Monday, May 28, 2012
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TAO TE CHING of LAO TSU: TAO SIXTEEN
TAO TE CHING of LAO TSU: TAO SIXTEEN: Empty your mind of all thoughts Let your heart be at peace Watch the turmoil of beings, But contemplate their return. Each separate...
EIGHTY-ONE
Truthful words are not beautiful.
Beautiful words are not truthful.
Great men do not argue.
Those who argue are not good.
Those who know are not learned.
The learned do not know.
The wise never tries to store things up.
The more he does for others, the more he has.
The more he gives to others, the greeter his abundance.
The great Tao of heaven is pointed but does no harm.
The great Tao of the wise is work with the least effort.
LAO TSU.
Beautiful words are not truthful.
Great men do not argue.
Those who argue are not good.
Those who know are not learned.
The learned do not know.
The wise never tries to store things up.
The more he does for others, the more he has.
The more he gives to others, the greeter his abundance.
The great Tao of heaven is pointed but does no harm.
The great Tao of the wise is work with the least effort.
LAO TSU.
EIGHTY
A small country has less people.
Though there are machines that can operate ten to a hundred times faster than human,
They are not needed.
The people take the afterlife seriously and do not travel far.
Though they have yachts and carriages, no one uses them.
Though they have armor and weapons, no one displays them.
Men return to the knotting of the rope in place of writing.
Their food is plain and good, their clothes fine but simple,
their homes secure;
They are happy in their ways.
Though they live within sight of their neighbors,
And crowing cocks and barking dogs are heard across the way,
Yet they leave each other in peace while they grow old and passed away.
Though there are machines that can operate ten to a hundred times faster than human,
They are not needed.
The people take the afterlife seriously and do not travel far.
Though they have yachts and carriages, no one uses them.
Though they have armor and weapons, no one displays them.
Men return to the knotting of the rope in place of writing.
Their food is plain and good, their clothes fine but simple,
their homes secure;
They are happy in their ways.
Though they live within sight of their neighbors,
And crowing cocks and barking dogs are heard across the way,
Yet they leave each other in peace while they grow old and passed away.
SEVENTY-NINE
After a resentful dispute, some kind of animosity must remain.
What can one do regarding it?
Therefore the wise keeps his fraction of the bargain
But does not correct his due.
A man of Virtue performs his business,
But a man without any Virtue demands others to execute their duties.
The great Tao of heaven is unprejudiced.
It stays with great men endlessly.
LAO TSU.
What can one do regarding it?
Therefore the wise keeps his fraction of the bargain
But does not correct his due.
A man of Virtue performs his business,
But a man without any Virtue demands others to execute their duties.
The great Tao of heaven is unprejudiced.
It stays with great men endlessly.
LAO TSU.
SEVENTY-EIGHT
Under heaven nothing is more soft and yielding than water.
Yet for attacking the solid and mighty, nothing is greater;
It has no equal.
The feeble can overcome the mighty;
The supple can overcome the hard.
Under heaven everyone knows this,
Yet no one practice it.
Therefore the wise says:
He who takes upon himself the shame of the people
is fit enough to rule them.
He who takes upon himself the country's adversity deserves to be
treated like the king of the universe.
The truth often sounds inexplicable.
LAO TSU.
Yet for attacking the solid and mighty, nothing is greater;
It has no equal.
The feeble can overcome the mighty;
The supple can overcome the hard.
Under heaven everyone knows this,
Yet no one practice it.
Therefore the wise says:
He who takes upon himself the shame of the people
is fit enough to rule them.
He who takes upon himself the country's adversity deserves to be
treated like the king of the universe.
The truth often sounds inexplicable.
LAO TSU.
SEVENTY-SEVEN
The great Tao of Heaven is like the bending of a bow.
The high is lowered, and the low is elevated.
If the rope is too long, it is shortened;
If there is not enough, it is enlarged.
The great Tao of heaven is to obtain from those who are very affluent
and to give to those who are destitute.
Man's way is contrasting.
He takes from those who are destitute in order to give more to the wealthy.
What kind of man who is affluent and gives it to the underprivileged worldwide.
Only the man of the great Tao.
Therefore the wise works without obtaining any recognition.
He achieves success without dwelling on it too much.
He does not try to show off his knowledge.
LAO TSU.
The high is lowered, and the low is elevated.
If the rope is too long, it is shortened;
If there is not enough, it is enlarged.
The great Tao of heaven is to obtain from those who are very affluent
and to give to those who are destitute.
Man's way is contrasting.
He takes from those who are destitute in order to give more to the wealthy.
What kind of man who is affluent and gives it to the underprivileged worldwide.
Only the man of the great Tao.
Therefore the wise works without obtaining any recognition.
He achieves success without dwelling on it too much.
He does not try to show off his knowledge.
LAO TSU.
SEVENTY-SIX
A man is born gentle and weak .
At his demise he is hard and stiff.
Green plants are very tender and filled with sap.
At their end of existence they are withered and dry.
Therefore the stiff and unbending is the disciple of he afterlife.
The gentle and yielding is an adept of eternal life.
Thus an army without any flexibility never wins a war.
A tree that is unbending is easily broken.
The hard and strong will not stand.
But the soft and feeble will overcome.
LAO TSU.
At his demise he is hard and stiff.
Green plants are very tender and filled with sap.
At their end of existence they are withered and dry.
Therefore the stiff and unbending is the disciple of he afterlife.
The gentle and yielding is an adept of eternal life.
Thus an army without any flexibility never wins a war.
A tree that is unbending is easily broken.
The hard and strong will not stand.
But the soft and feeble will overcome.
LAO TSU.
SEVENTY-FIVE
Why are people starving in this world full of Abundance?
Because the bad rulers eat up the money in taxes,
Therefore the people are starving globally.
Why the people are rebellious in this orderly universe?
Because the bad rulers interfere too much in worldly affairs.
Therefore the people are rebellious against worldwide government's official.
Why do people think so little of their reincarnation?
Because the despotic ruler demand too much of life.
Therefore the populace take the afterlife lightly.
Having little to live for, one knows better than to put too much value on life.
LAO TSU.
Because the bad rulers eat up the money in taxes,
Therefore the people are starving globally.
Why the people are rebellious in this orderly universe?
Because the bad rulers interfere too much in worldly affairs.
Therefore the people are rebellious against worldwide government's official.
Why do people think so little of their reincarnation?
Because the despotic ruler demand too much of life.
Therefore the populace take the afterlife lightly.
Having little to live for, one knows better than to put too much value on life.
LAO TSU.
SEVENTY-FOUR
If men are not afraid of death,
It is of no avail to threaten them with it.
If man live in constant phobia of transcending to the next incarnation,
And breaking the law means that a man will be terminated,
Who will dare to break an iota within the law?
There is always an official executioner.
If you try to take his place,
It is like trying to be a great master in carpentry and cutting wood.
If you try to cut wood like a master in carpentry,
You will only continue to hurt your hand in the process.
LAO TSU.
It is of no avail to threaten them with it.
If man live in constant phobia of transcending to the next incarnation,
And breaking the law means that a man will be terminated,
Who will dare to break an iota within the law?
There is always an official executioner.
If you try to take his place,
It is like trying to be a great master in carpentry and cutting wood.
If you try to cut wood like a master in carpentry,
You will only continue to hurt your hand in the process.
LAO TSU.
SEVENTY-THREE
A brave and passionate man will kill or be killed.
A brave and calm man will always preserve life.
Of these two which is good and which is harmful?
Some things are not favored by heaven. Who knows why?
Even the wise is unsure of this.
The great Tao of heaven does not strive, and yet it overcomes.
It does not speak, and yet is answered.
It does not ask, yet is supplied with all its needs.
It seems at ease, and yet it follows a plan of action.
Heaven's net casts wide as the ocean below.
Though its meshes are coarse, nothing slips through.
LAO TSU.
A brave and calm man will always preserve life.
Of these two which is good and which is harmful?
Some things are not favored by heaven. Who knows why?
Even the wise is unsure of this.
The great Tao of heaven does not strive, and yet it overcomes.
It does not speak, and yet is answered.
It does not ask, yet is supplied with all its needs.
