Das

Tao Te King

ChineseEnglishby
ThomasCleary,1991
http://www.wayist.org/ttc%20compared/cleary.htm

von

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Lao Tse
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1
Awaycanbeaguide,butnotafixedpathnamescanbegiven,butnotpermanentlabels.
Nonbeingiscalledthebeginningofheavenandearthbeingiscalledthemotherofallthings.
Alwayspassionless,therebyobservethesubtleeverintent,therebyobservetheapparent.
Thesetwocomefromthesamesourcebutdifferinname
bothareconsideredmysteries.Themysteryofmysteriesisthegatewayofmarvels.
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Wheneveryoneknowsbeautyisbeauty,thisisbad.
Wheneveryoneknowsgoodisgood,thisisnotgood.
Sobeingandnonbeingproduceeachother:difficultyandeasecomplementeachother,longand
shortshapeeachother,
highandlowcontrastwitheachother,voiceandechoesconformtoeachother,beforeandaftergo
alongwitheachother.
Sosagesmanageeffortlessserviceandcarryoutunspokenguidance.
Allbeingswork,withoutexception:iftheylivewithoutpossessiveness,
actwithoutpresumption,anddonotdwellonsuccess,thenbythisverynondwellingsuccesswillnot
leave.
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3
Notexaltingclevernesscausesthepeoplenottocontend.
Notputtinghighpricesonhardtogetgoodscausesthepeoplenottosteal.
Notseeinganythingtowantcausesthemindnottobeconfused.

Thereforethegovernmentofsagesemptiesthemindandfillsthemiddle,weakenstheambitionand
strengthensthebones,
alwayskeepingthepeopleinnocentandpassionless.Itmakesthesophisticatednotdaretocontrive
actionbeingwithoutcontrivance,nothingisdisordered.
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TheWayisunimpededharmonyitspotentialmayneverbefullyexploited.
Itisasdeepasthesourceofallthings
itbluntstheedges,resolvesthecomplications,harmonizesthelight,assimilatestotheworld.
Profoundlystill,itseemstobethere:
Idon'tknowwhosechilditis,beforethecreationofimages.
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Heavenandeartharenothumanetheyregardallbeingsasstrawdogs.
Sagesarenothumanetheyseeallpeopleasstrawdogs..
Thespacebetweenheavenandearthislikeabellowsandpipes,emptyyetinexhaustible,producing
morewitheachmovement.
Thetalkativereachtheirwits'endagainandagainthatisnotasgoodaskeepingcentered.
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Thevalleyspiritnotdyingiscalledthemysteriousfemale.
Theopeningofthemysteriousfemaleiscalledtherootofheavenandearth.
Continuous,onthebrinkofexistence,toputinintopractice,don'ttrytoforceit.
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Heaveniseternal,earthiseverlasting.
Thereasontheycanbeeternalandeverlastingisthattheydonotfosterthemselves,thatiswhythey
canliveforever.
Forthisreasonsagesputthemselveslast,andtheywerefirst
theyexcludedthemselves,andtheysurvived.
Wasitnotbytheirveryselflessnessthattheymanagedtofulfillthemselves?
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Highergoodislikewater:thegoodinwaterbenefitsall,anddoessowithoutcontention.Itrests
wherepeopledisliketobe,soitisclosetotheWay.
Whereitdwellsbecomesgoodgroundprofoundisthegoodinitsheart,benevolentthegoodit
bestows.Goodnessinwordsistrustworthiness,
goodnessingovernmentisordergoodnessinworkisability,goodnessinactionistimeliness.

Butonlybynoncontentionistherenothingextreme.
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Tokeeponfillingisnotasgoodasstopping.
Calculatedsharpnesscannotbekeptforlong.
Thoughgoldandjewelsfilltheirhouse,noonecankeepthem.
Whentherichupperclassesarehaughty,theirlegacyindictsthem.
Whenone'workisaccomplishedhonorably,toretireistheWayofheaven.
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Carryingvitalityandconsciousness,embracingthemasone,canyoukeepfromparting?
Concentratingenergy,makingitsupple,canyoubelikeaninfant?
Purifyinghiddenperception,canyoumakeitflawless?
Lovingthepeople,governingthenation,canyoubeuncontrived?
Asthegateofheavenopensandcloses,canyoubeimpassive?
Asunderstandingreacheseverywhere,canyoubeinnocent?
Producinganddeveloping,producingwithoutpossessing,growingwithoutdomineering:thisiscalled
mysteriouspower.
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Thirtyspokesjoinatahub:theiruseforthecartiswheretheyarenot.
Whenthepotter'swheelmakesapot,theuseofthepotispreciselywherethereisnothing.
Whenyouopenthedoorsandwindowsforaroom,itiswherethereisnothingthattheyareusefulto
theroom.
Thereforebeingisforbenefit,nonbeingisforusefulness.
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Colorsblindpeople'seyessoundsdeafentheirearsflavorsspoilpeople'spalates,
thechaseandthehuntcrazepeople'smindsgoodshardtoobtainmakepeople'sactionsharmful.
Thereforesagesworkforthemiddleandnottheeyes,leavingthelatterandtakingtheformer.
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Favoranddisgraceseemalarminghighstatusgreatlyafflictsyourperson.
Whatarefavoranddisgrace?Favoristhelower:getitandyou'resurprised,loseitandyou're
startled.Thismeansfavoranddisgracearealarming.
Whydoeshighstatusgreatlyafflictyourperson?Thereasonwehavealotoftroubleisthatwehave
selves.Ifwehadnoselveswhattroubleswouldwehave?
Thereforethosewhoembodynobilitytoactforthesakeoftheworldseemtobeabletodrawthe

