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道德經
Dao De Jing
Way of Virtue Classic
Chapters 1 - 13 & 23 -36
A partial examination with Chinese characters,
Hanyu Pinyin romanization, tone number
pronunciation guides, English translation
and extensive footnotes
道 可 道, 非 常 道.
dao 4 ke 3 dao 4 fei 1 chang 2 dao 4
path can be told no regular path
Dao can be talked about, but not the eternal Dao. *1 *2
名 可 名, 非 常 名.
ming 2 ke 3 ming 2 fei 1 chang 2 ming 2
name can described no ordinary name
Names can be named, but not the eternal name.
無, 名 天 地 之 始.
wu 2 ming 2 tian 1 di 4 zhi 1 shi 3
without name Heaven Earth (is) origin
As the origin of heaven-and-earth, it is nameless:
有, 名 萬 物 之 母.
you 3 ming 2 wan 4 wu 4 zhi 1 mu 3
have name 10,000 substance (is) mother
As the Mother of all things, it is namable. *3, *4
故 常 無, 欲, 以 觀 其 妙.
gu 4 chang 2 wu 2 yu 4 yi 3 guan 1 qi 2 miao 4
thus constant nil desire use as observe that subtle
So, as ever hidden, we should look at its inner essence.
常 有, 欲 以 觀 其 徼.
chang 2 you 3 yu 4 yi 3 guan 1 qi 2 jiao 4
constant have desire use as observe that frontier
As always manifest, we should look at its outer aspects.
此 兩 者, 同 出 而 異 名.
ci 3 liang 2 zhe 3 tong 2 chu 1 er 2 yi 4 ming 2
these both those alike source but different name
These two flow from the same source, though differently named;
同 謂 之 玄.
tong 2 wei 4 zhi 1 xuan 2
alike to say that mystery
And both are called mysteries.
玄 之 又 玄. 眾 妙 之 門.
xuan 2 zhi 1 you 4 xuan 2 zhong 4 miao 4 zhi 1 men 2
mystery that further mystery numerous essence that door
The mystery of mysteries is the door of all essence. *5
第二章 Chapter 2
天 下 皆 知 美 之 為 美,
tian 1 xia 4 jie 1 zhi 1 mei 3 zhi 1 wei 2 mei 3
heaven beneath all know beauty is equal beauty
When all the world knows beauty as beauty, *6
斯 惡 已.
si 1 e 4 yi 3
thus evil already
This in itself is evil.
皆 知 善 之 為 善,
jie 1 zhi 1 shan 4 zhi 1 wei 2 shan 4,
all know good is do good
When all know good is good,
斯 不 善 已.
si 1 bu 4 shan 4 yi 3
then not good already
This in itself is not good.
故 有 無 相 生.
(gu 4 you 3) wu 2 xiang 1 sheng 1
being not being mutually exist
The manifest and the hidden create each other.
難 易 相 成.
nan 2 yi 4 xiang 1 cheng 2
difficult easy mutually form
Difficult and easy compliment each other.
長 短 相 形,
chang 2 duan 3 xiang 1 xing 2
long short mutually exhibit
Long and short exhibit each other.
高 下 相 傾.
gao 1 xia 4 xiang 1 qing 1
high low mutually lean
High and low set measure to each other.
音 聲 相 和.
yin 1 sheng 1 xiang 1 he 2
sound voice mutually harmony
Sound and voice harmonize each other.
前 後 相 隨.
qian 2 hou 4 xiang 1 sui 2
behind front mutually follow
Back and front follow each other.
是 以 聖 人 處 無 為 之 事.
shi 4 yi 3 sheng 4 ren 2 chu 3 (wu 2 wei 2) zhi 1 shi 4
thus that holy man manage non action (his) affairs
Therefore, the sage manages his affairs non-action, *7
行 不 言 之 教.
xing 2 bu 4 yan 2 zhi 1 jiao 4
conduct no speech (his) teaching
And spreads his teaching without talking.
萬 物 作 焉 而 不 辭.
wan 4 wu 4 zuo 4 yen 1 er 2 bu 4 ci 4
10,000 things compose refuse but no start
He denies nothing to the myriad things.
生 而 不 有.
sheng 1 er 2 bu 4 you 3
create but not have
He rears them, but does not possess them.
為 而 不 恃.
wei 2 er 2 bu 4 shi 4
do but not rely
He does his work but does not rely on it.
功 成 而 弗 居.
gong 1 cheng 2 er 2 fu 2 ju 1
task accomplish but not dwell
He accomplishes his task, but does not dwell on it.
夫 唯 弗 居. 是 以 不 去.
fu 1 wei 2 fu 2 ju 1 shi 4 yi3 bu 4 qu 4
man only not dwell is that no go
Because he does not dwell on it, it cannot be taken away.
第三章 Chapter 3
不 尚 賢, 使 民 不 爭.
bu 4 shang 4 xian 2 shi 3 min 2 bu 4 zheng 1
not praise virtuous lead people not compete
Not praising the virtuous, will lead people to not compete.
不 貴 難 得 之 貨,
Bu 4 gui 4 nan 2 de 2 zhi 1 huo 4
Not esteem difficult attain (pos.) goods
Not prizing difficult to attain goods,
使 民 不 為 盜.
shi 3 min 2 bu 4 wei 2 dao 4
Lead people not do steal
Will lead people to not steal.
不 見 可 欲, 使 民 心 不 亂.
bu 4 jian 4 ke 3 yu 4, shi 3 min 2 xin 1 bu 4 luan 4
No see induce desire, lead people heart not disorder
Not inducing desire, will lead people’s hearts to not be disturbed.
是 以 聖 人 之 治:
(Shi 4 yi 3) sheng 4 ren 2 zhi 1 zhi 4
(Therefore) holy man ‘s governance
Therefore the sage’s way of governing is:
虛 其 心. 實 其 腹.
Xu 1 qi 2 xin 1 shi 2 qi 2 fu 4
Weak their hearts, fill their stomach
Soften their hearts, and fill their stomachs,
弱 其 志. 強 其 骨.
Ruo 4 qi 2 zhi 4 qiang 2 qi 2 gu 3
Weaken their ambition, strengthen their bones
Weakening their ambitions, and strengthen their bones.
常 使 民 無 知 無 欲.
Chang 2 shi 3 min 2 wu 2 zhi 1 wu 2 yu 4
Often let people no knowledge no desire
Let the people to remain without knowledge or desire,
使 夫 智 者 不 敢 為 也.
Shi 3 fu 1 zhi 4 zhe 3 bu 4 gan 3 wei 2 ye 3
Let that wise those who, not dare do so
And the wise ones would not dare do so.
為 無 為. 則 無 不 治.
Wei 2 wu 2 wei 2 ze 2 wu 2 bu 4 zhi 4
Do non action thus no not orderly
Practice non-action and all will be in order. *7
第四章 Chapter 4
道 沖 而 用 之, 久 不 盈.
Dao 4 chong 1 er 2 yong 4 zhi 1 jiou 3 bu 4 ying 2
Way void, but use it long time no filled
The Dao is like an empty bowl, which in being used can never be filled up. *8
淵 兮 似 萬 物 之 宗.