It seems at ease, and yet it follows a plan of action.
Heaven's net casts wide as the ocean below.
Though its meshes are coarse, nothing slips through.
LAO TSU.
SEVENTY-TWO
When men lack a sense of awe, there will be disaster.
Do not intrude in their homes.
Do not harass them at work.
If you do not interfere, they will not weary of you.
Therefore the sage knows himself but makes no show,
Has self-respect but is arrogant.
he lets go of that and chooses this.
LAO TSU.
Do not intrude in their homes.
Do not harass them at work.
If you do not interfere, they will not weary of you.
Therefore the sage knows himself but makes no show,
Has self-respect but is arrogant.
he lets go of that and chooses this.
LAO TSU.
SEVENTY-ONE
Knowing ignorance is strength.
Ignoring knowledge is sickness.
If one is sick of sickness, then one is not sick.
The sage is not sick because he is sick of sickness.
Therefore he is not sick.
LAO TSU.
Ignoring knowledge is sickness.
If one is sick of sickness, then one is not sick.
The sage is not sick because he is sick of sickness.
Therefore he is not sick.
LAO TSU.
SEVENTY
My teachings are easy to understand
And easy to put into practice.
Yet your intellect will never grasp them,
And if you try to practice them, you'll fail.
My teachings are older than the world.
How can you grasp their meaning?
If you want to know me,
Look inside your heart.
LAO TSU.
And easy to put into practice.
Yet your intellect will never grasp them,
And if you try to practice them, you'll fail.
My teachings are older than the world.
How can you grasp their meaning?
If you want to know me,
Look inside your heart.
LAO TSU.
SIXTY-NINE
The generals have a saying:
"Rather than make the first move
It is better to wait and see.
Rather than advance an inch
It is better to retreat a yard."
This is called
Going forward without advancing,
Pushing back without using weapons.
There is no greater misfortune
Than underestimating your enemy.
Underestimating your enemy
means thinking that he is evil.
Thus you destroy your three treasures
And become an enemy of yourself.
When two great forces oppose each other,
The victory will go
To the one that knows how to yield.
LAO TSU.
"Rather than make the first move
It is better to wait and see.
Rather than advance an inch
It is better to retreat a yard."
This is called
Going forward without advancing,
Pushing back without using weapons.
There is no greater misfortune
Than underestimating your enemy.
Underestimating your enemy
means thinking that he is evil.
Thus you destroy your three treasures
And become an enemy of yourself.
When two great forces oppose each other,
The victory will go
To the one that knows how to yield.
LAO TSU.
SIXTY-EIGHT
The best athlete
Wants his opponent at his best.
The best general
Enters the mind of his enemy.
The best businessman
Serves the communal good.
The best leader
Follows the will of the people.
All of the embody
The virtue of non-competition.
Not that they don't love to compete,
But they do it in the spirit of play.
In this they are like children
And in harmony with the Tao.
LAO TSU.
Wants his opponent at his best.
The best general
Enters the mind of his enemy.
The best businessman
Serves the communal good.
The best leader
Follows the will of the people.
All of the embody
The virtue of non-competition.
Not that they don't love to compete,
But they do it in the spirit of play.
In this they are like children
And in harmony with the Tao.
LAO TSU.
SIXTY-SEVEN
Some say that my teaching is nonsense.
Others call it lofty but impractical.
But to those who have looked inside themselves,
This nonsense makes perfect sense.
And to those who put it into practice,
This loftiness has roots that go deep.
I have three things to teach:
Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures,
Simple in actions and in thoughts,
You return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
You accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
You reconcile all beings in the world.
LAO TSU.
Others call it lofty but impractical.
But to those who have looked inside themselves,
This nonsense makes perfect sense.
And to those who put it into practice,
This loftiness has roots that go deep.
I have three things to teach:
Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures,
Simple in actions and in thoughts,
You return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
You accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
You reconcile all beings in the world.
LAO TSU.
SIXTY-SIX
All streams flow to the sea
Because it is lower than they are.
Humility gives it its power.
If you want to govern the people,
You must place yourself below them.
If you want to lead the people,
You must learn how to follow them.
The Master is above the people,
And no one feels oppressed.
She goes ahead of the people,
And no one feel feels manipulated.
The whole world is grateful to her.
Because She competes with no one,
No one can compete with her.
LAO TSU.
Because it is lower than they are.
Humility gives it its power.
If you want to govern the people,
You must place yourself below them.
If you want to lead the people,
You must learn how to follow them.
The Master is above the people,
And no one feels oppressed.
She goes ahead of the people,
And no one feel feels manipulated.
The whole world is grateful to her.
Because She competes with no one,
No one can compete with her.
LAO TSU.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
SIXTY-FIVE
The ancient Masters
didn't try to educate the people,
but kindly taught them to not-know.
When they think that they know the answers,
people are difficult to guide.
When they know that they don't know,
people can find their own way.
If you want to learn how to govern,
avoid being clever or rich,
The simplest pattern is the clearest.
Content with an ordinary life,
you can show all people the way
back to their own true nature.
LAO TSU.
didn't try to educate the people,
but kindly taught them to not-know.
When they think that they know the answers,
people are difficult to guide.
When they know that they don't know,
people can find their own way.
If you want to learn how to govern,
avoid being clever or rich,
The simplest pattern is the clearest.
Content with an ordinary life,
you can show all people the way
back to their own true nature.
LAO TSU.
SIXTY-FOUR
What is rooted is easy to nourish.
What is recent is easy to correct,
What is brittle is easy to break.
What is small is easy to scatter.
Prevent trouble before it arises.
Put things in order before they exist.
The giant pine tree
grows from a tiny sprout.
The journey of a thousand miles
starts from beneath your feet.
Rushing into action , you fail.
Trying to grasp things, you lose them.
forcing a project to completion,
You ruin what was almost ripe.
Therefore the Master takes action
By letting things take their course.
He remains as calm
at the end as at the beginning.
He has nothing,
Thus has nothing to lose.
What he desires is non-desire;
What he learns is unlearn.
He simply reminds people
Of who they have always been.
He cares about nothing but the Tao.
LAO TSU.
What is recent is easy to correct,
What is brittle is easy to break.
What is small is easy to scatter.
Prevent trouble before it arises.
Put things in order before they exist.
The giant pine tree
grows from a tiny sprout.
The journey of a thousand miles
starts from beneath your feet.
Rushing into action , you fail.
Trying to grasp things, you lose them.
forcing a project to completion,
You ruin what was almost ripe.
Therefore the Master takes action
By letting things take their course.
He remains as calm
at the end as at the beginning.
He has nothing,
Thus has nothing to lose.
What he desires is non-desire;
What he learns is unlearn.
He simply reminds people
Of who they have always been.
He cares about nothing but the Tao.
LAO TSU.
SIXTY-THREE
Act without doing;
Work without effort.
Think of the small as large
And of the few as many
Confront the difficult
While it is easy;
Accomplish the great task
By a series of small acts
The Master never teaches for the great;
Thus She achieves greatness
When She runs into difficulty,
She stops and gives herself to it.
She doesn't cling to her comfort;
Thus problems are no problem for her.
LAO TSU.
Work without effort.
Think of the small as large
And of the few as many
Confront the difficult
While it is easy;
Accomplish the great task
By a series of small acts
The Master never teaches for the great;
Thus She achieves greatness
When She runs into difficulty,
She stops and gives herself to it.
She doesn't cling to her comfort;
Thus problems are no problem for her.
LAO TSU.
SIXTY-TWO
The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge.
Honors can be brought with fine words, respect can be won with good deeds;
But the Tao is beyond all value, and no one can achieve it.
Thus, when a new leader is chosen, don't offer to help him with your wealth or your expertise.
Offer instead to teach him about the Tao.
Why did the ancient Masters esteem the Tao?
Because, being one with the Tao,
When you seek, you find;
And when you make a mistake, you are forgiven.
That is why everybody loves it.
LAO TSU.
Honors can be brought with fine words, respect can be won with good deeds;
But the Tao is beyond all value, and no one can achieve it.
Thus, when a new leader is chosen, don't offer to help him with your wealth or your expertise.
Offer instead to teach him about the Tao.