worldtothem,whilethosewhoembodylovetoactforthesakeoftheworldseemtobeworthyofthe
trustoftheworld.
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Whatyoudon'tseewhenyoulookiscalledtheunobtrusive.Whatyoudon'thearwhenyoulistenis
calledtherarefied.Whatyoudon'tgetwhenyougraspiscalledthesubtle.
Thesethreecannotbecompletelyfathomed,sotheymergeintoone
aboveisnotbright,belowisnotdark.Continuous,unnameable,itreturnsagaintonothing.
Thisiscalledthestatelessstate,theimageofnothingthisiscalledmentalabstraction.Whenyou
faceityoudonotseeitshead,andwhenyoufollowityoudonotseeitsback.
HoldtotheancientWaysoastodirectpresentexistence:onlywhenyouknowtheancientcanthis
becalledthebasiccycleoftheWay.
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Skilledwarriorsofoldweresubtle,mysteriouslypowerful,sodeeptheywereunknowable.
Justbecausetheyareunknowable,Iwilltrytodescribethem.Theirwarinesswasasthatofone
crossingariverinwinter,theircautionwasasthatofoneinfearofallaroundtheirgravitywasas
thatofaguest,
theirrelaxationwasasthatoficeatthemeltingpoint.Simpleasuncarvedwood,openasvalleys,
theywereasinscrutableasmurkywater.
Whocan,inturbidity,usethegradualclarificationofstillness?Whocan,longatrest,usethegradual
enliveningofmovement?
ThosewhopreservethisWaydonotwantfullness.Justbecauseofnotwantingfullness,itispossible
tousetothefullandnotmakeanew.
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Attaintheclimaxofemptiness,preservetheutmostquiet:
asmyriadthingsactinconcert,Itherebyobservethereturn.Thingsflourish,theneachreturnstoits
root.
ReturningtotherootiscalledstillnessstillnessiscalledreturntoLife,returntoLifeiscalledthe
constantknowingtheconstantiscalledenlightenment.Actsatrandom,inignoranceoftheconstant,
bodeill.
Knowingtheconstantgivesperspectivethisperspectiveisimpartial.Impartialityisthehighest
nobilitythehighestnobilityisdivine,andthedivineistheWay.
ThisWayiseverlasting,notendangeredbyphysicaldeath.
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Verygreatleadersintheirdomainsareonlyknowntoexist.Thosenextbestarelovedandpraised.
Thelesserarefearedanddespised.
Thereforewhenfaithisinsufficientandthereisdisbelief,
itisfromthehighvalueplacedonwords.Worksareaccomplished,tasksarecompleted,andordinary
folkallsaytheyareactingspontaneously.

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WhentheGreatWayisdeserted,thenthereishumanitarianduty.
Whenintelligencecomesforth,thereisgreatfabrication.
Whenrelationsarediscordant,thereisfamilylove.
Whenthenationalpolityisbenightedandconfused,thenthereareloyalministers.
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Eliminatesagacity,abandonknowledge,andthepeoplewillbenefitahundredfold.
Eliminatehumanitarianism,abandonduty,andthepeoplereturntofamiliallove.
Eliminatecraft,abandonprofit,andtheftwillnolongerexist.
Thesethreebecomeinsufficientwhenusedforembellishmentcausingtheretobeattachments.
Seethebasic,embracetheunspoiled,lessenselfishness,diminishdesire.
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Detachfromlearningandyouhavenoworries.Howfarapartareyesandyeah?Howfarapartare
goodandbad?
Thethingspeoplefearcannotbutbefeared.Wildindeedtheuncentered!
Mostpeoplecelebrateasiftheywerebarbecuingaslaughteredcow,ortakinginthespringtime
vistasIaloneamaloof,showingnosign,likeaninfantthatdoesn'tyetsmile,ridingbuoyantlyasif
withnowheretogo.
MostpeoplehavetoomuchIaloneseemtobemissingsomething.Mineisindeedthemindofan
ignoramusinitsunadulteratedsimplicity.
OrdinarypeopletrytoshineIaloneseemtobedark.OrdinarypeopletrytobeonthealertIalone
amunobtrusive,calmastheoceandepths,buoyantasifanchorednowhere.
MostpeoplehavewaysandmeansIaloneamunsophisticatedandsimple.Ialoneamdifferentfrom
peopleinthatIvalueseekingfoodfromthemother.
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Forthecountenanceofgreatvirtue,onlytheWayistobefollowed.
Asathing,theWayisabstractandelusiveelusiveandabstract,thereareimagesinitabstractand
elusive,thereissomethingthere.Recondite,hidden,ithasvitalitytherein:thatvitalityisveryrealit
hastruththerein.
Fromancienttimestonow,itsnameistheundepartingtherebyareseenallbeauties.
HowdoIknowallbeautiesarethus?Bythis.
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Betactfulandyouremainwholebendandyouremainstraight.Thehollowisfilled,theoldis
renewed.Economyisgain,excessisconfusion..