Yuan 1 xi 1 si 4 (wan 4 wu 4) zhi 1 zong 1
Profound oh! seems many things ‘s ancestor
Fathomless, it seems to be the origin of all things.
挫 其 鋭, 解 其 紛.
Cuo 4 qi 2 rui 4 jie 3 qi 2 fen 1
Subdue its sharp dispel its numerous
It blunts all sharp edges, and unties all tangles, *9
和 其 光, 同 其 塵.
He 2 qi 2 guang 1 tong 2 qi 2 chen 2
Blend that light, mingle that dust
It harmonizes all lights, and unites all fragments.
湛 兮 似 或 存.
Zhan 4 xi 1 si 4 huo 4 cun 2
Deep oh! seems probably eternal
Hidden in the deeps, yet it seems to exist forever. *10 *11
吾 不 知 誰 之 子.
Wu 2 bu 4 zhi1 sei2 zi 1 zi 3
I not know whose ‘s child
I do not know whose child it is;
象 帝 之 先.
Xiang 4 di 4 (zhi 1 xian 1)
As if divine ancestor
It seems to be the divine ancestor. *12
第五章 Chapter 5
天 地 不 仁,
Tian 1 di 4 bu 4 ren 2
Heaven earth not merciful
Heaven-and-Earth is not sentimental;
以 萬 物 為 芻 狗
Yi 3 (wan 4 wu 4) wei 2 chu 2 gou 3
Regards all creation as if straw dog
It regards all things as straw-dogs.*13
聖 人 不 仁,
(Sheng 4 ren 2) bu 4 ren 2
Sage not merciful
The Sage is not sentimental;
以 百 姓 為 芻 狗.
Yi 3 (bai 3 xing 4) wei 2 chu 2 gou 3
Regards the masses as if straw dog
He regards all people as if straw-dogs.
天 地 之 間, 其 猶 槖 蘥 乎:
Tian 1 di 4 (zhi 1 jian 1), qi 2 yu 2 (gao 1 yao 4) hu 1
Heaven earth between, that as if bellows excl.!
Between Heaven and earth, there seems to be a bellows:
虛 而 不 屈. 動 而 愈 出.
Xu 1 er 2 bu 4 qu 1 dong 4 er 2 yu 4 chu 1
stilled but not bent action then increasingly outward
It is empty, and yet it is inexhaustible; the more it works, the more comes out of it.
多 言 數 窮. 不 如 守 中.
Duo 1 yan 2 shu 4 qiong 2 (Bu 4 ru 2) shou 3 zhong 1
More speech again destitute Better to watch within
More speech cannot express it: Better look for it within you. *14
第六章 Chapter 6
谷 神 不 死, 是 謂 玄 牝.
Gu 3 shen 2 bu 4 si 3 shi 4 wei 4 xuan 2 pin 4
Valley god not death is called mysterious femine
The spirit of the fountain dies not, and is called the Mysterious Feminine. *15, *16
玄 牝 之 門. 是 謂 天 地 根.
Xuan 2 pin 4 zi1 men, shi 4 wei 4 tian 1 di 4 gen 1
Mysterious feminine door, is called Heaven Earth root
The Doorway of the Mysterious Feminine is the root of Heaven and Earth. *16
綿 綿 若 存. 用 之 不 勤.
(mian 2 mian 2) ruo 4 cun 2 yong 4 zhi 1 bu 4 qin 2
Continuous as if existance forever use it not exhausted
Lingering like gossamer, it has only a hint of existence; and yet when you draw upon it, it is
inexhaustible. *17
第七章 Chapter 7
天 長 地 久.
Tian 1 chang 2 di 4 jiou 3
Heaven long Earth everlasting
Heaven last long, and Earth abides.
天 地 所 以 能 長 且 久 者.
Tian 1 di 4 (suo 3 yi 3) neng 2 (chang 2 qui 3 jiou 3) zhe 3
Heaven earth therefore can permanent cause *18
What is the secret of their durability?
以 其 不 自 生.
Yi 3 qi 2 bu 4 (zi 4 sheng 1)
Because its no self grow
Is it not that they do not live for themselves
故 能 長 久.
Gu 4 neng 2 chang 2 jiou 3
Thus can be long lasting *19
That they can live so long?
是 以 聖 人 後 其 身, 而 身 先.
(Thi 4 yi 3) (sheng 4 ren 2) hou 4 qi 2 shen 1 er 2 shen 1 xian 1
Thus Sage after ignore life but life ahead
Thus, the sage wants to remain behind, but finds himself ahead of others;
外 其 身, 而 身 存.
Wai 4 qi 2 shen 1 er 2 shen 1 cun 2
Outside his life but life endure
Reckons himself out, but finds himself secure.
非 以 其 無 私 耶.
Fei 1 yi 3 qi 2 (wu 2 si 1 ye 3)
Not because his unselfishness,
Is it not because he is selfless,
故 能 成 其 私.
Gu 4 neng 2 cheng 2 (qi 2 si 1)
So obtain his private interest
That his Self is realized?
第八章 Chapter 8
上 善 若 水.
Shang 4 shan 4 ruo 4 shui 3
Superior good seem water
The highest form of goodness is like water. *20
水 善 利 萬 物 而 不 爭.
Shui 3 shan 4 li 4 wan 4 wu 4 er 2 bu 4 zheng1
Water adapt benefit whole creation but no contend
Water benefits all things without striving with them.
處 眾 人 之 所 惡.
Chu 3 (zhong 4 ren 2) zhi suo 3 wu 4
Situated everybody that which loath
It stays in places loathed by all men.
故 幾 於 道.
Gu4 (ji 3 yu 2) dao 4
So similar way
Therefore, it is like the Dao.
居 善 地.
Ju 1 shan 4 di 4
Dwell good place
In choosing your dwelling, know how to keep to the ground.
心 善 淵.
Xin 1 shan 4 yuan 1
Heart/mind good deep
In cultivating your mind, know how to dive in the hidden deeps.
與 善 仁.
Yu 3 shan 4 ren 2
Give good kind
In dealing with others, how to be gentle and kind.
言 善 信.
Yan 2 shan 4 xin 4
Speak good trustworthy
In speaking, how to keep your words.
正 善 治.
Zheng 4 shan 4 zhi 4
Govern excellent rule
In governing, how to maintain order.
事 善 能.
Shi 4 shan 4 neng 2
Endeavor best ability
In transacting business, how to be efficient.
動 善 時.
Dong (shan4 shi2)
Act good time
In making a move, know how to choose the right moment.
夫 唯 不 爭, 故 無 尤.
Fu 1 wei 2 bu 4 zheng 1, gu 4 wu 2 you 2
Those people no contend so no fault
If you do not strive with others, you will be free from blame.
第九章 Chapter 9
持 而 盈 之, 不 如 其 已.
chi 2 er 2 ying 2 zhi 1 (bu 4 ru 2) qi 2 yi 3
hold and full it not ? it stop
As for holding to fullness, far better were it to stop in time.*21, 22
揣 而 銳 之, 不 可 長 保.
chuai 3 er 2 rui 4 zhi 1 bu 4 ke 3 chang 2 bao 3
beat and sharpen it not could long keep
Keep on beating and sharpening a sword, and the edge cannot be preserved for long.