Why did the ancient Masters esteem the Tao?
Because, being one with the Tao,
When you seek, you find;
And when you make a mistake, you are forgiven.
That is why everybody loves it.
LAO TSU.
SIXTY-ONE
When a country obtains great power, it becomes like the sea: all streams run downward into it.
The more powerful it grows, the greater the need for humility.
Humility means trusting the Tao,
Thus never needing to be defensive.
A great nation is like a great man: when he makes a mistake, he realizes it. Having realized it,
he admits it. Having admitted it, he corrects it.
He considers those who point out his faults as his most benevolent teachers.
He thinks of his enemy as the shadow that he himself casts.
If a nation is centered in the Tao, if it nourishes its own people and doesn't meddle in the affairs of others,
It will be a light to all nations in the world.
LAO TSU.
The more powerful it grows, the greater the need for humility.
Humility means trusting the Tao,
Thus never needing to be defensive.
A great nation is like a great man: when he makes a mistake, he realizes it. Having realized it,
he admits it. Having admitted it, he corrects it.
He considers those who point out his faults as his most benevolent teachers.
He thinks of his enemy as the shadow that he himself casts.
If a nation is centered in the Tao, if it nourishes its own people and doesn't meddle in the affairs of others,
It will be a light to all nations in the world.
LAO TSU.
SIXTY
GOVERNING A LARGE COUNTRY IS LIKE FRYING A SMALL FISH.
You spoil it with too much poking.
Center your country in the Tao and evil will have no power.
Not that it isn't there, but you'll be able to step out of its way.
Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.
LAO TSU.
You spoil it with too much poking.
Center your country in the Tao and evil will have no power.
Not that it isn't there, but you'll be able to step out of its way.
Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.
LAO TSU.
FIFTY-NINE
For governing a country well there is nothing better than moderation
The mark of a moderate man is freedom from his own ideas.
Tolerant like the sky, all-pervading like sunlight, firm like a mountain,
Supple like a tree in the wind, he has no destination in view
and makes use of anything life happens to bring his way,
Nothing is impossible for him. Because he has let go, he can care for the people's welfare
As a mother cares for her child.
LAO TSU.
The mark of a moderate man is freedom from his own ideas.
Tolerant like the sky, all-pervading like sunlight, firm like a mountain,
Supple like a tree in the wind, he has no destination in view
and makes use of anything life happens to bring his way,
Nothing is impossible for him. Because he has let go, he can care for the people's welfare
As a mother cares for her child.
LAO TSU.
FIFTY-EIGHT
If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest.
If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty.
When the will to power is in charge, the higher the ideals, the lower the results.
Try to make people happy, and you lay the groundwork for misery.
Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice.
Thus the Master is content to serve as an example
And not to impose her will. She pointed, but doesn't pierce.
Straightforward, but supple. Radiant, but easy on the eyes.
LAO TSU.
If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty.
When the will to power is in charge, the higher the ideals, the lower the results.
Try to make people happy, and you lay the groundwork for misery.
Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice.
Thus the Master is content to serve as an example
And not to impose her will. She pointed, but doesn't pierce.
Straightforward, but supple. Radiant, but easy on the eyes.
LAO TSU.
FIFTY-SEVEN
If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Tao.
Stop trying to control.
Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will govern itself.
The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be.
The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be.
The more subsidies you have, the less self-reliant people will be.
Therefore the Master says:
I let go of the law,
and people become honest.
I let go of economics, and people become prosperous.
I let go of religion and people become serene
I let go of all desire for the common good,
and the good becomes common as grass.
LAO TSU.
Stop trying to control.
Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will govern itself.
The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be.
The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be.
The more subsidies you have, the less self-reliant people will be.
Therefore the Master says:
I let go of the law,
and people become honest.
I let go of economics, and people become prosperous.
I let go of religion and people become serene
I let go of all desire for the common good,
and the good becomes common as grass.
LAO TSU.
FIFTY-SIX
THE MYSTERIOUS EXCELLENCE
One who knows doe not talk.
One who talk does not know.
Therefore the sage keeps his mouth shut and his sense-gates closed.
" He will blunt his own sharpness,
His own tangles adjust;
He will dim his own radiance,
And be one with his dust."
This is called profound identification.
Thus he is inaccessible to love and also inaccessible to enmity.
He is inaccessible to profit and inaccessible to loss.
He is also inaccessible to favor and inaccessible to disgrace
Thus he becomes world- honored.
LAO TSU.
One who knows doe not talk.
One who talk does not know.
Therefore the sage keeps his mouth shut and his sense-gates closed.
" He will blunt his own sharpness,
His own tangles adjust;
He will dim his own radiance,
And be one with his dust."
This is called profound identification.
Thus he is inaccessible to love and also inaccessible to enmity.
He is inaccessible to profit and inaccessible to loss.
He is also inaccessible to favor and inaccessible to disgrace
Thus he becomes world- honored.
LAO TSU.
FIFTY-FIVE
THE MYSTERIOUS CHARM
He who possesses Virtue in all its solidity is like unto a little child.
Venemous reptiles do not sting him,
Fierce beasts do not seize him,
Birds of prey do not strike him.
His bones are weak, his sinews tender,
But his grasp is firm.
He does not yet knows the relation between male and female,
But his virility is strong.
Thus his metal grows to perfection.
A whole day might cry and sob without growing hoarse.
This shows the perfection of his harmony.
To know the harmonious is called the eternal.
To know the eternal is called enlightenment.
To increase life is called a blessing,
and heart-directed vitality is called strength,
But things vigorous are about to grow old and I call this the opposite of Tao.
The opposite of the great Tao ceases.
LAO TSU.
He who possesses Virtue in all its solidity is like unto a little child.
Venemous reptiles do not sting him,
Fierce beasts do not seize him,
Birds of prey do not strike him.
His bones are weak, his sinews tender,
But his grasp is firm.
He does not yet knows the relation between male and female,
But his virility is strong.
Thus his metal grows to perfection.
A whole day might cry and sob without growing hoarse.
This shows the perfection of his harmony.
To know the harmonious is called the eternal.
To know the eternal is called enlightenment.
To increase life is called a blessing,
and heart-directed vitality is called strength,
But things vigorous are about to grow old and I call this the opposite of Tao.
The opposite of the great Tao ceases.
LAO TSU.
FIFTY-FOUR
THE CULTIVATION OF THE GREAT TAO,
AND THE OBSERVATION OF ITS EFFECTS.
"What is well planted is not uprooted;
What's well preserved cannot be looted!"
By sons and grandsons the sacrificial celebrations shall not cease.
Who cultivates Tao in his person, his virtue is genuine.
Who cultivates it in his house, his virtue is overflowing.
Who cultivates it in his township, his Virtue is lasting.
Who cultivates it in his country, his Virtue is abundant.
Who cultivates it in the word, his Virtue is universal.
Therefore, By one's person one tests persons.
By one's house one tests houses.
By one's township one tests townships.
By one's country one tests countries.
By one world one tests worlds.
How do I know that this test is universal?
By this same Tao.
LAO TSU.
AND THE OBSERVATION OF ITS EFFECTS.
"What is well planted is not uprooted;
What's well preserved cannot be looted!"
By sons and grandsons the sacrificial celebrations shall not cease.
Who cultivates Tao in his person, his virtue is genuine.
Who cultivates it in his house, his virtue is overflowing.
Who cultivates it in his township, his Virtue is lasting.
Who cultivates it in his country, his Virtue is abundant.
Who cultivates it in the word, his Virtue is universal.
Therefore, By one's person one tests persons.
By one's house one tests houses.
By one's township one tests townships.
By one's country one tests countries.
By one world one tests worlds.
How do I know that this test is universal?
By this same Tao.
LAO TSU.
FIFTY-THREE
INCREASE OF EVIDENCE
IF I HAVE EVER SO LITTLE KNOWLEDGE,
I shall walk in the great Tao.
It is but expansion that I must fear.
The great Tao is very plain,
But people are fond of by-paths.
When the palace is very splendid,
The fields are very weedy and granaries very empty.
To wear ornaments and gray clothes,
To carry sharp swords,
To be excessive in drinking and eating,
To have an abundance of costly articles,
This is the pride of robbers.