Thereforesagesembraceunityasmodelfortheworld.
Notseeingthemselves,theyarethereforeclear.Notassertingthemselves,theyaretherefore
outstanding.Notcongratulatingthemselves,theyarethereforemeritorious.Nottakingpridein
themselves,theylastlong.
Itisjustbecausetheydonotcontendthatnooneintheworldcancontendwiththem.
Isitemptytalk,theoldsayingthattactkeepsyouwhole?Whentruthfulnessiscomplete,itstill
resortstothis.
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Tospeakrarelyisnatural.Thatiswhyagustywinddoesn'tlastthemorning,adownpourofrain
doesn'tlasttheday.
Whodoesthis?Heavenandearth.Ifheavenandearthcannotgoonforever,howmuchlesscan
humanbeings!
ThereforethosewhofollowtheWayassimilatetotheWaythevirtuousassimilatetovirtue,those
whohavelostassimilatetoloss.
ThosewhoassimilatetotheWayarehappytogainit,thosewhoassimilatetovirtuetooarehappyto
gainit,andthosewhoassimilatetolossarealsohappytogainit.
Whentrustisinsufficient,thereisdistrust.
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Thoseontiptoedon'tstandup,thosewhotakelongstridesdon'twalk
thosewhoseethemselvesarenotperceptive,thosewhoassertthemselvesarenotillustrious
thosewhoglorifythemselveshavenomerit,thosewhoareproudofthemselvesdonotlast.
OntheWay,thesearecalledoverconsumptionandexcessactivity.Somepeopledisdainthem,so
thosewiththeWayabstain.
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Somethingundifferentiatedwasbornbeforeheavenandearthstillandsilent,standingaloneand
unchanging,goingthroughcyclesunending,abletobemothertotheworld.
IdonotknowitsnameIlabelittheWay.Imposingonitaname,IcallitGreat.
Greatnessmeansitgoesgoingmeansreachingafarreachingafarmeansreturn.
ThereforetheWayisgreat,heavenisgreat,earthisgreat,andkingshipisalsogreat.Among
domainsarefourgreats,ofwhichkingshipisone.
Humanityemulatesearth,earthemulatesheaven,heavenemulatestheWay,theWayemulates
nature.
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Gravityistherootoflightnesscalmisthemasterofexcitement.
Therebydoexemplarypeopletravelalldaywithoutleavingtheirequipment.Thoughtheyhavealook
ofprosperity,theirrestingplaceistranscendent.
Whatcanbedoneaboutheadsofstatewhotaketheworldlightlyintheirownselfinterest?
Lackofgravitylosesservantsofstateinsanitylosesheadsofstate.