金 玉 滿 堂, 莫 之 能 守.
jin 1 yu 4 man 3 tang 2 mo 4 zhi 1 neng 2 shou 3
gold jade fill house not could keep
Fill your house with gold and jade, and it can no longer be guarded.
富 貴 而 驕, 自 遺 其 咎.
(fu 4 gui 4) er 2 jiao 1 zi 4 yi 2 qi 2 jiu 4
wealth power and pride self ask the calamity
Set store by your riches and honour, and you will only reap a crop of calamities.*23
功 成 身 退, 天 之 道.
gong 1 cheng 2 shen 1 tui 4 tian 1 zhi 1 dao 4
work accomplish self retire Heaven of way
When you have done your work, retire! This is the Way of Heaven.
第十章 Chapter 10
載 營 魄, 抱 一
zai 4 (ying 2 po 4) bao 4 yi 1
oh! spirit hold way
In keeping the spirit and the vital soul together in Dao,*24, 25
能 無 離 乎.
neng 2 wu 2 li 2 hu 1
could not leave ?
Are you able to maintain their perfect harmony? Could you not leave the Dao?
專 氣 致 柔, 能 嬰 兒 乎.
zhuan 1 qi 4 zhi 4 rou 2 neng 2 (ying 1 er 2) hu 1
concertrate energy make soft could baby ?
In gathering your vital energy to attain suppleness, have you reached the state of a new-born babe?
滌 除 玄 覽, 能 無 疵 乎.
di 2 chu 2 (xuan 2 lan 3) neng 2 wu 2 ci 1 ch 1
clean remove mind could no flaw ?
In washing and clearing your inner vision, have you purified it of all dross?*26
愛 民 治 國, 能 無 為 乎.
ai 4 min 2 zhi 4 guo 2 neng 2 (wu 2 wei 2) hu 1
love citizen govern state could no do ?
In loving your people and governing your state, are you able to dispense with cleverness*27
天 門 開 闔, 能 為 雌 乎.
(tain 1 men 2) kai 1 he 2 neng 2 wei 2 ci 2 hu 1
heaven gate open close could be silent ?
In the opening and shutting of Heaven’s gate, are you able to be quiet and gentle?*28
明 白 四 達, 能 無 知 乎.
(ming 2 bai 2) si 4 da 2 neng 2 wu 2 zhi 1 hu 1
understand four reach could no cleverness ?
Enlightened and seeing far into all directions.
Can you understand Dao with a natural mind, not by human cleverness?*29, 30
生 之 畜 之. 生 而 不 有.
sheng 1 zhi 1 xu 4 zhi 1 sheng 1 er 2 bu 4 you 3
rear them feed them rear but not posess
Rear your people, feed your people. Rear them without claiming them for your own!
為 而 不 恃. 長 而 不 宰.
wei 2 er 2 bu 4 shi 4 zhang 3 er 2 bu 4 zai 3
do but not rely leader but not butcher
Do your work without setting and store by it! Be a leader, not a butcher.
是 謂 玄 德.
shi 4 wei 4 xuan 2 de 2
this called mystery virtue
This is called hidden Virtue.
第十一章 Chapter 11
三 十 輻 共 一 轂.
(san 1 shi 2) fu 2 gong 4 yi 1 gu 3
30 spokes join one hub
Thirty spokes converge upon a single hub;
當 其 無, 有 車 之 用.
dang 1 qi 2 wu 2 you 3 che 1 zhi 1 yong 4
because it empty have cart for use
It is on the hole in the center that the use of the cart hinges.
埏 埴 以 為 器.
yan 2 zhi 2 (yi 3 wei 2) qi 4
knead clay to be vessel
We make a vessel from a lump of clay;
當 其 無, 有 器 之 用.
dang 1 qi 2 wu 2 you 3 qi 4 zhi 1 youg 4
because it empty have vessle for use
It is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful.
鑿 戶 牖 以 為 室.
zao 2 hu 4 you 3 (yi 3 wei 2) zhi 4
dig door window to be room
We make doors and windows for a room;
當 其 無, 有 室 之 用.
dong 1 qi 2 wu 2 you 3 shi 4 zhi 1 yong 4
because it empty have room for use
It is these empty spaces that make the room livable.
故 有 之 以 為 利.
gu 4 you 3 zhi 1 (yi 3 wei 2) li 4
thus have to be convenient
Thus, while the tangible has advantages,
無 之 以 為 用.
wu 2 zhi 1 (yi 3 wei 2) yong 4
empty to be use
It is the intangible that makes it useful.
第十二章 Chapter 12
五 色 令 人 目 盲.
(wu 3 se 4) ling 4 ren 2 mu 4 mang 2
five colors make people eye blind
The five colours blind the eye.
五 音 令 人 耳 聾.
wu 3 yin 1 ling 4 ren 2 er 3 long 2
five sound make people ear deaf
The five tones deafen the ear.
五 味 令 人 口 爽.
wu 3 wei 4 ling 4 ren 2 kou 3 shuang 3
five taste make people mouth spoil
The five flavours cloy the palate.
馳 騁 畋 獵, 令 人 心 發 狂.
(chi 2 cheng 3) tian 2 lie 4 ling 4 ren 2 xin 1 (fa 1 kuang 2)
race plain hunt make people mind go crazy
Racing and hunting, madden the mind.
難 得 之 貨, 令 人 行 妨.
nan 2 de 2 zhi 1 huo 4 ling 4 ren 2 xing 2 fang 2
hard get of goods make people behavior harm
Rare goods, tempt men to do wrong.
是 以 聖 人 為 腹 不 為 目.
(shi 4 yi 3) (sheng 4 ren 2) wei 2 fu 4 bu 4 wei 2 mu 4
therefore sage for stomach not for eye
Therefore, the Sage takes care of the belly, not the eye.*33
故 去 彼 取 此.
gu 4 qu 4 bi 3 qu 3 ci 3
so abandon that take this
He prefers what is within to what is without.
第十三章 Chapter 13
寵 辱 若 驚.
chong 3 ru 4 ruo 4 jing 1
favor disgrace would surprise
Welcome disgrace as a pleasant surprise.
貴 大 患 若 身.
gui 4 da 4 huan 4 ruo 4 shen 1
afraid big calamity arrive body
Prize calamities as your own body.
何 謂 寵 辱 若 驚.
(he 2 wei 4) chong 3 ru 4 ruo 4 jing 1
what is favor disgrace would surprise
Why should we “welcome disgrace as a pleasant surprise”?
寵 為 上. 辱 為 下.
chong 3 wei 2 shang 4 ru 4 wei 2 xia 4
favor regard as above disgrace regard as below
Because a high state is a favor. A lowly state is a disgrace.
得 之 若 驚. 失 之 若 驚
de 2 zhi 1 ruo 4 jing 1 shi 1 zhi 1 ruo 4 jing 1
get it would surprise lose it would surprise
Getting it is a pleasant surprise, and so is losing it!