Surely this is contrary to great Tao.
LAO TSU.
IF I HAVE EVER SO LITTLE KNOWLEDGE,
I shall walk in the great Tao.
It is but expansion that I must fear.
The great Tao is very plain,
But people are fond of by-paths.
When the palace is very splendid,
The fields are very weedy and granaries very empty.
To wear ornaments and gray clothes,
To carry sharp swords,
To be excessive in drinking and eating,
To have an abundance of costly articles,
This is the pride of robbers.
Surely this is contrary to great Tao.
LAO TSU.
FIFTY-TWO
When the world takes its beginning Reason becomes the world's mother.
As one knows his mother, so she in turn knows her child;
As she quickens her child, so he in turns keeps to his mother,
And to the end of life he is not in danger.
Who closes his mouth, and shuts his sense--gates, in the end of life
He will encounter no trouble;
But who opens his mouth and meddles with affairs, in the end of life
He cannot be saved.
Who beholds his smallness is call enlightened.
Who preserves his tenderness is called strong.
Who uses Reason's light and returns home to its enlightenment does not surrender his person to
perdition.
This is called practicing the eternal.
LAO TSU.
As one knows his mother, so she in turn knows her child;
As she quickens her child, so he in turns keeps to his mother,
And to the end of life he is not in danger.
Who closes his mouth, and shuts his sense--gates, in the end of life
He will encounter no trouble;
But who opens his mouth and meddles with affairs, in the end of life
He cannot be saved.
Who beholds his smallness is call enlightened.
Who preserves his tenderness is called strong.
Who uses Reason's light and returns home to its enlightenment does not surrender his person to
perdition.
This is called practicing the eternal.
LAO TSU.
FIFTY-ONE
All things arise from Tao.
They are nourished by Virtue.
They are formed by matter.
They are shaped by environment.
Thus the ten thousand things all respect Tao and honor Virtue.
Respect Tao and honor of Virtue are not demanded,
But they are in the nature of things.
Therefore all things arise from Tao.
By virtue they are nourished,
Developed, cared for,
Sheltered, comforted,
Grown, and protected.
Creating without claiming,
Doing without taking credit,
Guiding without interfering,
This is Primal Virtue.
LAO TSU.
They are nourished by Virtue.
They are formed by matter.
They are shaped by environment.
Thus the ten thousand things all respect Tao and honor Virtue.
Respect Tao and honor of Virtue are not demanded,
But they are in the nature of things.
Therefore all things arise from Tao.
By virtue they are nourished,
Developed, cared for,
Sheltered, comforted,
Grown, and protected.
Creating without claiming,
Doing without taking credit,
Guiding without interfering,
This is Primal Virtue.
LAO TSU.
FIFTY
BETWEEN BIRTH AND DEATH,
Three in ten are followers of life,
Three in ten are followers of death,
And men just passing from birth to death also number three in ten.
Why is this so?
Because they live their lives on the gross level.
He who knows how to live can walk abroad
Without fear of rhinoceros or tiger.
He will not be wounded in battle.
For in him rhinoceros can find no place to thrust their horn.
Tiger no place to use their claws,
And weapons no place to pierce.
Why is this so?
Because he has no place for death to enter.
LAO TSU.
Three in ten are followers of life,
Three in ten are followers of death,
And men just passing from birth to death also number three in ten.
Why is this so?
Because they live their lives on the gross level.
He who knows how to live can walk abroad
Without fear of rhinoceros or tiger.
He will not be wounded in battle.
For in him rhinoceros can find no place to thrust their horn.
Tiger no place to use their claws,
And weapons no place to pierce.
Why is this so?
Because he has no place for death to enter.
LAO TSU.
FORTY-NINE
The sage has no mind of his own.
He is aware of the needs of others.
I am good to people who are good.
I am also good to people who are not good.
Because Virtue is goodness.
I have faith in people who are faithful.
I also have faith in people who are not faithful.
Because Virtue is faithfulness.
The sage is shy and humble----to the world he seems confusing.
Men look to him and listen.
He behaves like a little child.
LAO TSU.
He is aware of the needs of others.
I am good to people who are good.
I am also good to people who are not good.
Because Virtue is goodness.
I have faith in people who are faithful.
I also have faith in people who are not faithful.
Because Virtue is faithfulness.
The sage is shy and humble----to the world he seems confusing.
Men look to him and listen.
He behaves like a little child.
LAO TSU.
FORTY-EIGHT
In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired.
In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped.
Less and less is done
Until non-action is achieved.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
The world is ruled by letting things take their course.
It cannot be ruled by interfering.
LAO TSU.
In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped.
Less and less is done
Until non-action is achieved.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
The world is ruled by letting things take their course.
It cannot be ruled by interfering.
LAO TSU.
FORTY-SEVEN
Without going outside, you may know the whole world.
Without looking through the window, you may see the ways of heaven.
The farther you go, the less you know.
Thus the sage knows without traveling;
He sees without looking;
He works without doing.
LAO TSU.
Without looking through the window, you may see the ways of heaven.
The farther you go, the less you know.
Thus the sage knows without traveling;
He sees without looking;
He works without doing.
LAO TSU.
FORTY-SIX
When the Tao is present in the universe,
The horses haul manure.
When the Tao is absent from the universe,
War horses are bred outside the city.
There is no greater sin than desire,
No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself.
Therefore he who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.
LAO TSU.
The horses haul manure.
When the Tao is absent from the universe,
War horses are bred outside the city.
There is no greater sin than desire,
No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself.
Therefore he who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.
LAO TSU.
FORTY-FIVE
Great accomplishment seems imperfect,
Yet it does not outlive its usefulness.
Great fullness seems empty,
Yet it cannot be exhausted.
Great straightness seems twisted.
Great intelligence seems stupid.
Great eloquence seems awkward.
Movement overcomes cold.
Stillness overcomes heat.
Stillness and tranquillity set things in order in the universe.
LAO TSU.
Yet it does not outlive its usefulness.
Great fullness seems empty,
Yet it cannot be exhausted.
Great straightness seems twisted.
Great intelligence seems stupid.
Great eloquence seems awkward.
Movement overcomes cold.
Stillness overcomes heat.
Stillness and tranquillity set things in order in the universe.
LAO TSU.
FORTY-FOUR
Fame or self: Which matters more?
Self or wealth: Which is more precious?
Gain or loss: Which is more painful?
He who is attached to things will suffer much.
He who saves will suffer heavy loss.
A contented man is never disappointed.
He who knows when to stop does not find himself in trouble.
He will stay forever safe.
LAO TSU.
Self or wealth: Which is more precious?
Gain or loss: Which is more painful?
He who is attached to things will suffer much.
He who saves will suffer heavy loss.
A contented man is never disappointed.
He who knows when to stop does not find himself in trouble.
He will stay forever safe.
LAO TSU.
Friday, May 25, 2012
FORTY-THREE
The softest thing in the universe
Overcomes the hardest thing in the universe.
That without substance can enter where there is no room.
Hence I know the value of non-action.
Teaching without words and work without doing
Are understood by very few.
LAO TSU.
Overcomes the hardest thing in the universe.
That without substance can enter where there is no room.
Hence I know the value of non-action.
Teaching without words and work without doing
Are understood by very few.
LAO TSU.
FORTY-TWO
The Tao begot one.
One begot two.
Two begot three.
And there begot the ten thousand things.
The ten thousand things carry yin and embrace yang.
They achieve harmony by combining these forces.
Men hate to be " orphaned, " or " widowed," or " worthless, "
But this is how kings and lords describe themselves.
For one gains by losing
And loses by gaining.
What others teach, I also teach; that is:
"A violent man will die a violent death!"
This will be the essence of my teaching.
LAO TSU.
One begot two.
Two begot three.
And there begot the ten thousand things.
The ten thousand things carry yin and embrace yang.
They achieve harmony by combining these forces.
Men hate to be " orphaned, " or " widowed," or " worthless, "
But this is how kings and lords describe themselves.
For one gains by losing
And loses by gaining.
What others teach, I also teach; that is:
"A violent man will die a violent death!"