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Goodworksaretrackless,goodwordsareflawless,goodplanningisn'tcalculating.
Whatiswellclosedhasnoboltlockingit,butcannotbeopened.Whatiswellboundhasnorope
confiningit,butcannotbeuntied.
Thereforesagesalwaysconsideritgoodtosavepeople,sothattherearenowastedhumansthey
alwaysconsideritgoodtosavebeings,sothattherearenowastedbeings.
Sogoodpeopleareteachersofpeoplewhoarenotgood.Peoplewhoarenotgoodarestudentsof
peoplewhoaregood.
Thosewhodonothonorteachersorcareforstudentsaregreatlydeluded,eveninknowledgeable.
Thisiscalledanessentialsubtlety.
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Knowthemale,keeptothefemalebehumbletowardtheworld.Behumbletowardtheworld,and
eternalpowerneverleaves,returningagaintoinnocence.
Knowingthewhite,keeptheblackbeanexemplarfortheworld.Beanexemplarfortheworld,and
eternalpowernevergoesawry,returningagaintoinfinity.
Knowingtheeglorious,keeptheignominiousbeopentotheworld.Beopentotheworld,andeternal
powersuffices,returningagaintosimplicity.
Simplicityislosttomakeinstruments,whichsagesemployasfunctionaries.Thereforethegreat
fashionerdoesnosplitting.
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Shouldyouwanttotaketheworld,andcontrivetodoso,Iseeyouwon'tmanagetofinish.
Themostsublimeinstrumentintheworldcannotbecontrived.Thosewhocontrivespoilitthosewho
clingloseit.
Socreaturessometimesgoandsometimesfollow,sometimespuffandsometimesblow,are
sometimesstrongandsometimesweak,beginsometimeandendsometime
Thereforesagesremoveextremes,removeextravagance,removearrogance.
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ThosewhoassisthumanleaderswiththeWaydonotcoercetheworldwithweapons,forthesethings
areapttobackfire.
Bramblesgrowwhereanarmyhasbeentherearealwaysbadyearsafterawar.
Thereforethegoodareeffective,thatisalltheydonotpresumetograbpowerthereby:
theyareeffectivebutnotconceited,effectivebutnotproud,effectivebutnotarrogant.Theyare
effectivewhentheyhavetobe,effectivebutnotcoercive.
Ifyoupeakinstrength,youthenagethis,itissaid,isunguided.Theunguidedsooncometoanend.
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Fineweaponsareinstrumentsofillomen:peoplemaydespisethem,sothosewiththeWaydonot
dwellwiththem.
Thereforetheplaceofhonorfortheculturedisontheleft,whilethehonoredplaceforthemartialistis
ontheright.
Weapon,beinginstrumentsofillomen,arenotthetoolsofthecultures,whousethemonlywhen
unavoidable.
Theyconsideritbesttobealooftheywinwithoutbeautifyingit.Thosewhobeautifyitenjoykilling
people.Thosewhoenjoykillingcannotgettheirwilloftheworld.
Theleftisfavoredforauspiciousthings,therightforthingsofillomen:sothesubordinategeneralis
ontheleft,thetopgeneralontheright.Thatmeanswhenyouareinascendancyofpoweryouhandle
itasyouwouldamourning.
Whenyouhavekilledmanypeople,youweepfortheminsorrow.Whenyouwinawar,youcelebrate
bymourning.
Startfashioning,andtherearenamesoncenamesalsoexist,youshouldknowwhentostop.By
knowingwhentostop,youarenotendangered.
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TheWayiseternallynameless,Thoughsimplicityissmall,theworldcannotsubordinateit.
Iflordsandmonarchscankeeptoit,allbeingswillnaturallyresorttothem.
Heavenandearthcombine,thusshoweringsweetdew.Nohumanscommandititisevenbynature.
TheWayistotheworldasriversandoceanstovalleystreams.
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Thosewhoknowothersarewisethosewhoknowthemselvesareenlightened.
Thosewhoovercomeothersarepowerfulthosewhoovercomethemselvesarestrong.
Thosewhoarecontentedarerichthosewhoactstronglyhavewill.
Thosewhodonotlosetheirplaceendurethosewhodiewithoutperishinglivelong.
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TheGreatWayisuniversalitcanapplytotheleftortheright.
Allbeingsdependonitforlife,anditdoesnotrefuse.Itsaccomplishmentsfulfilled,itdoesnotdwell
onthem.Itlovinglynurturesallbeings,butdoesnotactastheirruler.
Asithasnodesire,itcanbecalledsmall.
Allbeingstaketoit,yetitdoesnotactastheirruler,itcanbecalledgreat.
Thereforesagesnevercontrivegreatnessthatiswhytheycanbecomesogreat.
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WhenholdingtheGreatImage,theworldgoesonandonwithoutharm,peaceful,even,tranquil.
Whenthereismusicanddining,passingtravelersstop
buttheissueoftheWayissoplainastobeflavorless.Whenyoulookatit,itisinvisiblewhenyou
listentoit,itisinaudiblewhenyouuseit,itcannotbeexhausted.

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Shouldyouwanttocontainsomething,youmustfirstdeliberatelyletitexpand.Shouldyouwantto
weakensomething,youmustdeliberatelyletitgrowstrong.Shouldyouwanttoeliminatesomething,
youmustdeliberatelyallowittoflourish.
Thisiscalledsubtleillumination.Flexibleandyieldingovercomeadamantcoerciveness.
Fishshouldn'tbetakenfromthedepthstheeffectivetoolsofthenationshouldn'tbeshowntoothers.
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TheWayisalwaysuncontrived,yetthere'snothingitdoesn'tdo.
Iflordsandmonarchscouldkeeptoit,allbeingswouldevolvespontaneously.Whentheyhave
evolvedandwanttoact,Iwouldstabilizethemwithnamelesssimplicity.
Evennamelesssimplicitywouldnotbewanted.Bynotwanting,thereiscalm,andtheworldwill
straightenitself.
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Highervirtueisnotingratiatingthatiswhyithavirtue.Lowervirtuedoesnotforgetaboutrewardthat
iswhyitisvirtueless.
Highervirtueisuncontrivedandthereisnowaytocontriveit.Lowervirtueiscreated,andthereisa
waytodoit.
Higherhumanityiscreated,butthereisnowaytocontriveit.Higherdutyisdone,andthereisaway
todoit.Highercourtesyisdone,butnoonerespondstoitsothereisforcedrepetition.
ThereforevirtuecomesafterthelossoftheWayhumanitycomesafterthelossofvirtue,dutycomes
afterthelossofhumanity,courtesycomesafterthelossofduty.
Mannersmeanloyaltyandtrustarethin,anddisarray'sbeginning.ForesightisafloweroftheWay,
andthebeginningofignorancetoo.
Thereforegreatpeopledwellinthethick,notthethin.Theyabideinthesubstance,nottheflower.So
theyleavethelatterandtaketheformer.
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Whenunitywasattainedofold,heavenbecameclearbyattainingunity,earthbecamesteadyby
attainingunity,spiritwasquickenedbyattainingunity,
valleystreamswerefilledbyattainingunity,allbeingswerebornbyattainingunityandbyattaining
unitylordsactedrightlyforthesakeoftheworld.Whatbroughtthisaboutwasunity:
withoutmeansofclarity,heavenmayburstwithoutmeansofsteadiness,earthmayeruptwithout
mensofquickening,spiritmaybeexhaustedwithoutmeansoffilling,
valleystreamsmaydryupwithoutmeansofbirth,allbeingsmayperishwithoutmeansofacting
rightly,lordsmaystumble.
Thereforenobilityisrootedinhumility,loftinessisbasedonlowliness.
Thaisiswhynoblepeoplerefertothemselvesasalone,lacking,andunworthy.Isthisnotbeing
rootedinhumility?Sothereisnopraiseinrepeatedpraisetheydon'twanttobelikejewelsorlike
stones.
Sothereisnopraiseinrepeatedpraise
theydon'twanttobelikejewelsorlikestones.