是 謂 寵 辱 若 驚.
(shi 4 wei 4) chong 3 ru 4 ruo 4 jing 1
so favor disgrace would surprise
That is why we should “welcome disgrace as a pleasant surprise.”
何 謂 貴 大 患 若 身.
(he 2 wei 4) gui 4 da 4 huan 4 ruo 4 shen 1
what is afraid big calamity arrive body
Why should we “prize calamities as our own body”?
吾 所 以 有 大 患 者,
wu 2 (suo 3 yi 3) you 3 da 4 (huan 4 zhe 3)
we why have big calamity
Because our body
為 吾 有 身.
wei 2 wu 2 you 3 shen 1
because we have body
is the very source of our calamities.
及 吾 無 身. 吾 有 何 患.
ji 2 wu 2 wu 2 shen 1 wu 2 you 3 he 2 huan 4
if we no body I have any calamities
If we have no body, what calamities can we have?
故 貴 以 身 為 天 下
gu 4 gui 4 yi 3 shen 1 wei 2 (tian 1 xia 4)
hence cherish dovote oneself to the world
Hence, only he who is willing to give his body for the sake of the world,
若 可 寄 天 下
ruo 4 ke 3 ji 4 (tian 1 xia)
if could commit the world
is fit to be entrusted with the world.
愛 以 身 為 天 下
she 4 le 4 sha 1 ren 2 (tian 1 xia 4)
love devote oneself to the world
Only he who can do it with love,
若 可 託 天 下
ruo 4 ke 3 tuo 1 tian 1 xia 4
if could commit the world
is worthy of being the steward of the world.
第二十三章 Chapter 23
希 言 自 然.
xi 1 yan 2 (zi 4 ran 2)
rare talk nature
Natures talk is rare and quiet.
故 飄 風 不 終 朝.
gu 4 piao 1 feng 1 bu 4 zhong 1 zhao 1
so flutter wind not all morning
For a whirlwind will not last all morning,
驟 雨 不 終 日.
zhou 4 yu 2 bu 4 zhong 1 ri 4
suddenly rain not all day
Nor does a sudden shower last all day.
孰 為 此 者？天 地.
Shu 2 wei 2 ci 2 zhe 3 tian 1 di 4
Who make this those Heaven Earth
What behaves itself like this? Heaven and Earth!*34
天 地 尚 不 能 久.
tian 1 di 4 shang 4 bu 4 neng 2 jiu 3
Heaven Earth yet not can long
Even Heaven and Earth cannot make such violence last long;
而 況 於 人 乎.
er 2 (kuang 4 yu 2) ren 2 hu 1
and much less so people ？
How much truer is it of the rash endeavours of men?*35
故 從 事 於 道 者.
gu 4 cong 2 shi 4 yu 2 dao 4 zhe 3
hense follow things in way those
Hence, those who follow the Dao,
道 者, 同 於 道.
dao 4 zhe 3 (tong 2 yu 2) dao 4
way those assimilate to way
are one with the Dao.
德 者, 同 於 德.
de 2 zhe 3 (tong 2 yu 2) de 2
virtue those assimilate to virtue
Those who follow virtue are one with virtue.
失 者, 同 於 失.
shi 1 zhe 3 (tong 2 yu 2) shi 1
abandon those assimilate to abandon
Abandon either one, and both abandon you.
同 於 道 者, 道 亦 樂 得 之.
(tong 2 yu 2) dao 4 zhe 3 dao 4 yi 4 le 4 de 2 zhi 1
assimilate to way those way also glad get those*36
Those at one with the Dao are welcomed by the Dao.
同 於 德 者. 德 亦 樂 得 之.
(tong 2 yu 2) de 2 zhe 3 de 2 yi 4 le 4 de 2 zhi 1
assimilate to virtue those virtue also glad get those
Those at one with Virtue are welcomed by virtue.
同 於 失 者, 失 亦 樂 得 之.
(tong 2 yu 2) shi 1 zhe 3 shi 1 yi 4 le 4 de 2 zhi 1
assimilate to abandon those abandon also glad get those
Those at one with abandonment are welcomed by abandonment.
信 不 足 焉, 有 不 信 焉.
xin 4 bu 4 zu 2 yan 1 you 3 bu 2 xin 4 yan 1
trust not enough ! have not trust !
Those who lack trust will not be trusted.
第二十四章 Chapter 24
企 者 不 立.
qi 4 zhe 3 bu 2 li 4
tip-toe those not stand
Those on tiptoe cannot stand.
跨 者 不 行.
kua 4 zhe 3 bu 4 xing 2
stride those not walk
Those astride cannot walk.
自 見 者 不 明.
zi 4 xian 4 zhe 3 bu 4 ming 2
self display those not shine
Those who display themselves do not shine.
自 是 者 不 彰.
zi 4 shi 4 zhe 3 bu 4 zhang 1
self right those not manifest
Those who justify themselves have no glory.
自 伐 者 無 功.
zi 4 fa 1 zhe 3 wu 2 gong 1
self boast those no merit
Those who boast have no merit.
自 矜 者 不 長.
zi 4 jin 1 zhe 3 bu 4 zhang 3
self parade those not long
Those with pride will not endure.
其 在 道 也, 曰 餘 食 贅 行.
qi 2 zai 4 dao 4 ye 3 yue 1 yu 2 shi 2 zhui 4 xing 2
these in way ! say extra food superfluous go
In Dao these things are like unwanted food and extraneous growths,
物 或 惡 之.
wu 4 huo 4 wu 4 zh 1
things some hate it
Which are loathed by all things.
故 有 道 者 不 處.
gu 4 you 3 dao 4 zhe 3 bu 4 chu3
hence have way those not dwell
Hence, followers of the Dao avoid them.
第二十五章 Chapter 25
有 物 混 成, 先 天 地 生.
You 3 wu 4 hun 4 cheng 2 xian 1 tian 1 di 4 sheng 1
have things mix become last Heaven Earth born
There was something undefined and yet complete in itself, born before Heaven-and-Earth.
寂 兮 寥 兮. 獨 立 不 改.
ji 2 xi 1 liao 2 xi 1 du 2 li 4 bu 4 gai 3
silent oh! silent oh! alone stand not change
Silent and boundless, standing alone without change,
周 行 而 不 殆.
zhou 1 xing 2 er 2 bu 4 dai 4
keep working and not stop
Yet pervading all without fail,
可 以 為 天 地 母.
(ke 2 yi 3) wei 2 (tian 1 di 4) mu 3
could be world mother
It may be regarded as the Mother of the world.*37
吾 不 知 其 名.
wu 2 bu 4 zi 1 qi 2 ming 2
I not know its name
I do not know its name,
字 之 曰 道.
zi 4 zhi 1 yue 1 dao 4
words say way
I style it “Dao.”
強 為 之 名 曰 大.
qiang 2 wei 2 zhi 1 ming 2 yue 1 da 4
strong do it name say great
And in the absence of a better word, call it “The Great.”