This will be the essence of my teaching.
LAO TSU.
FORTY-ONE
The wise student hears of the Tao and practices it diligently.
The average student hears of the Tao and gives it thought now and again.
The foolish student hears of the Tao and laughs aloud.
If there were no laughter, the Tao would not be what it is.
Hence it is said:
The bright path seem dim;
Going forward seems like retreat;
The easy way seems hard;
The highest Virtue seems empty;
Great purity seems sullied;
A wealth of Virtue seems inadequate;
The strength of Virtue seems frail;
Real Virtue seems unreal;
The perfect square has no corners;
Great talents ripen late;
The highest notes are hard to hear;
The greatest form has no shape.
The Tao is hidden and without name.
The Tao alone nourishes and brings everything to fulfillment.
LAO TSU.
The average student hears of the Tao and gives it thought now and again.
The foolish student hears of the Tao and laughs aloud.
If there were no laughter, the Tao would not be what it is.
Hence it is said:
The bright path seem dim;
Going forward seems like retreat;
The easy way seems hard;
The highest Virtue seems empty;
Great purity seems sullied;
A wealth of Virtue seems inadequate;
The strength of Virtue seems frail;
Real Virtue seems unreal;
The perfect square has no corners;
Great talents ripen late;
The highest notes are hard to hear;
The greatest form has no shape.
The Tao is hidden and without name.
The Tao alone nourishes and brings everything to fulfillment.
LAO TSU.
FORTY
Returning is the motion of the Tao.
Yielding is the way of the Tao.
The ten thousand things are born of being.
Being is born of not being.
LAO TSU.
Yielding is the way of the Tao.
The ten thousand things are born of being.
Being is born of not being.
LAO TSU.
THIRTY-NINE
These things from ancient times arise from one;
The sky is whole and clear.
The earth is whole and firm.
The Spirit is whole and strong.
The valley is whole and full.
The ten thousand things are whole and alive.
Kings and lords are whole, and the country is upright.
All these are in virtue of wholeness.
The clarity of the sky prevents its falling.
The firmness of the earth prevents its splitting.
The strength of the spirit prevents its being used up.
The fullness of the valley prevents its running dry.
The growth of the ten thousand things prevents their dying out.
The leadership of kings and lords prevents the downfall
of the country.
Therefore the humble is the root of the noble.
The low is the foundation of the high.
Princes and lords consider themselves
"orphaned," " widowed," and " worthless."
Do they not depend on being humble?
Too much success is not an advantage.
Do not tinkle like jade
Or clatter like stone chimes.
LAO TSU.
The sky is whole and clear.
The earth is whole and firm.
The Spirit is whole and strong.
The valley is whole and full.
The ten thousand things are whole and alive.
Kings and lords are whole, and the country is upright.
All these are in virtue of wholeness.
The clarity of the sky prevents its falling.
The firmness of the earth prevents its splitting.
The strength of the spirit prevents its being used up.
The fullness of the valley prevents its running dry.
The growth of the ten thousand things prevents their dying out.
The leadership of kings and lords prevents the downfall
of the country.
Therefore the humble is the root of the noble.
The low is the foundation of the high.
Princes and lords consider themselves
"orphaned," " widowed," and " worthless."
Do they not depend on being humble?
Too much success is not an advantage.
Do not tinkle like jade
Or clatter like stone chimes.
LAO TSU.
THIRTY-EIGHT
A truly good man is not aware of his goodness,
And is therefore good.
A foolish man tries to be good,
And is therefore not good.
A truly good man does nothing,
Yet leaves nothing undone.
A foolish man is always doing,
Yet much remains to be done.
When a truly kind man does something, he leaves nothing undone.
When a just man does something, he leaves a great deal to be done.
When a disciplinarian does something and no one responds,
He rolls up his sleeves in an attempt to enforce order.
Therefore when Tao is lost, there is goodness.
When goodness is lost, there is kindness.
When kindness is lost, there is justice.
When justice is lost, there is ritual.
Now ritual is the husk of faith and loyalty, the beginning of confusion.
Knowledge of the future is only a flowery trapping of Tao.
It is the beginning of folly.
Therefore the truly great man dwells on what is real
and not what is on the surface,
On the fruit and not the flower.
Therefore accept the one and reject the other.
LAO TSU.
And is therefore good.
A foolish man tries to be good,
And is therefore not good.
A truly good man does nothing,
Yet leaves nothing undone.
A foolish man is always doing,
Yet much remains to be done.
When a truly kind man does something, he leaves nothing undone.
When a just man does something, he leaves a great deal to be done.
When a disciplinarian does something and no one responds,
He rolls up his sleeves in an attempt to enforce order.
Therefore when Tao is lost, there is goodness.
When goodness is lost, there is kindness.
When kindness is lost, there is justice.
When justice is lost, there is ritual.
Now ritual is the husk of faith and loyalty, the beginning of confusion.
Knowledge of the future is only a flowery trapping of Tao.
It is the beginning of folly.
Therefore the truly great man dwells on what is real
and not what is on the surface,
On the fruit and not the flower.
Therefore accept the one and reject the other.
LAO TSU.
THIRTY-SEVEN
Tao abides in non-action,
Yet nothing is left undone.
If kings and lords observed this,
The ten thousand things would develop naturally.
If they still desired to act,
They would return to the simplicity of formless substance.
Without form there is no desire.
Without desire there is tranquility.
And in this way all things would be at peace.
LAO TSU.
Yet nothing is left undone.
If kings and lords observed this,
The ten thousand things would develop naturally.
If they still desired to act,
They would return to the simplicity of formless substance.
Without form there is no desire.
Without desire there is tranquility.
And in this way all things would be at peace.
LAO TSU.
THIRTY-SIX
That which shrinks
Must first expand.
That which fails
Must first be strong,
That which is cast down
Must first be raised.
Before receiving
There must be giving.
This is called perception of nature of things.
Soft and weak overcome hard and strong.
Fish cannot leave deep waters,
And a country's weapons should not be displayed.
LAO TSU.
Must first expand.
That which fails
Must first be strong,
That which is cast down
Must first be raised.
Before receiving
There must be giving.
This is called perception of nature of things.
Soft and weak overcome hard and strong.
Fish cannot leave deep waters,
And a country's weapons should not be displayed.
LAO TSU.
THIRTY-FIVE
All men will come to him who keeps to the one,
For there lie rest and happiness and peace.
Passerby may stop for music and good food,
But a description of the Tao
Seems without substance or flavor.
It cannot be seen, it cannot be heard,
And yet it cannot be exhausted.
LAO TSU.
For there lie rest and happiness and peace.
Passerby may stop for music and good food,
But a description of the Tao
Seems without substance or flavor.
It cannot be seen, it cannot be heard,
And yet it cannot be exhausted.
LAO TSU.
THIRTY-FOUR
The great Tao flows everywhere, both to the left and to the right.
The ten thousand things depend upon it; it holds nothing back.
It fulfills its purpose silently and makes no claim.
It nourishes the ten thousand things,
And yet is not their lord.
It has no aim; it is very small.
The ten thousand things return to it,
Yet it is not their lord.
It is very great.
It does not show greatness,
And is therefore truly great.
LAO TSU.
The ten thousand things depend upon it; it holds nothing back.
It fulfills its purpose silently and makes no claim.
It nourishes the ten thousand things,
And yet is not their lord.
It has no aim; it is very small.
The ten thousand things return to it,
Yet it is not their lord.
It is very great.
It does not show greatness,
And is therefore truly great.
LAO TSU.
THIRTY-THREE
Knowing others is wisdom;
Knowing the self is enlightenment.
Mastering others requires force;
Mastering the self needs strength.
He who knows he has enough is rich.
Perseverance is a sign of will power.
He who stays where he is endures.
To die but not to perish is to be eternally present.
LAO TSU.
Knowing the self is enlightenment.
Mastering others requires force;
Mastering the self needs strength.
He who knows he has enough is rich.
Perseverance is a sign of will power.
He who stays where he is endures.
To die but not to perish is to be eternally present.
LAO TSU.
THIRTY-TWO
The Tao is forever undefined.
Small through it is in the unformed state, it cannot be grasped.