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ReturnisthemovementoftheWayyieldingisthefunctionoftheWay.
Allthingsintheworldarebornofbeingbeingisbornofnonbeing.
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WhensuperiorpeoplehearoftheWay,theycarryitoutwithdiligence.Whenmiddlingpeoplehearof
theway,itsometimesseemstobethere,sometimesnot.
WhenlesserpeoplehearoftheWay,theyridiculeitgreatly.Iftheydidn'tlaughatit,itwouldn'tbethe
Way.
Sothereareconstructivesayingsonthis:TheWayofilluminationseemsdark,theWayof
advancementseemsretiring,theWayofequalityseemstocategorizehighervirtueseemsempty,
greaterpurityseemsignominious,broadvirtueseemsinsufficient,
constructivevirtueseemscareless.Simplehonestyseemschangeable,greatrangehasno
boundaries,greatvesselsarefinishedlatethegreatsoundhasararefiedtone,thegreatimagehas
noform,
theWayhidesinnamelessness.OnlytheWaycanenhanceandperfect.
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TheWayproducesoneoneproducestwo,twoproducethree,threeproduceallbeings:
allbeingsbearyinandembraceyang,withamellowingenergyforharmony.
Thethingspeopledislikeareonlytobealone,lacking,andunworthyyetthesearewhatmonarchs
callthemselves.
Thereforepeoplemaygainfromloss,andmaylosefromgain.
Whatothersteach,Ialsoteach.Thestrongcannotmastertheirdeath:Itakethistobethefatherof
teachings.
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Whatissoftestintheworlddriveswhatishardestintheworld.Nonbeingenterswherethereisno
roomthatishowweknownoncontrivanceenhances.
Unspokenguidanceanduncontrivedenhancementarereachedbyfewintheworld.
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Whichiscloser,yournameoryourbody?Whichismore,yourbodyoryourpossessions?Whichis
moredestructive,gainorloss?
Extremefondnessmeansgreatexpense,andabundantpossessionsmeanmuchloss.
Ifyouknowwhenyouhaveenough,youwillnotbedisgraced.Ifyouknowwhentostop,youwillnot
beendangered.Itispossibletherebytolivelong.

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Greatcompletenessseemsincompleteitsuseisneverexhausted.Greatfullnessseemsemptyits
useisneverended.Greatdirectnessseemsrestrained,
greatskillseemsinept,greateloquenceseemsinarticulate.
Movementovercomescold,stillnessovercomesheat.Clearstillnessisrightfortheworld.
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WhentheworldhastheWay,runninghorsesareretiredtotillthefields.Whentheworldlacksthe
Way,warhorsesarebredinthecountryside.
Nocrimeisgreaterthandiscontent,nofaultisgreaterthanpossessiveness.
Sothesatisfactionofcontentmentisalwaysenough.
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Theyknowtheworldwithoutevengoingoutthedoor.Theyseetheskyanditspatternwithouteven
lookingoutthewindow.
Thefurtheroutitgoes,thelessknowledgeisthereforesagesknowwithoutgoing,namewithout
seeing,completewithoutstriving.
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ForlearningyougaindailyfortheWayyoulosedaily.
Losingandlosing,thusyoureachnoncontrivancebeuncontrived,andnothingisnotdone.Taking
theworldisalwaysdonebynotmakinganythingofit.
Forwhensomethingismadeofit,thatisnotenoughtotaketheworld.
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Sageshavenofixedmindtheymakethemindsofthepeopletheirmind:
theyimprovethegood,andalsoimprovethosewhoarenotgoodthatvirtueisgood.
Theymakesureofthetrue,andtheymakesureoftheuntruetoothatvirtueissure.
Therelationofsagestotheworldisoneofconcern:theycloudtheirmindsfortheworldallpeople
pourintotheirearsandeye,andsagesrendertheminnocent.
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Exitinglife,weenterdeath.