大 曰 逝, 逝 曰 遠. 遠 曰 反.
da 4 yue 1 shi 4 shi4 yue 1 yuan 3 yuan3 yue 1 fan 3
great say go go say far far say return
To be great is to go on, to go on is to be far, to be far is to return.
故 道 大, 天 大, 地 大, 人 亦 大.
gu 4 dao 4 da 4 tian 1 da 4 di 4 da 4 ren 2 yi 4 da 4
so way great Heaven great Earth great people also great
Hence, Dao is great, Heaven is great, Earth is great and people are also great.
域 中 有 四 大,
yu 4 zhong 1 you 3 si 4 da 4
domain inside have four great
There are four great things in the domain.
而 人 居 其 一 焉.
er 2 ren 2 ju 4 qi 2 yi 1 yan 1
thus people live they one !
Thus, the people are one of the great four in the Universe.
人 法 地. 地 法 天.
ren 2 fa 3 di 4 di 4 da 3 tian 1
people follow earth earth follow Heaven
Man follows Earth; the Earth follows Heaven.
天 法 道. 道 法 自 然.
tian 1 fa 3 dao 4 dao 4 fa 3 (zi 4 ran 2)
heaven follow way way follow nature
Heaven follows Dao; the Dao follows its own ways.
第二十六章 Chapter 26
重 為 輕 根. 靜 為 躁 君.
zhong 4 wei 2 qing 1 gen 1 jing 4 wei 2 zao 4 jun 1
heavy is light root serenity is restless master
Heaviness is the root of lightness; serenity is the master of restlessness.
是 以 聖 人 終 日
(shi 4 yi 3) (sheng 4 ren 2) zhong 1 ri 4
therefore sage all day
Therefore, the Sage, traveling all day,
行, 不 離 輜 重.
xing 2 bu 4 li 2 (zi 1 zhong 4)
go not leave baggage-wagon
Does not part with the baggage-wagon.*38
雖 有 榮 觀,
sui 1 you 3 rong 2 guan 1
though have lush sights
Though there may be gorgeous sights to see,
燕 處 超 然.
(yan 4 chu 3) (chao 1 ran 2)
dwell transcendent
He stays at ease in his own home.*39, 40
奈 何 萬 乘 之 主,
nai 4 he 2 wan 4 sheng 4 zhi 1 zhu 3
despite of 10000 chariot of lord
Why should a lord of 10000 chariots*41
而 以 身 輕 天 下.
er 2 yi 3 shen 1 qing 1 (tian 1 xia 4)
and take body light world
Display his lightness to the world?
輕 則 失 本. 躁 則 失 君
qing 1 ze 2 shi 1 ben 3 zao 4 ze 2 shi 1 jun 1
light so that lose root restless so that lose master
To be light is to be separated from one’s root, to be restless is to lose one’s self-mastery.
第二十七章 Chapter 27
善 行 無 轍 跡.
shan 4 xing 2 wu 2 zhe 4 ji 1
good walking no tracks trace
Good walking leaves no track behind it,
善 言 無 瑕 謫.
shan 4 yan 2 wu 2 xia 2 zhe 2
good words no flaw disgrace
Good speech leaves no mark to be picked at,
善 數 不 用 籌 策.
shan 4 shu 4 bu 4 youn 4 (chou 2 ce 4)
good counting not use calculating
Good calculation makes no use of counting-slips,
善 閉 無 關 揵 而 不 可 開.
shan 4 bi 4 wu 2 guan 1 jian 2 er 2 bu 4 ke 3 kai 1
good closing no bolt bar and not could open
Good shutting makes no use of bolt and bar, and yet nobody can undo it.
善 結 無 繩 約 而 不 可 解.
shan 4 jie 2 wu 2 (sheng 2 yue 1) er 2 bu 1 ke 3 jie 3
good tying no ropes but not could solve
Good tying makes no use of rope and knot, and yet nobody can untie it.
是 以 聖 人 常 善 救 人,
(shi 4 yi 3) (sheng 4 ren 2) chang 2 shan 4 jiu 4 ren 2
hence sage always good save people
Hence, the Sage is always good at saving men,
故 無 棄 人.
gu 4 wu 2 qi 4 ren 2
so not abandon people
And therefore nobody is abandoned.
常 善 救 物, 故 無 棄 物.
chang 2 shan 4 jiu 4 wu 4 gu 4 wu 2 qi 4 wu 4
always good save things so no waste things
Always good at saving things, therefore nothing is wasted.
是 謂 襲 明.
shi 4 wei 4 xi 2 ming 2
is called follow bright
This is called “following the guidance of the Inner Light.”
故 善 人 者, 不 善 人 之 師.
gu 4 shan 4 ren 2 zhe 3 bu 2 shan 4 ren 2 zhi 1 shi 1
hense good people those not good people of teacher
Hence, good men are teachers of bad men.
不 善 人 者, 善 人 之 資.
bu 2 shan 4 ren 2 zhe 3 shan 4 ren 2 zhi 1 zi 1
not good people those good people of charge
While bad men are the charge of good men.
不 貴 其 師, 不 愛 其 資.
bu 2 gui 4 qi 2 shi 1 bu 2 ai 4 qi 2 zi 1
not revere one’s teacher not cherish one’s charge
Not to revere one’s teacher, not to cherish one’s charge.
雖 智 大 迷.
sui 1 zhi 4 da 4 mi 2
though wisdom big vague
Is to be on the wrong road, however intelligent one may be.
是 謂 要 妙.
shi 4 wei 4 yao 4 miao 4
is called essential subtlety
This is an essential tenet of the Dao.
第二十八章 Chapter 28
知 其 雄, 守 其 雌,
zhi 1 qi 2 xiong 2 shou 3 qi 2 ci 2
know the masculine keep the feminine
Know the masculine. Keep to the feminine.
為 天 下 谿.
wei 2 (tian 1 xia 4) xi 1
be World brook
And be the Brook of the World.
為 天 下 谿,
wei 2 (tian 1 xia 4) xi 1
be World brook
To be the Brook of the World is.
常 德 不 離,
chang 2 de 2 bu 4 li 2
normal virtue not against
To move constantly in the path of Virtue, without swerving from it,
復 歸 於 嬰 兒.
fu 4 gui 1 yu 2 ying 1 er 2
again return at infancy
And to return again to infancy.*42
知 其 白. 守 其 黑
zhi 1 qi 2 bai 2 shou 3 qi 2 hei 1
know the white. Keep the black
Know the white. Keep to the black
為 天 下 式.
wei 2 (tian 1 xia 4) shi 4
be World pattern
And be the Pattern of the World.
為 天 下 式,
wei 2 (tian 1 xia 4) shi 4
be World pattern
To be the Pattern of the World is,
常 德 不 忒,
chang 2 de 2 bu 2 te 4
normal virtue not err
To move constantly in the path of Virtue, without erring a single step.
復 歸 於 無 極.
fu 4 gui 1 yu 2 (wu 2 ji 2)
again return to infinite
And to return again to the Infinite.
知 其 榮, 守 其 辱,
zhi 1 qi 2 rong 2 shou 3 qi 2 ru 4
know the glorious keep the lowly
Know the glorious. Keep to the lowly.