If kings and lords could harness it,
The ten thousand things would naturally obey.
Heaven and earth would come together
And gentle rain fall.
Men would need no more instruction
and all things would take their course.
Once the whole is divided, the parts need names.
There are already enough names.
One must know when to stop.
Knowing when to stop averts trouble.
Tao in the world is like a river flowing home to the sea.
LAO TSU.
Small through it is in the unformed state, it cannot be grasped.
If kings and lords could harness it,
The ten thousand things would naturally obey.
Heaven and earth would come together
And gentle rain fall.
Men would need no more instruction
and all things would take their course.
Once the whole is divided, the parts need names.
There are already enough names.
One must know when to stop.
Knowing when to stop averts trouble.
Tao in the world is like a river flowing home to the sea.
LAO TSU.
THIRTY-ONE
Good weapons are instruments of fear; all creatures hate them.
Therefore followers of Tao never use them.
The wise man prefers the left.
The man of war prefers the right.
Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man's tools,
He uses them only when he has no choice.
Peace and quiet are clear to his heart,
And victory no cause for rejoicing.
If you rejoice in victory, then you delight in killing;
If you delight in killing, you cannot fulfill yourself.
On happy occasions precedence is given to the left,
On sad occasions to the right.
In the army the general stands on the left,
The commander-in-chief on the right.
This means that war is conducted like funeral.
When many people are being killed,
They should be mourned in heartfelt sorrow.
That is why a victory must be observed like a funeral.
LAO TSU.
Therefore followers of Tao never use them.
The wise man prefers the left.
The man of war prefers the right.
Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man's tools,
He uses them only when he has no choice.
Peace and quiet are clear to his heart,
And victory no cause for rejoicing.
If you rejoice in victory, then you delight in killing;
If you delight in killing, you cannot fulfill yourself.
On happy occasions precedence is given to the left,
On sad occasions to the right.
In the army the general stands on the left,
The commander-in-chief on the right.
This means that war is conducted like funeral.
When many people are being killed,
They should be mourned in heartfelt sorrow.
That is why a victory must be observed like a funeral.
LAO TSU.
TAO TE CHING of LAO TSU: THIRTY
TAO TE CHING of LAO TSU: THIRTY: Whenever you advise a ruler in the way of Tao, Counsel him not to use force to conquer the universe. For this would only cause resistanc...
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
TWENTY-NINE
Do you think you can take over the universe and improve it?
I do not believe it can be done.
The universe is sacred.
You cannot improve it.
If you try to change it, you will ruin it.
If you try to hold it, you will lose it.
So sometimes things are ahead and sometimes they are behind;
Sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes easy;
Sometimes there is strength and sometimes weakness;
Sometimes one is up and sometimes down.
Therefore the sage avoids extremes, excesses, and complacency.
LAO TSU.
I do not believe it can be done.
The universe is sacred.
You cannot improve it.
If you try to change it, you will ruin it.
If you try to hold it, you will lose it.
So sometimes things are ahead and sometimes they are behind;
Sometimes breathing is hard, sometimes it comes easy;
Sometimes there is strength and sometimes weakness;
Sometimes one is up and sometimes down.
Therefore the sage avoids extremes, excesses, and complacency.
LAO TSU.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
TWENTY-EIGHT
Know the strenght of man,
But keep a woman' s care!
Be the stream of the universe,
Being the stream of the universe,
Ever true and unswerving,
Becomes as a little child once more.
Know the white,
But keep the Black!
Be an example to the world.
Being an example to the world,
Ever true and unwavering,
Return to the infinite.
Know honor,
Yet keep humility.
Be the valley of the universe!
Being the valley of the universe,
Ever true and resourceful,
Return to the state of the uncarved block.
When the block is carved, it becomes useful.
When the sage uses it, he becomes the ruler.
Thus, "A great tailor cuts little."
LAO TSU.
But keep a woman' s care!
Be the stream of the universe,
Being the stream of the universe,
Ever true and unswerving,
Becomes as a little child once more.
Know the white,
But keep the Black!
Be an example to the world.
Being an example to the world,
Ever true and unwavering,
Return to the infinite.
Know honor,
Yet keep humility.
Be the valley of the universe!
Being the valley of the universe,
Ever true and resourceful,
Return to the state of the uncarved block.
When the block is carved, it becomes useful.
When the sage uses it, he becomes the ruler.
Thus, "A great tailor cuts little."
LAO TSU.
TWENTY-SEVEN
A good walker leaves no tracks;
Agood speaker makes no slips;
A good reckoner needs no rally.
A good door needs no lock,
Yet no one can open it.
Good blinding requires no knots,
Yet no one can loosen it
Therefore the sage takes care of all men
And abandons no one.
He takes care of all things
And abandons nothing,
This is called "following the light."
What is a good man?
A teacher of a bad man.
What is a bad man?
A good man's charge.
If the teacher is not respected,
And the student not cared for,
Confusion will arise, however clever one is.
This is the crux of mystery.
LAO TSU.
Agood speaker makes no slips;
A good reckoner needs no rally.
A good door needs no lock,
Yet no one can open it.
Good blinding requires no knots,
Yet no one can loosen it
Therefore the sage takes care of all men
And abandons no one.
He takes care of all things
And abandons nothing,
This is called "following the light."
What is a good man?
A teacher of a bad man.
What is a bad man?
A good man's charge.
If the teacher is not respected,
And the student not cared for,
Confusion will arise, however clever one is.
This is the crux of mystery.
LAO TSU.
TWENTY-SIX
THE HEAVY IS THE ROOT OF THE LIGHT;
The still is the master of unrest.
Therefore the sage, traveling all day,
Does not lose sight of his baggage.
Though there are beautiful things to be seen,
He remains unattached and calm.
Why should the Lord of ten thousand chariots act lightly in public?
To be light is to lose one's root.
To be restless is to lose one's control.
LAO TSU.
The still is the master of unrest.
Therefore the sage, traveling all day,
Does not lose sight of his baggage.
Though there are beautiful things to be seen,
He remains unattached and calm.
Why should the Lord of ten thousand chariots act lightly in public?
To be light is to lose one's root.
To be restless is to lose one's control.
LAO TSU.
MONKEY PAW LUCKY HANDS: TWENTY-FIVE
MONKEY PAW LUCKY HANDS: TWENTY-FIVE: Something mysteriously formed, Born before heaven and earth. In the silence and the void, Standing alone and unchanging. Ever presen...
TWENTY-FIVE
Something mysteriously formed,
Born before heaven and earth.
In the silence and the void,
Standing alone and unchanging.
Ever present and in motion.
Perhaps it is the mother of ten thousand things.
I do not know its name.
Call it Tao.
For lack of a better world, I call it great.
Being great, it flows.
It flows far away.
Having gone far, it returns.
Therefore, "Tao is great;
Heaven is great;
Earth is great;
The King is also great."
there are the four great powers
of the universe,
And the King is one of them.
Man follows the earth.
Earth follows heaven.
Heaven follows the Tao.
Tao follows what is natural.
LAO TSU.
Born before heaven and earth.
In the silence and the void,
Standing alone and unchanging.
Ever present and in motion.
Perhaps it is the mother of ten thousand things.
I do not know its name.
Call it Tao.
For lack of a better world, I call it great.
Being great, it flows.
It flows far away.
Having gone far, it returns.
Therefore, "Tao is great;
Heaven is great;
Earth is great;
The King is also great."
there are the four great powers
of the universe,
And the King is one of them.
Man follows the earth.
Earth follows heaven.
Heaven follows the Tao.
Tao follows what is natural.
LAO TSU.
Monday, May 14, 2012
TWENTY-FOUR
He who stands on tiptoe is not steady.
He who strides cannot maintain the pace.
He who makes a show is not enlightened.
He who is self-righteous is not respected.
He who boasts achieves nothing.
He who brags will not endure.
According to followers of the Tao,
"These are extra food and unnecessary luggage."
They do not bring happiness.
Therefore followers of the Tao avoid them.
LAO TSU.
He who strides cannot maintain the pace.
He who makes a show is not enlightened.
He who is self-righteous is not respected.
He who boasts achieves nothing.
He who brags will not endure.