Thefollowersoflifearethreeoutoften,thefollowersofdeatharethreeoutofteninthelivesofthe
people,thedyinggroundsonwhichtheyareagitatedarealsothreeoutoften.Whatisthereason?
Becauseoftheseriousnesswithwhichtheytakelifeaslife.
Ithasbeensaidthatthosewhomaintainlifewelldonotmeetrhinosortigersonlandanddonotarm
themselvesinwar.
Thereisnowayforrhinostogorethemthereisnowayfortigerstoclawthemthereisnowayfor
weaponstogetatthem.Why?Becausetheyhavenodyingground.
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TheWaygivesbirth,virtuenurtures,thingsform,momentumcompletes.Thereforeallbeingshonor
theWayandvalueitsVirtue.
ThehonoroftheWayandthevalueofVirtuearenotgrantedbyanyone,butarealwaysnaturallyso.
SotheWaygivesbirthandnurtures,makesgrowanddevelops,completesandmatures,buildsup
andbreaksdown.
Itproducesbutdoesnotpossessitactswithoutpresumption,itfostersgrowthwithoutruling.Thisis
calledhiddenVirtue.
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Theworldhasabeginningthatisthemotheroftheworld.
Onceyouhavefoundthemother,therebyyouknowthechild.Onceyouknowthechild,youreturnto
keepthemother,notperishingthoughthebodymaydie.
Closeyoureyes,shutyourdoors,andyoudonottoilallyourlife.
Openyoureyes,carryoutyouraffair,andyourenotsavedallyourlife.
Seeingthesmalliscalledclaritykeepingflexibleiscalledstrength.
Usingtheshiningradiance,youreturnagaintothelight,notleavinganythingtoharmyourself.Thisis
calledenteringtheeternal.
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CausingoneflashesofknowledgetotraveltheGreatWay,onlyitsapplicationdemandscare.
TheGreatWayisquiteeven,yetpeoplepreferbyways.
Whencourtsareextremelyfastidious,thefieldsareseriouslyneglected,andthegranariesarevery
empty
Theywearcolorfulclothingandcarrysharpswords,eatanddrinktheirfillandpossessmorethan
enough.ThisiscalledthevanityofthievesitisnottheWay.
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Goodconstructiondoesnotfalldown,agoodembracedoesnotletgotheirheirshonorthem
unceasingly.
Cultivateitinyourself,andthatvirtueisrealcultivateitinthehome,andthatvirtueisabundant
cultivateitinthelocality,andthatvirtuelastscultivateitinthenation,andthatvirtueisrichcultivate
itintheworld,andthatvirtueisuniversal.
Soobserveyourselfbyyourself,observethehomebythehome,observethelocalitybythelocality,
observethenationbythenation,observetheworldbytheworld.

HowdoIknowtheworldisasitis?Bythis.
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Therichnessofsubliminalvirtueiscomparabletoaninfant:poisonouscreaturesdonotstingit,wild
beastsdonotclawit,predatorybirdsdonotgrabit.Itstendonsareflexible,yetitsgripisfirm.
Evenwhileitknowsnotofthematingofmaleandfemale,itsgenitalsgetarousedthisistheepitome
ofvitality.
Itcancryalldaywithoutchokingorgettinghoarsethisistheepitomeofharmony.Knowingharmony
iscalledconstancyknowingconstancyiscalledclarity
enhancinglifeiscalledpropitious,themindmasteringenergyiscalledstrong.
Whenbeingsclimaxinpower,theywanethisiscalledbeingunguided.Theunguideddieearly.
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Thosewhoknowdonotsaythosewhosaydonotknow.
Closethesenses,shutthedoorsbluntthesharpness,resolvethecomplicationsharmonizethelight,
assimilatetotheworld.Thisiscalledthemysterioussameness.
Itcannotbemadefamiliar,yetcannotbeestrangeditcannotbeprofited,yetcannotbeharmedit
cannotbevalued,yetcannotbedemeaned.Thereforeitispreciousfortheworld.
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Usestraightforwardnessforcivilgovernment,usesurpriseformilitaryoperationsuse
noninvolvementtotaketheworld.HowdoIknowthis?
Themoretaboosthereareintheworld,thepoorerthepopulaceis
Themorecraftsthepeoplehave,themoreexoticthingsareproducedthemorelawsare
promulgated,thegreaterthenumberofthieves.
Thereforethesagesays,Icontrivenothing,andthepeoplearenaturallycivilizedIamfondof
tranquility,andthepeoplearenaturallyupright.
Ihavenothingtodo,andthepeoplearenaturallyenriched.Ihavenodesire,andthepeopleare
naturallysimple.
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Whenthegovernmentisunobtrusive,thepeoplearepure.Whenthegovernmentisinvasive,the
peoplearewanting.
Calamityiswhatfortunedependsuponfortuneiswhatcalamitysubdues.
Whoknowshowitwillallend?Istherenorightandwrong?Theorthodoxalsobecomesthe
unorthodox,thegoodalsobecomesillpeople'sconfusionisindeedlongstanding.
Thereforesagesareuprightwithoutcausinginjury,honestwithouthurting,directbutnottactless,
illuminatedbutnotflashy.
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Togovernthehumanandservethedivine,nothingcomparestofrugality.
Onlyfrugalitybringsearlyrecoveryonlyrecoverymeansbuildupofpower.Buildupvirtue,andyou
masterall.Whenyoumasterall,nooneknowsyourlimit.Whennooneknowsyourlimit,youcan
maintainanation.
Whenyoumaintainthematrixofanation,youcanlastlong.
Thisiscalledmakingtherootdeepandthebasisfirm,theWayoflonglifeandeternalvision.
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Governingalargenationislikecookingalittlefish.
WhentheworldisruledbytheWay,theghostsarepowerless.
Itisnotthattheghostsarepowerlesstheirspiritsdonotharmthepeople.Notonlydothespiritsnot
harmthepeoplesagesdonotharmthepeopleeither.
Becausethetwodonotharmeachother,theirvirtuesultimatelycombine.
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Agreatnationflowsdownwardintointercoursewiththeworld.Thefemaleoftheworldalways
prevailsoverthemalebystillness.
Becausestillnessisconsideredlower,byloweringitselftoasmallnationagreatnationtakesasmall
nationbybeinglowerthanagreatnationasmallnationtakesagretnation.
Soonetakesbyloweringitself,anothertakesplacebybeinglower.
Agreatnationwantsnomorethantoincludeandnurturepeopleasmallnationantsnomorethanto
admitandservepeople.
Bothgetwhattheywant,sothegreatshouldbebelow.
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TheWayisthepivotofallthings:thetreasureofgoodpeople,thesafeguardofthosewhoarenot
good.
Finewordscanbesold,honoredactscanoppresspeoplewhyshouldpeoplewhoarenotgood
abandonthem.
Thereforetoestablishanemperorandsetuphighofficials,onemayhaveagreatjewelanddrivea
teamofhorses,butthatisnotasgoodasadvancingcallmlyonthisWay.
WhydidtheancientsvaluethisWay?Byitonecanattainwithoutlongseekingandescapefromthe
faultsoehasthereforeitisvaluedbytheworld.
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Bynondoing,strivefornonstriving,savortheflavorless,
regardthesmallasimportant,makemuchoflittle,repayenmitywithvirtue
planfordifficultywhenitisstilleasy,dothegreatwhileitisstillsmall.
Themostdifficultthingsintheworldmustbedonewhiletheyareeasythegreatestthingsinthe
worldmustbedonewhentheyaresmall.
Becauseofthissagesneverdogreeatthingsthatiswhytheycanfulfilltheirgreatness.