為 天 下 谷.
wei 2 (tian 1 xia 4) gu 3
be World fountain
And be the Fountain of the World.
為 天 下 谷,
wei 2 (tian 1 xia 4) gu 3
be World fountain
To be the Fountain of the World is
常 德 乃 足,
chang 2 de 2 nai 3 zu 2
normal virtue is abundant
To live the abundant life of Virtue.
復 歸 於 樸.
fu 4 gui 1 yu 2 pu 2
again return to simplicity
And to return again to Primal Simplicity.
樸 散 則 為 器.
pu 2 san 4 ze 2 wei 2 qi 4
simple diversify then become vessel
When Primal Simplicity diversifies, it becomes useful vessels.
聖 人 用 之, 則 為 官 長.
(sheng 4 ren 2) yong 4 zhi 1 ze 2 wei 2 guan 1 zhang 2
sage employ it then is official leader
Which, in the hands of the Sage, become officers.
故 大 制 不 割.
gu 4 da 4 zhi 4 bu 4 ge 1
so great tailor not cut
Hence, “a great tailor does little cutting.”
第二十九章 Chapter 29
將 欲 取 天 下 而 為 之.
jiang 1 yu 4 qu 3 (tian 1 xia 4) er 2 wei 2 zhi 1
will want take world and do it
Does anyone want to take the world and do what he wants with it?*43, 44, 45
吾 見 其 不 得 已.
wu 2 jian 4 qi 2 bu 4 de 2 yi 3
I see it not get !
I do not see how he can succeed.*46
天 下 神 器, 不 可 為 也.
(tian 1 xia 4) shen 2 qi 4 bu 4 ke 3 wei 2 ye 3
world sacred vessel not would do !
The world is a sacred vessel, which must not be tampered with or grabbed after.
為 者 敗 之. 執 者 失 之.
we 2 zhe 3 bai 4 zhi 1 zhi 2 zhe 3 shi 1 zhi1
tamper those spoil it grasp those lose it
To tamper with it is to spoil it. To grasp it is to lose it.
故 物 或 行 或 隨.
gu 4 wu 4 huo 4 xing 2 huo 4 sui 2
hense things someone go someone follow
Hense, for all things there is a time to go ahead, and a time to follow behind.*47, 48
或 歔 或 吹. 或 強 或 羸.
huo 4 xu 1 huo 4 chui 1 huo 4 qiang 2 huo 4 lei 2
someone puff someone blow someone strong someone weak
A time for slow-breathing and a time for fast-breathing.*49, 50
A time to grow in strength and a time to decay.
或 載 或 隳.
huo 4 zai 3 huo 4 hui 1
someone up someone down
A time to be up and a time to be down.*51, 52
是 以 聖 人 去 甚,
(shi 4 yi 3) (sheng 4 ren 2) qu 4 shen 4
therefore sage remove extreme
Therefore, the Sage avoids all extremes,
去 奢, 去 泰.
qu 4 she 1 qu 4 tai 4
remove excesses remove extravagance
excesses and extravagances.
第三十章 Chapter 30
以 道 佐 人 主 者,
yi 3 dao 4 zuo 3 ren 2 zhu 3 zhe 3
use way assist people human leader
He who knows how to guide a ruler in the path of Dao;
不 以 兵 強 天 下.
bu 4 yi 3 bin 1 qiang 2 (tian 1 xia 4)
not use weapon coerce the world
Does not try to override the world with force of arms.
其 事 好 還.
qi 2 shi 4 hao 3 huan 2
this thing good return
It is in the nature of a military weapon to turn against its wielder.
師 之 所 處, 荊 棘 生 焉
shi 1 zhi 1 suo 3 chu 3 (jing 1 ji 2) sheng 1 yan 1
army it place dwell thorny bushes grow !
Wherever armies are stationed, thorny bushes grow.
大 軍 之 後, 必 有 凶 年.
da 4 jun 1 (zhi 1 hou 4) huo 4 xu 1 huo 4 chui 1
great army after must have bad year
After a great war, bad years invariably follow.*53
善 者 果 而 已.
shan 4 zhe 3 guo 3 (er 2 yi 3)
good people effective only
What you want is to protect efficiently your own state
不 敢 以 取 強.
bu 4 gan 3 yi 3 qu 3 qiang 2
not dare use take aggrandizement
But not to aim at self-aggrandisement.
果 而 勿 矜.
guo 3 er 2 wu 4 jin 1
purpose but not parade
After you have attained your purpose, you must not parade your success.
果 而 勿 伐.
guo 3 er 2 wu 4 fa 2
purpose but not boast
After you have attained your purpose, you must not boast your ability.
果 而 勿 驕.
guo 3 er 2 wu 4 jiao 1
purpose but not proud
After you have attained your purpose, you must not feel proud.
果 而 不 得 已.
guo 3 er 2 bu 4 de 2 yi 3
purpose but not choice do
You must rather regret that you had not been able to prevent the war.*54
果 而 勿 強.
guo 3 er 2 wu 4 qiang 2
purpose but not force
You must never think of conquering others by force.
物 壯 則 老.
wu 1 zhuang 4 ze 2 lao 3
things strong become old
For to be over-developed is to hasten decay,
是 謂 不 道.
shi 4 wei 4 bu 2 dao 4
this called not way
And this is against Tao,
不 道 早 已.
bu 2 dao 4 zao 3 yi 3
not way soon cease
And what is against Dao will soon cease to be.
第三十一章 Chapter 31
夫 佳 兵 者 不 祥 之 器.
fu 2 jia 1 bing 1 zhe 3 bu 4 xiang 2 zhi 1 qi 4
oh! nice weapon not fortune of instrument
Fine weapons of war augur evil.
物 或 惡 之.
wu 4 huo 4 wu 4 zhi 1
things some hate them (weapon)
Even things seem to hate them.*55
故 有 道 者 不 處.
gu 4 you 3 dao 4 zhe 3 bu 4 chu 3
therefore have way those not set
Therefore, a man of Dao does not set his heart upon them.
君 子 居 則 貴 左.
(jun 1 zi 3) ju 1 ze 2 gui 4 zuo 3
gentleman live then prefer left
In ordinary life, a gentleman regards the left side as the place of honour.*56
用 兵 則 貴 右
youn 4 bing 1 ze 2 gui 4 you 4
use weapen then prefer right
In military affairs the right is the position of honor.
兵 者 不 祥 之 器
bin 1 zhe 3 bu 4 xiang 2 zhi 1 qi 4
weapon those not fortune of instrument
Since weapons are inauspicious instruments.
非 君 子 之 器
fei 1 (jun 1 zi 3) zhi 1 qi 4
not gentleman of instrument
They are not the instruments of the gentleman.
不 得 已 而 用 之
(bu 4 de 2 yi 3) er 2 youg4 zhi 1
unavoidable but use this
So he uses them without enjoyment.
恬 淡 為 上
(tian 2 dan 4) wei 2 shang 4
quiet insipid is good
They use them with calm and restraint.*57
勝 而 不 美
sheng 4 er 2 bu 4 mei 3
win but not proud
Even in victory's hour.
