +It makes all return + +Until they reach the Great Norm. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The reason the river and sea can be regarded as +The rulers of all the valley streams +Is because of their being below them. +Therefore they can be their rulers. +So if you want to be over people +You must speak humbly to them. +If you want to lead them +You must place yourself behind them. + +Thus the sage is positioned above +And the people do not feel oppressed. +He is in front and they feel nothing wrong. +Therefore they like to push him front and never resent him. + +Since he does not contend + +No one can contend with him. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The reason everybody calls my Way great +Is because there is nothing quite like it. +It is exactly because it isgreat +That there is nothing quite like it. +If there were something that were consistently like it + +How could it be small? + +I have three treasures that I hold and cherish. +The first is compassion, +The second is frugality, +The third is not daring to put myself ahead of everybody. + +Having compassion, I can be brave. +Having frugality, I can be generous. +Not daring to put myself ahead of everybody +I can take the time to perfect my abilities. +Now if I am brave without compassion +Generous without frugality, or +Go to the fore without putting my own concerns last, +I might as well be dead. + +If you wage war with compassion you will win. +If you protect yourself with compassion you will be impervious. +Heaven will take care of you, + +Protecting you with compassion. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The best warrior is never aggressive. +The best fighter is never angry. +The best tactician does not engage the enemy. +The best utilizer of people's talents places himself below them. + +This is called the virtue of non-contention. +It is called the ability to engage people's talents. +It is called the ultimate in merging with Heaven. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Strategists have a saying: + I prefer to be able to move, rather than be in a fixed position + I prefer to retreat a foot rather than advancing an inch. +This is called progress without advancing; +Preparing without showing off; +Smashing where there is no defense; +Taking him without a fight. + +There is no greater danger than under-estimating your opponent. +If I under-estimate my opponent +I will lose that which is most dear. +Therefore +When opponents clash + +The one who is sorry about it will be the winner. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +My words are easy to understand +And easy to practice. +Yet nobody understands them or practices them. +My words have an origin; +My actions have a principle. +It is only because of your not understanding this +That you do not understand me. +Since there are few who understand me +I am valued. +Therefore the sage wears coarse clothes. +Yet hides a jewel in his bosom. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +There is nothing better than to know that you don't know. +Not knowing, yet thinking you know— +This is sickness. +Only when you are sick of being sick +Can you be cured. +The sage's not being sick + +Is because she is sick of sickness. + +Therefore she is not sick. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +When the people do not fear your might +Then your might has truly become great. +Don't interfere with their household affairs. +Don't oppress their livelihood. + +If you don't oppress them they won't feel oppressed. + +Thus the sage understands herself +But does not show herself. +Loves herself +But does not prize herself. +Therefore she lets go of that + +And takes this. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +If you are courageous in daring you will die. +If you are courageous in not-daring you will live. +Among these two, one is beneficial and the other is harmful. + +Who understands the reason why Heaven dislikes what it dislikes? +Even the sage has difficulty in knowing this. + +The Way of Heaven is to win easily without struggle. +To respond well without words, +To naturally come without special invitation, +To plan well without anxiety. + +Heaven's net is vast. +It is loose. + +Yet nothing slips through. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +If the people don't fear death +How will you scare them with death? +If you make the people continuously fear death +By seizing anybody who does something out of the ordinary +And killing them, +Who will dare to move? + +There is always an official executioner to handle this. +If you play the role of the official executioner +It is like cutting wood in the capacity of Master Carpenter. + +There are few who will not cut their hands. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The reason people starve +Is because their rulers tax them excessively. +They are difficult to govern +Because their rulers have their own ends in mind. + +The reason people take death lightly +Is because they want life to be rich. +Therefore they take death lightly. +It is only by not living for your own ends +That you can go beyond valuing life. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +When people are born they are gentle and soft. +At death they are hard and stiff. +When plants are alive they are soft and delicate. +When they die, they wither and dry up. +Therefore the hard and stiff are followers of death. +The gentle and soft are the followers of life. + +Thus, if you are aggressive and stiff, you won't win. +When a tree is hard enough, it is cut. Therefore +The hard and big are lesser, +The gentle and soft are greater. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +The Way of Heaven +Is like stretching a bow. +The top is pulled down, +The bottom is pulled up. +Excess string is removed +Where more is needed, it is added. + +It is the Way of Heaven +To remove where there is excess +And add where there is lack. +The way of people is different: +They take away where there is need +And add where there is surplus. + +Who can take his surplus and give it to the people? +Only one who possesses the Way. + +Therefore the sage acts without expectation. +Does not abide in his accomplishments. +Does not want to show his virtue. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Nothing in the world is softer than water, +Yet nothing is better at overcoming the hard and strong. +This is because nothing can alter it. + +That the soft overcomes the hard +And the gentle overcomes the aggressive +Is something that everybody knows +But none can do themselves. +Therefore the sages say: + The one who accepts the dirt of the state + Becomes its master. + The one who accepts its calamity + Becomes king of the world. + +Truth seems contradictory. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +After settling down for great anger +There are always resentments left over. +How can this be considered as good? +Therefore the sage keeps her part of the deal, +And doesn't badger the other party. + +The virtuous ascertain the content of the contract itself; +Those without virtue are concerned about it's being exacted. + +The Heavenly Way has no favorites: +It always raises up the Good. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +Let there be a small country with few people, +Who, even having much machinery, don't use it. +Who take death seriously and don't wander far away. +Even though they have boats and carriages, they never ride in them. +Having armor and weapons, they never go to war. +Let them return to measurement by tying knots in rope. + +Sweeten their food, give them nice clothes, a peaceful abode and a relaxed +life. +Even though the next country can be seen and its dogs and chickens can be +heard, + +The people will grow old and die without visiting each other's land. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +% +True words are not pretty. +Pretty words are not true. +The good are not argumentative. +The argumentative are not good. +The one who really knows is not broadly learned, +The broadly learned do not really know. +The sage does not hoard, +She gives people her surplus. +Giving her surplus to others she is enriched. + +The way of Heaven is to help and not harm. +The way of the Sage is to act without wrangling. + + – Lao Tzu; trans. A. Charles Muller; “Daode Jing” + +%