According to followers of the Tao,
"These are extra food and unnecessary luggage."
They do not bring happiness.
Therefore followers of the Tao avoid them.
LAO TSU.
TWENTY-THREE
To talk little is natural.
High winds do not last all morning.
Heavy rain does not last all day.
Why is this? Heaven and earth!
If heaven and earth cannot make things eternal,
How is it possible for man?
He who follows the Tao
Is at one with the Tao.
He who is virtuous
Experiences Virtues.
He who loses the way
Feels lost.
When you are at one with the Tao,
The Tao welcomes you.
When you are at one with Virtue,
The Virtue is always there.
When you are at one with loss,
The loss is experienced willingly.
He who does not trust enough
Will not be trusted.
LAO TSU.
High winds do not last all morning.
Heavy rain does not last all day.
Why is this? Heaven and earth!
If heaven and earth cannot make things eternal,
How is it possible for man?
He who follows the Tao
Is at one with the Tao.
He who is virtuous
Experiences Virtues.
He who loses the way
Feels lost.
When you are at one with the Tao,
The Tao welcomes you.
When you are at one with Virtue,
The Virtue is always there.
When you are at one with loss,
The loss is experienced willingly.
He who does not trust enough
Will not be trusted.
LAO TSU.
TWENTY-TWO
Yield and overcome;
Bend and be straight;
Empty and be full;
Wear out and be new;
Have little and gain;
Have much and be confused.
Therefore wise men embrace the one
And set an example to all.
Not putting on a display,
They shine forth.
Not justifying themselves,
They are distinguished.
Not boasting,
They receive recognition.
Not bragging,
They never falter.
They do not quarrel,
So no one quarrels wih them.
Therefore the ancients say, "Yield and overcome."
Is that an empty saying?
Be really whole,
And all things will come to you.
LAO TSU.
Bend and be straight;
Empty and be full;
Wear out and be new;
Have little and gain;
Have much and be confused.
Therefore wise men embrace the one
And set an example to all.
Not putting on a display,
They shine forth.
Not justifying themselves,
They are distinguished.
Not boasting,
They receive recognition.
Not bragging,
They never falter.
They do not quarrel,
So no one quarrels wih them.
Therefore the ancients say, "Yield and overcome."
Is that an empty saying?
Be really whole,
And all things will come to you.
LAO TSU.
TWENTY- ONE
The greatest Virtue is to follow Tao and Tao alone.
The Tao is elusive and intangible.
Oh, it is intangible and elusive, and yet within is image.
Oh, it is elusive and intangible, and yet within is form.
Oh, it is dim and dark, and yet within is essence.
This essence is very real, and therein lies faith.
From the very beginning until now its name has never been forgotten.
Thus I perceive the creation.
How do I know the ways of Creation?
Because of this.
LAO TSU.
The Tao is elusive and intangible.
Oh, it is intangible and elusive, and yet within is image.
Oh, it is elusive and intangible, and yet within is form.
Oh, it is dim and dark, and yet within is essence.
This essence is very real, and therein lies faith.
From the very beginning until now its name has never been forgotten.
Thus I perceive the creation.
How do I know the ways of Creation?
Because of this.
LAO TSU.
TWENTY
Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.
Is there a difference between yes and no?
Is there a difference between good and evil?
Must I fear what others fear? What nonsense!
Other people are contented, enjoying the sacrificial feast of the ox.
In spring some go to the park, and climb the terrace,
But I alone am drifting, not knowing where I am.
Like a newborn babe before it learns to smile,
I am alone, without a place to go.
Others have more than they need, but I alone have nothing.
I am a fool, Oh, yes! I am confused.
Other men are clear and bright,
But I alone am dim and weak.
Other men are sharp and clever,
But I alone am dull and stupid.
Oh, I drift like the waves of the sea,
Without direction, like the restless wind.
Everyone else is busy,
But I alone am aimless and depressed.
I am different.
I am nourished by the great mother.
LAO TSU.
Is there a difference between yes and no?
Is there a difference between good and evil?
Must I fear what others fear? What nonsense!
Other people are contented, enjoying the sacrificial feast of the ox.
In spring some go to the park, and climb the terrace,
But I alone am drifting, not knowing where I am.
Like a newborn babe before it learns to smile,
I am alone, without a place to go.
Others have more than they need, but I alone have nothing.
I am a fool, Oh, yes! I am confused.
Other men are clear and bright,
But I alone am dim and weak.
Other men are sharp and clever,
But I alone am dull and stupid.
Oh, I drift like the waves of the sea,
Without direction, like the restless wind.
Everyone else is busy,
But I alone am aimless and depressed.
I am different.
I am nourished by the great mother.
LAO TSU.
NINETEEN
Give up sainthood, renounce wisdom,
And it wil be a hundred times better for everyone.
Give up kindness, renounce morality,
And men will discover filial piety and love.
Give up ingenuity, renounce profit,
And bandits and thieves will disappear.
These three are outward forms alone; they are not sufficient in themselves.
It is more important
To see the simplicity,
To realize one's true nature,
To cast off selfihness
And temper desire.
LAO TSU.
And it wil be a hundred times better for everyone.
Give up kindness, renounce morality,
And men will discover filial piety and love.
Give up ingenuity, renounce profit,
And bandits and thieves will disappear.
These three are outward forms alone; they are not sufficient in themselves.
It is more important
To see the simplicity,
To realize one's true nature,
To cast off selfihness
And temper desire.
LAO TSU.
EIGHTEEN
When the great Tao is forgotten,
Kindness and morality arise.
When wisdom and intelligence are born,
The great pretence begins,
When there is no peace within the family,
Filial piety and devotion arise.
When the country is confused and in chaos.
Loyal ministers appear.
LAO TSU.
Kindness and morality arise.
When wisdom and intelligence are born,
The great pretence begins,
When there is no peace within the family,
Filial piety and devotion arise.
When the country is confused and in chaos.
Loyal ministers appear.
LAO TSU.
SEVENTEEN
The very highest is barely known by men.
Then comes that which they know and love,
Then that which is feared,
Then that which is despised.
He who does not trust enough will not be trusted.
When actions are performed
Without unnecessary speech,
People say, "We did it!"
Then comes that which they know and love,
Then that which is feared,
Then that which is despised.
He who does not trust enough will not be trusted.
When actions are performed
Without unnecessary speech,
People say, "We did it!"
SIXTEEN
EMPTY YOURSELF OF EVERYTHING.
Let the mind rest at peace.
The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return.
They grow and flourish and then return to the source.
Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature.
The way of nature is unchanging.
Knowing constancy is insight.
Not knowing constancy leads to disaster.
Knowing constancy,the mind is open.
With an open mind, you will be openhearted.
Being openhearted, you will act royally.
Being royal, you will attain the divine.
Being divine, you will be at one with the Tao.
Being at one with the Tao is eternal.
And though the body dies, the Tao will never pass away.
LAO TSU.
Let the mind rest at peace.
The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return.
They grow and flourish and then return to the source.
Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature.
The way of nature is unchanging.
Knowing constancy is insight.
Not knowing constancy leads to disaster.
Knowing constancy,the mind is open.
With an open mind, you will be openhearted.
Being openhearted, you will act royally.
Being royal, you will attain the divine.
Being divine, you will be at one with the Tao.
Being at one with the Tao is eternal.
And though the body dies, the Tao will never pass away.
LAO TSU.
FIFTEEN
The anctent masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive.
The dept of their knowledge is unfathomable.
Because it is unfathomable,
All we can do is describe their appearance.
Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream.
Alert, like men aware of danger.
Courteous, like visiting guests.
Yielding, like ice about to melt.
Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood.
Hollow, like caves.
Opaque, like muddy pools.
Who can wait quietly while the mud settles?
Who can remain still until the movement of action?
Observers of the Tao do not seek fulfillment.
Not seeking fulfillment, they are not swayed by desire for change.
LAO TSU.
The dept of their knowledge is unfathomable.
Because it is unfathomable,
All we can do is describe their appearance.
Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream.
Alert, like men aware of danger.
Courteous, like visiting guests.
Yielding, like ice about to melt.
Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood.
Hollow, like caves.
Opaque, like muddy pools.