而 美 之 者
er 2 mei 3 zhi 1 zhe 3
but proud this those
Those for whom victory is pround.
是 樂 殺 人
she 4 le 4 sha 1 ren 2
is enjoy kill people
Are those who enjoy killing.
夫 樂 殺 人 者
fu 2 le 4 sha 1 ren 2 zhe 3
excl. enjog kill people those
If you enjoy killing.
則 不 可 得 志 於 天 下 矣
ze 2 bu 4 ke 3 de 2 zhi 4 yu 2 (tian 1 xia 4) yi
must not able get will in the world excl
You cannot gain the will of the people.
吉 事 尚 左
ji 2 shi 4 shang 4 zuo 3
auspicious things prefer left
On auspicious occasions the place of honor is on the left.
凶 事 尚 右
xiong 1 shi 4 shang 4 you 4
inauspicious things prefer right
On inauspicious occasions the place of honor is on the right.
偏 將 軍 居 左
pian 1 (jiang 1 jun 1) ju 1 zuo 3
subordinate general at left
The lieutenant commander stands on the left.
上 將 軍 居 右
shang 4 (jiang 1 jun 1) ju 1 you 4
top general at right
The commander-in-chief stands on the right.
言 以 喪 禮 處 之
yan 2 yi 3 (shang 1 li 3) chu 3 zhi 1
excl as mourning deal this
Using the funerary rites to bury them.
殺 人 之 眾
sha 1 ren 2 zhi 1 zhong 4
kill people of people
The victors
以 悲 哀 泣 之
yi 3 (bei 1 ai 1) qi 4 zhi 1
use sorrow cry this
Weep in lamentation.
戰 勝 以 喪 禮 處 之
zhan 4 sheng 4 yi 3 (sang 1 li 3) chu 3 zhi 1
war win use mourning deal this
The victors bury them with funerary rites.
第三十二章 Chapter 32
道 常 無 名, 樸, 雖 小
dao 4 chang 2 wu 2 ming 1 pu 2 sui 1 xiao 3
way always no name sapling although small
The Dao is always nameless, and even though a sapling might be small.
天 下 莫 能 臣 也
(tian 1 xia 4) mo 4 neng 2 chen 2 ye 3
the world not able subordinate excl
No one can make it be his subject.
侯 王 若 能 守 之
hou 2 wang 2 ruo 4 neng 2 shuo 3 zhi
lord king if could keep this
If rulers could embody this principle.
萬 物 將 自 賓
wan 4 wu 4 jiang 1 zi 4 bin 1
10,000 things will automatic follow
The myriad things would follow on their own.*58
天 地 相 合
(tian 1 di 4) (xiang 1 he 2)
the world accord
The world would be in perfect accord.
以 降 甘 露
yi 3 jiang 4 gan 1 lu 4
so fall sweet dew
And rain sweet dew.
民 莫 之 令 而 自 均
ming 2 mo 4 zhi 4 ling 4 er 2 zi 4 jun 1
people not this order but itself homogenize
People, unable to deal with It on its own terms, make homogenize.
始 制 有 名
shi 3 zhi 4 you 3 ming 2
start create have name
And so you have the beginning of division into names.
名 亦 既 有
ming 2 yi 4 ji 4 you 3
name also since have
Since there are already plenty of names.
夫 亦 將 知 止
fu 2 yi 4 jiang 1 zhi 1 zhi 3
excl also will know stop
You should know where to stop.
知 止 所 以 不 殆
zhi1 zhi 3 (suo 3 yi 3) bu 4 dai 4
know stop so not dangerous
Knowing where to stop, you can avoid danger.
譬 道 之 在 天 下
pi 4 dao 4 zhi 1 zai 4 (tian 1 xia 4)
as way is existence the world
The Dao's existence in the world.
猶 川 谷 之 與 江 海
you 2 chuan 1 gu 4 zhi 1 yu 2 jiang 1 hai 3
like river valley is to sea ocean
Is like valley streams running into the rivers and seas.
第三十三章 Chapter 33
知 人 者 智
zhi 1 ren 2 zhe 3 zhi 4
understand people those wise
If you understand others you are smart.
自 知 者 明
zi 4 zhi 1 zhe 3 ming 2
oneself understand those enlighten
If you understand yourself you are illuminated.
勝 人 者 有 力
sheng 4 ren 2 zhe 3 you 3 li 4
overcome people those have power
If you overcome others you are powerful.
自 勝 者 強
zhi 4 sheng 4 zhe 3 qiang 2
oneself overcome those strong
If you overcome yourself you have strength.
知 足 者 富
zhi 1 zu 2 zhe 3 fu 4
know content those rich
If you know how to be satisfied you are rich.
強 行 者 有 志
qiang 3 xing 2 zhe 3 you 3 jiu 4
persevere do those have will
If you can act with vigor, you have a will.
不 失 其 所 者 久
bu 4 shi 1 qi 2 suo 2 zhe 3 jiu 3
not lose this way those long
If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting.
死 而 不 亡 者 壽
si 3 er 2 bu 4 wang 2 zhe 3 shou 4
die but not perish those live long
If you die without loss, you are eternal.
第三十四章 Chapter 34
大 道 氾 兮
da 4 dao 4 fan 4 xi 1
big way flooding excl
The Dao is like a great flooding river.
其 可 左 右
qi 2 ke 2 zuo 3 you 4
it could be left right
It could be directed to the left or right?
萬 物 恃 之 而 生 而 不 辭
wan 4 wu 4 shi 4 zhi 1 er 2 sheng 1 er 2 bu 4 ci 2
10,000 things depend it but grow and not refuse
The myriad things rely on it for their life but do not distinguish it.*58
功 成 而 不 有
(gong 1 cheng 2) er 2 bu 4 you 3
work accomplish but not have
It brings to completion but cannot be said to exist.
衣 養 萬 物 而 不 為 主
yi 1 yang 3 wan 4 wu 4 er 2 bu 4 wei 2 zhu 3
clothe grow 10000 things but not be lord
It clothes and feeds all things without lording over them.
常 無 欲
chang 2 wu 2 yu 4
always no desire
It is always desireless,
可 名 於 小
ke 3 ming 2 yu 2 xiao 3
could name excl. small
So we call it "the small."
萬 物 歸 焉 而 不 為 主
wan 4 wu 4 gui 1 yan 1 er 2 bu 4 wei 4 zhu 3
10000 things return excl but not because of lord
The myriad things return to it and it doesn't exact lordship.
可 名 為 大
ke 3 ming 2 wei 2 da 4
could name is great
Thus it can be called "great."
以 其 終 不 自 為 大
yi 3 qi 2 zhong 1 bu 4 zi 4 wei 2 da 4
because it end not itself is great
Till the end, it does not regard itself as Great.
知 止 所 以 不 殆
zhi1 zhi 3 (suo 3 yi 3) bu 4 dai 4
know stop so not dangerous
Knowing where to stop, you can avoid danger.
故 能 成 其 大
gu 4 neng 2 cheng 2 qi 2 da 4
so could accomplish this great
Therefore it actualizes its greatness.
