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THE TAO TE CHING,
OR
THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
by Lao Tzu
translated by James Legge
(Edited by Zee Sing*)
Selection 6
He who does not fail in the requirements of his
position, continues
long; he who dies and yet does not perish, has longevity.
All-pervading is the Great Tao! It may be found on the left
hand and on the right.
All things depend on it for their production, which it gives to
them, not one refusing obedience to it. When its work is
accomplished, it does not claim the name of having done it. It
clothes all things as with a garment, and makes no assumption of
being
their lord;--it may be named in the smallest things. All things
return to their root and disappear, and do not know that it is it
which presides over their doing so;--it may be named in the greatest
things. Hence the sage is able in the same way to accomplish his
great
achievements. It is through his not making himself great that he
can
accomplish them.
To him who holds in his hands the Great Image of the invisible
Tao, the whole world repairs. Men resort to him, and receive no
hurt, but fine rest, peace, and the feeling of ease.
Music and dainties will make the passing guest stop for a time.
But though the Tao as it comes from the mouth, seems insipid and
has
no flavour, though it seems not worth being looked at or listened
to,
the use of it is inexhaustible.
When one is about to take an inspiration, he is sure to make a
previous expiration; when he is going to weaken another, he will
first strengthen him; when he is going to overthrow another, he
will
first have raised him up; when he is going to despoil another, he
will
first have made gifts to him:--this is called 'Hiding the light
of
his procedure.'
The soft overcomes the hard; and the weak the strong.
Fishes should not be taken from the deep; instruments for the
profit of a state should not be shown to the people.
The Tao in its regular course does nothing for the sake of
doing it, and so there is nothing which it does not do.
If princes and kings were able to maintain it, all things would
of
themselves be transformed by them.
If this transformation became to me an object of desire, I would
express the desire by the nameless simplicity.
Simplicity without a name
Is free from all external aim.
With no desire, at rest and still,
All things go right as of their will.
Selection 1, 2,
3, 4,
5, 6,
7, 8,
9, 10,
11, 12,
13, 14,
15
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*Because the Legge translation is
rather old, it has been edited slightly to update the language to
a more contemporary standard.
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