Who can wait quietly while the mud settles?
Who can remain still until the movement of action?
Observers of the Tao do not seek fulfillment.
Not seeking fulfillment, they are not swayed by desire for change.
LAO TSU.
FOURTEEN
Look, it cannot be seen --- it is beyond form.
Listen, it cannot be heard --- it is beyond sound.
Grasp, it cannot be held --- it is intangible.
These three are indefinable;
Therefore they are joined in one.
From above it is not bright;
From below it is not dark;
An unbroken thread beyond description.
It returns to nothingness.
The form of the formless,
The image of the imageless,
It is called indefinable and beyond imagination.
Stand before it and there is no beginning.
Follow it and there is no end.
Stay with the ancient Tao,
Move with the present.
Knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of Tao.
LAO TSU.
Listen, it cannot be heard --- it is beyond sound.
Grasp, it cannot be held --- it is intangible.
These three are indefinable;
Therefore they are joined in one.
From above it is not bright;
From below it is not dark;
An unbroken thread beyond description.
It returns to nothingness.
The form of the formless,
The image of the imageless,
It is called indefinable and beyond imagination.
Stand before it and there is no beginning.
Follow it and there is no end.
Stay with the ancient Tao,
Move with the present.
Knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of Tao.
LAO TSU.
THIRTEEN
Accept disgrace willingly.
Accept misfortune as the human condition.
What do you mean by " Accept disgrace willingly" ?
Accept being unimportant.
Do not be concerned with loss or gain.
This is called " accepting disgrace willingly. "
What do you mean by " Accept misfortune as the human condition"?
Misfortune comes from having a body.
Without a body, how could there be misfortune?
Surrender yourself humbly; then you can be trusted to care for all things.
Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things.
LAO TSU.
Accept misfortune as the human condition.
What do you mean by " Accept disgrace willingly" ?
Accept being unimportant.
Do not be concerned with loss or gain.
This is called " accepting disgrace willingly. "
What do you mean by " Accept misfortune as the human condition"?
Misfortune comes from having a body.
Without a body, how could there be misfortune?
Surrender yourself humbly; then you can be trusted to care for all things.
Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things.
LAO TSU.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
TWELVE
The five colors blind the eye.
The five tones deafen the ear.
The five flavors dull the taste.
Racing and hunting madden the mind.
Precious things lead one astray.
Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not by what he sees.
He lets go of that and chooses this.
LAO TSU.
The five tones deafen the ear.
The five flavors dull the taste.
Racing and hunting madden the mind.
Precious things lead one astray.
Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not by what he sees.
He lets go of that and chooses this.
LAO TSU.
ELEVEN
Thirty spokes share the wheel's hub;
It is the center hole that makes it useful.
Shape clay into a vessel;
It is the space within that makes it useful.
Cut doors and windows for a room;
It is the holes which make it useful.
Therefore profit comes from what is there;
Usefulness from what is not there.
LAO TSU.
It is the center hole that makes it useful.
Shape clay into a vessel;
It is the space within that makes it useful.
Cut doors and windows for a room;
It is the holes which make it useful.
Therefore profit comes from what is there;
Usefulness from what is not there.
LAO TSU.
TEN
Carrying body and soul and embracing the one,
Can you avoid separation?
Attending fully and becoming supple,
Can you be as a newborn babe?
Washing and cleansing the primal vision,
Can you be without stain?
Loving all men and ruling the country,
Can you be without clerverness?
Opening and closing the gates of heaven,
Can you play the role of woman.
Understanding and being open to all things,
Are you able to do nothing?
Giving birth and nourishing,
Bearing yet not possessing,
Working yet not taking credit,
Leading yet not dominating,
This is the Primal Virtue.
LAO TSU.
Can you avoid separation?
Attending fully and becoming supple,
Can you be as a newborn babe?
Washing and cleansing the primal vision,
Can you be without stain?
Loving all men and ruling the country,
Can you be without clerverness?
Opening and closing the gates of heaven,
Can you play the role of woman.
Understanding and being open to all things,
Are you able to do nothing?
Giving birth and nourishing,
Bearing yet not possessing,
Working yet not taking credit,
Leading yet not dominating,
This is the Primal Virtue.
LAO TSU.
NINE
Better stop short than fill to the brim.
Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.
Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it.
Claim wealth and titles, and disaster will follow.
Retire when the work is done.
This is the way of heaven.
LAO TSU.
Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.
Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it.
Claim wealth and titles, and disaster will follow.
Retire when the work is done.
This is the way of heaven.
LAO TSU.
EIGHT
The highest good is like water,
Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In business, be competent.
In action, watch the timing.
No fight: No blame.
LAO TSU.
Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In business, be competent.
In action, watch the timing.
No fight: No blame.
LAO TSU.
SEVEN
Heaven and earth last forever.
Why do heaven and earth last forever?
They are unborn,
So ever living.
The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead.
He is detached, thus at one with all.
Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment.
LAO TSU.
Why do heaven and earth last forever?
They are unborn,
So ever living.
The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead.
He is detached, thus at one with all.
Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment.
LAO TSU.
SIX
The valley spirit never dies;
It is the woman, primal mother.
Her gateway is the root of heaven and earth.
It is like a veil barely seen.
Use it; it will never fail.
LAO TSU.
It is the woman, primal mother.
Her gateway is the root of heaven and earth.
It is like a veil barely seen.
Use it; it will never fail.
LAO TSU.
FIVE
Heaven and earth are ruthless;
They see the ten thousand things as dummies.
The wise are ruthless;
They see the people as dummies.
The space between heaven and earth is like a bellows.
The shape changes but not the form;
The more it moves, the more it yields.
More words count less.
Hold fast to the center.
LAO TSU.
They see the ten thousand things as dummies.
The wise are ruthless;
They see the people as dummies.
The space between heaven and earth is like a bellows.
The shape changes but not the form;
The more it moves, the more it yields.
More words count less.
Hold fast to the center.
LAO TSU.
FOUR
The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used, but never filled.
Oh, unfathomable source of ten thousand things!
Blunt the sharpness,
Untangle the Knot,
Soften the glare,
Merge with the dust.
Oh, hidden deep but ever present!
I do not know from whence it comes.
It is the forefather of the emperors.
LAO TSU.
Oh, unfathomable source of ten thousand things!
Blunt the sharpness,
Untangle the Knot,
Soften the glare,
Merge with the dust.
Oh, hidden deep but ever present!
I do not know from whence it comes.
It is the forefather of the emperors.
LAO TSU.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
THREE
Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling.
Not collecting treasures prevents stealing.
Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart.
The wise therefore rule by emtying hearts and stuffing bellies,
by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.
If people lack knowledge and desire,
then intellectuals will not try to interfere.
If nothing is done, then all will be well.
LAO TSU.
Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling.
Not collecting treasures prevents stealing.
Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart.
The wise therefore rule by emtying hearts and stuffing bellies,
by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.
If people lack knowledge and desire,
then intellectuals will not try to interfere.
If nothing is done, then all will be well.
LAO TSU.
TWO
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty there is ugliness.
All can know good only because there is evil.
Therefore having and not having arise together.
Difficult and easy complement each other.
Long and short contrast each other.
High and low rest upon each other.
Voice and sound harmonize each other;
Front and back follow one another.
Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing, teaching no-talking.
The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease,
Creating, yet not possessing,
Working, yet not taking credit.
Work is done, then forgotten.
Therefore it lasts forever.
LAO TSU.
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty there is ugliness.
All can know good only because there is evil.
Therefore having and not having arise together.
Difficult and easy complement each other.
Long and short contrast each other.
High and low rest upon each other.
Voice and sound harmonize each other;
Front and back follow one another.
Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing, teaching no-talking.
The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease,
Creating, yet not possessing,
Working, yet not taking credit.
Work is done, then forgotten.
Therefore it lasts forever.
LAO TSU.
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The TAO
ONE
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The named is the mother of ten thousand things.
Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.
Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
this appears as darkness.
Darkness within darkness.
The gate to all mystery.
ONE
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The named is the mother of ten thousand things.
Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.
Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
this appears as darkness.
Darkness within darkness.
The gate to all mystery.
Friday, May 11, 2012
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