第三十五章 Chapter 35
執 大 象
zhi 2 da 4 xiang 4
hold great form
Holding to the Great Form.
天 下 往
(tian 1 xia 4) wang 3
the world follow
All people follow.
往 而 不 害
wang 3 er 2 bu 4 hai 4
follow and not harm
The followers are unharmed.
安 平 泰
an 1 ping 2 tai 4
safe peace tranquil
Resting in Great Peace.
樂 與 餌
yueh 4 yu 3 er 3
music and food
Great music and food.
過 客 止
guo 4 ke 4 zhi 3
passing traveler stop
The passing traveler stops.
道 之 出 口
dao 4 zhi 1 chu 1 kou 3
way of out mouth
Speaking of the Dao.
淡 乎 其 無 味
dan 4 hu 1 qi 2 wu 2 wei 4
subtle almost it no flavor
It is so subtle and almost no flavor.
視 之 不 足 見
shi 4 zhi 1 bu 4 zu 2 wen 2
see it not able see
Look at it, you cannot see it.
聽 之 不 足 聞
ting 1 zhi 1 bu 4 zu 2 wen 2
listen it not able hear
Listen, you cannot hear it.
用 之 不 足 既
yong 4 zhi 1 bu 4 zu 2 ji 4
use it not able exhaust
Use it, you cannot exhaust it.
第三十六章 Chapter 36
將 欲 歙 之
jiang 1 yu 4 xi 4 zhi 1
will want shrink it
That which will be shrunk,
必 固 張 之
bi 4 gu 4 zhang 1 zhi 1
must sure stretch it
Must first be stretched.
將 欲 弱 之
jiang 1 yu 4 ruo 4 zhi 1
will want weak it
That which will be weakened.
TO BE CONTINUED.....
道德經 Dao De Jing
Footnotes
Chapters 1-13
*1道 (Dao4): Road, path, way, doctrine
*2非常 (Fei1 chang2): Not regular, not ordinary, very
*3有名 (You3 ming2): Exist, being
*4萬物 (Wan4 wu4): All creation
*5玄之又玄 (Xuan2 zhi2 yiu4 xuan2): The mystery of mysteries
*6 天下 (Tian1 xia4): The world
*7無為 (Wu2 wei2): Non-action
*8沖 (Chong1): A cup without a handle, a vessel. Dao is different from a vessel. The value of a vessel is its practical utility, while the significance of Dao is the virtual utility; the phenomenon of Dao is vain in itself, but all-inclusive and limitless when put into practice.
*8盈 (Ying2): Used up/exhausted.
*9紛 (Fen1): Numerous. Other versions suggest: 忿 fen4: Anger
*10存 (Cun2): Other versions suggest: 湛 (Zhan4), 常(Chang2): Constantly.
*11兮 (Xi1): A particle of pause used in ancient poetry and still used in eulogies)
*12帝 (Di4): A title of reverence for some of the deities in the Taoism
*13芻狗 (Chu2 gou3): Straw-dog. The ancients tied hay into a bundle with a dog shape to offer the gods. They would be then be torn down and abandoned afterward.
*14 中 (Zhong1): Center, hollow, inaction. The 中here is not the doctrine of the mean advocated by Confucius.
*15 谷神 (Gu3 shen2) and 玄牝 (Xuan2 pin4) are both are aliases of Dao. 谷 (Gu3): Nihility, vain in itself, no form. 神 (Shen2): All inclusive, eternal.
* 16玄牝 (Xuan2 pin4): The origin of creation, though it is intangible. It has been breeding creation since the genesis of the universe. The essence of Dao is the same. It is limitless and eternal, inexhaustible, and always available for use.
*17勤 (Qin2): Other versions suggest: 覲 (Jin4).
*18者 (Zhe3): ‘The cause’ in ancient writing.
*19故能長久 (Gu4 neng2 chang2 jiou3): Other version suggest: 故能長生.
*20上善 (Shang4 shan4): A person who conform to the way of Dao.
*21盈 (Ying 2): Full to the brim. Means ‘parade.’ Like water, if one is too cocky and parades oneself they will be like water that is full to the brim and fail oneself.
*22不如 (Bu4 ru2) Would sooner; than.
*23富貴 (Fu4 gui 4): Rich, high position and powerful.
*24載 (Zai4): Common meaning is ‘carry.’ But it means ‘oh!’ in this sentence.
*25抱一 (Bao4 yi1): Keep the Dao. In Chinese old books , 道is sometimes referred to as “一”.
*26玄覽 (Xuan2 lan3): Mind or thought.
*27無為 (Wu2 wei2): Not be cruel and no penalty to citizen. Let people trust the king because of his kindness.
*28天門 (Tian1 men2): Ears are the door of sound; eyes are the door of sight; mouth is the door of flavor and speaking; nose is the door of smell. They are given by God and so are called 天門 (Heaven doors).”
*29明白 (Ming2 bai2): Bright white =Understand.
*30四達 (Si4 da2): To reach four directions = reach everywhere. Meaning ‘the Dao exists everywhere.’
*31五色 (Wu3 se4): The five senses. Five here means ‘many.’ 五音 and 五味 have the same meaning.
*32妨 (Fang2): Means ‘harm’ Treasures (desire).Harm one’s good behavior and make them not humble.
*33為腹不為目 (Wei2 fu4 bu4 wei2 mu4): Do not desire extra stuff, only desire food to survive.
Chapters 23 - 31
*34 天地 (Tian1 di4): In this sentence, it means ‘the power of nature.’
*35況 (Kuang4): Much less (or still less).
*36得 (De2):In this sentence, it means ‘get along with.’
*37可以 (Ke2 yi3): Could
*38 輜重 (Zi4 zhong4): Heavy. A cart laden with clothes and food is heavy.
*39燕處 (Yan4 chu3): Live a peaceful life.
*40超然 (Chao1 ran2): Free, transcendent.
*41萬乘 (Wan4 sheng4): Strong weapons = A strong and powerful nation.
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*42嬰兒 (Ying1 er2): Pure or natural.
*43取(Qu3): In the sentence it means ‘rule.’
*44為 (Wei2): To do against the nature and Dao.
*451之 (Zhi1): Means ‘the world’ in this sentence.
*46不得 (Bu4 de2) :Not make it, impossible.
*47物 (Wu4): In this sentence means: ‘personality.’
*48.或 (Huo4): Similar to: ‘someone’ or ‘something.’
*49歔 (Xu1): To puff, to make something warm
*50吹 (Chui1): To puff, to make something cool.
*51載 (Zai3): Get on a cart = safe
*52隳 (Hui1): Fall from a car = dangerous
*53之後 (Zhi1 hou4): After.
*54不得已 (Bu4 de2 yi3): To do something you don’t want to do, but have no other choice.
*55物 (Wu4): In this sentence means: ‘the nature of humanity.’
*56左 (Zuo3): = “陽” (yan2) = grow = peace.
*57恬淡 (Tian2 dan4): peaceful, quiet, not exciting.
*58萬 (Wan4): a lot of = myriad
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2001–2003, Taipei, Taiwan
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