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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 8
The Tao is hidden, and has no name; but it is the
Tao which is
skilful at imparting to all things what they need and making them
complete.
The Tao produced One; One produced Two; Two produced Three;
Three produced All things. All things leave behind them the Obscurity
out of which they have come, and go forward to embrace the
Brightness into which they have emerged, while they are harmonised
by the Breath of Vacancy.
What people dislike is to be orphans, to have little virtue, to
be as
carriages without naves; and yet these are the designations which
kings and princes use for themselves. So it is that some things
are
increased by being diminished, and others are diminished by being
increased.
What other people thus teach, I also teach. The violent and strong
do not die their natural death. I will make this the basis of my
teaching.
The softest thing in the world dashes against and overcomes the
hardest; that which has no substantial existence enters where there
is no crevice. I know hereby what advantage belongs to doing nothing
with a purpose.
There are few in the world who attain to the teaching without
words, and the advantage arising from non-action.
Or fame or life,
Which do you hold more dear?
Or life or wealth,
To which would you adhere?
Keep life and lose those other things;
Keep them and lose your life: which brings
Sorrow and pain more near?
Thus we may see,
Who cleaves to fame
Rejects what is more great;
Who loves large stores
Gives up the richer state.
Who is content
Needs fear no shame.
Who knows to stop
Incurs no blame.
From danger free
Long live shall he.
Who thinks ones great achievements poor
Shall find vigour long endure.
Of greatest fulness, deemed a void,
Exhaustion ne'er shall stem the tide.
Do thou what's straight still crooked deem;
Thy greatest art still stupid seem,
And eloquence a stammering scream.
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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