Ifyouagreetooeasily,you'llbelittletrustedifyoutakeiteasyalot,you'llhavealotofproblems.
Thereforeitisthroughdifficultythatsagesendupwithoutproblems.
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Whatisatrestiseasytohold.Whathasnotshownupiseasytotakeintoaccount.Whatisfrailis
easytobreak.Whatisvagueiseasytodispel.
Doitbeforeitexistsgovernitbeforethere'sdisorder.
Themostmassivetreegrowsfromasproutthehighestbuildingrisesfromapileofearthajourneyof
athousandmilesbeginswithasinglestep.
Thosewhocontrivespoilitthosewhoclingloseit.Thussagescontrivenothing,andsospoilnothing.
Theyclingtonothing,andsolosenoting.
Thereforepeople'sworksarealwaysspoiledonthevergeofcompletion.Beascarefuloftheendas
ofthebeginning,andnothingwillbespoiled.
Thussageswanttohavenowantstheydonotvaluegoodshardtoget.Theylearnnotlearningto
recoverfrompeople'sexcesses,therebytoassistthenaturalnessofallbeings,withoutdaringto
contrive.
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Inancienttimes,goodpractitionersoftheWaydidnotuseittoenlightenthepeople,buttomake
themunsophisticated.
Whenpeopleareunruly,itisbecauseoftheirsophistication.Sotogovernacountrybycunningisto
robthecountry.Notusingcunningtogovernacountryisgoodfortuneforthecountry.
Tooknowthesetwoisalsoamodel.Beingalwaysawareofthemodeliscalledhiddenvirtue.
Hiddenvirtueisdeep,farreaching,incontrasttoordinarypeople.Onlywhenitithusdoesitreach
greataccord.
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Thereasonwhyriversandseascanbelordsofthehundredvalleysisthattheylowerthemselvesto
themallthereforetheycanbelordsofthehundredvalleys.
Sowhensageswishtoriseabovepeople,theylowerthemselvestothemintheirspeech.Whenthey
wanttopreceedpeople,theygoaftertheminstatus.
Sowhensagesrule,peopledon'ttakeitgravely.Andwhensagesareintheforefront,peopledon't
attackthem.Thereforetheworldhappilybacksthemanddoesnottireofthem.
Becausetheydonotcontend,nooneintheworldcancontendwiththem.
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EveryoneintheworldsaysmyWayisgreat,butitseemsincomparble.Itisjustbecauseitisgreat
thatitseemsincomparable:whencomparisonsarelongestablisheditbecomestrivialized.
IhavethreetreasuresthatIkeepandhold:oneismercy,thesecondisfrugality,thethirdisnot
presumingtobeattheheadoftheworld.
Byreasonofmercy,onecanbebrave.Byreasonoffrugality,oecanbebroad.Bynotpresumingto
beattheheadoftheworld,onecanmakeyourpotentiallast.
Nowifonewereboldbuthadnomercy,ifonewerebroadbutwerenotfrugal,ifonewentahead

withoutdeference,onewoulddie.
Usemercyinwar,andyouwinuseitindefense,andyou'resecure.Thosewhomheavenisgoingto
savearethoseitguardswithmercy.
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Goodwarriorsdonotarm,goodfightersdon'tgetmad,
goodwinnersdon'tcontend,goodemployersservetheirworkers.
Thisiscalledthevirtueofnoncontentionthisiscalledmatingwiththesupremelynaturalandpristine.
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Therearesayingsontheuseofarms:"Letusnotbeaggressors,butdefend.""Letusnotadvancean
inch,butretreatafoot."
Thisiscalledcarryingoutnoaction,shakingnoarm,facingnoenemy,wieldingnoweapon.
Nocalamityisgreaterthanunderestimatingopponents.Ifyouunderestimateopponents,you'reclose
tolosingyourtreasure.
Sowhenopposingarmiesclash,thecompassionatearetheoneswhowin.
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Mysayingsareeasytorecognize,andveryeasytoapply.Butnooneintheworldcanrecognize
them,andnoonecanapplythem.
Sayingshaveasource,eventshavealeader.ItisonlythroughignorancethatIamnotknown.Those
whoknowmearerarethosewhoemulatemeanoble.
Thisiswhysagesdressplainly,andconcealwhatisprecious.
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Toknowunconsciouslyisbest.Topresumetoknowwhatyoudon'tissick.Onlybyrecognizingthe
sicknessofsicknessisitpossibletobenotsick.
Thesages'freedomfromillswasfromrecognizingthesicknessofsickness,sotheydidn'tsufferfrom
sickness.
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Whenthepeoplearenotawedbyauthority,thengreatauthorityisattained.
Theirhomesarenotsmalltothem,theirlivelihoodnottiresome.Justbecausetheydonottireofit,it
isnottiresometothem.
Thereforesagesknowthemselvesbutdonotseethemselves.Theytakecareofthemselvesbutdo
notexaltthemselves.Sotheytakeoneandleavetheother.

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Boldnessindaringmeanskillingboldnessinnotdaringmeanslife.
Thesetwomayhelpandmayharm.Whoknowsthereasonforwhatheavendislikes?Thatiswhy
evensagesfindithardforthem.
TheWayofheavenwinswellwithoutcontest,respondswellwithoutspeech,comesofitselfuncalled,
relaxedyetveryresourceful.
Thenetofheavenisvasttheholesarelargebutdon'tletslip.
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Ifpeopleusuallydon'tfeardeath,howcandeathbeusedtoscarethem?
Ifpeoplearemadetofeardeath,andyoucatchthemandkillthemwhentheyactoddly,whowould
dare?
Therearealwaysexecutioners.Andtokillintheplaceofanexecutioneristakingtheplaceofa
mastercarver.Thosewhotaketheplaceofamastercarverrarelyavoidcuttingtheirhands.
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Whenpeoplearestarving,itisbecausetheirgovernmentstaketoomuch,causinghemtostarve.
Whenpeoplearehardtocontrol,itisbecauseofthecontrivancesoftheirgovernments,whichmake
themhardtocontrol.
Whenpeopleslightdeath,itisbecauseoftheearnestnesswithwhichtheyseeklifethatmakesthem
slightdeath.Onlythosewhodonotcontrivetolivearewiseinvaluinglife.
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Whenpeopleareborntheyaresupple,andwhentheydietheyarestiff..
Whentreesareborntheyaretender,andwhentheydietheyarebrittle.
Stiffnessisthusacompanionofdeath,flexibilityacompanionoflife.
Sowhenanarmyisstrongitdoenotprevail.Whenatreeisstrong,itiscutforuse.
Sothestiffandstrongarebelow,thesuppleandyieldingontop.
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TheWayofheavenislikedrawingabow:thehighislowered,thelowisraisedexcessisreduced,
needisfulfilled.
TheWayofheavenreducesexcessandfillsneed,butthewayofhumansisnotso:theystripthe
needytoservethosewhohavetoomuch.
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Nothingintheworldismoreflexibleandyieldingthanwater.Yetwhenitattacksthefirmandthe
strong,nonecanwithstandit,becausetheyhavenowaytochangeit.
Sotheflexibleovercomestheadamant,theyieldingovercometheforceful.Everyoneknowsthis,but
noonecandoit.
Thisiswhythesagessaythosewhocantakeonthedisgraceofnationsareleadersoflandsand
thosewhocantakeonthemisfortuneofnationsarerulersoftheworld.Truesayingsseem
paradoxical.
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Whenyouharmonizebitterenemies,yetresentmentissuretolinger,howcanthisbecalledgood?
Thereforesageskeeptheirfaithanddonotpressureothers.
Sothevirtuousseetotheirpromises,whilethevirtuelesslookafterprecedents.
TheWayofheavenisimpersonalitisalwayswithgoodpeople.
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Asmallstatehasfewpeople.Ithasthepeoplekeeparmsbutnotusethem.Ithasthemregarddeath
gravelyandnotgoondistantcampaigns.
Eveniftheyhavevehicles,theyhavenowheretodrivethem.Eveniftheyhaveweapons,theyhave
nowheretousethem.
Ithasthepeoplegobacktosimpletechniques,relishtheirfood,liketheirclothes,becomfortablein
theirways,andenjoytheirwork.
Neighboringstatesmaybesoclosetheycanheareachother'sdogsandroosters,buttheymakeito
thatthepeoplehavenevergonebackandforth.
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Truewordsarenotbeautiful,beautifulwordsarenottrue.
Thegoodarenotargumentative,theargumentativearenotgood.
Knowersdonotgeneralize,generalistsdonotknow.
Sagesdonotaccumulateanythingbutgiveeverythingtoothers,havingmorethemoretheygive.
TheWayofheavenhelpsanddoesnotharm.TheWayforhumansistoactwithoutcontention.

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