Tao Te Ching Written by Lao-tzu, translated by Stephen Mitchell Found at http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/%7Ephalsall/texts/taote-v3.html#27 Tao Te Ching means the Classic (Ching) of the Way (Tao) and Its Power (Te). Today it’s often written Dao De Jing. This means it is about the way of formless and unfathomable Being, and the power that following that way bestows upon an individual. It is pronounced dow duh jing. It is also known as The Lao-tzu, its mythical author’s name. Lao-tzu means Old (Lao) Master (tzu). It was probably written in the fourth or third century BCE, during the Warring States period. Numbers in parentheses cross reference poems. 1 acts without doing anything The tao that can be told and teaches without saying anything. is not the eternal Tao. Things arise and she lets them come; The name that can be named things disappear and she lets them go. is not the eternal Name. (14) She has but doesn't possess, The unnamable is the eternally real. acts but doesn't expect. When her work is done, she forgets it. NAMING is the origin That is why it lasts forever. of all particular things. 3 Free from DESIRE, you realize the mystery. (37) If you over-esteem great men, Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations. people become powerless. If you overvalue possessions, Yet mystery and manifestations people begin to steal. arise from the same source. This source is called DARKNESS. The Master leads by emptying people's minds DARKNESS within DARKNESS. and filling their cores, The gateway to all understanding. (28) by weakening their ambition and toughening their resolve. 2 He helps people lose everything When people see some things as beautiful, they know, everything they desire, other things become ugly. and creates confusion When people see some things as good, in those who think that they know. other things become bad. Practice NOT-DOING, Being and non-being create each other. and everything will fall into place. Difficult and easy support each other. Long and short define each other. 4 High and low depend on each other. The Tao is like a well: Before and after follow each other. used but never used up. (35) It is like THE ETERNAL VOID: Therefore the Master filled with infinite possibilities. Page 1 of 18 It is hidden but always present. which nourishes all things without trying to. I don't know who gave birth to it. It is content with the low places that people disdain. It is older than God. Thus it is like the Tao. 5 In dwelling, live close to the ground. The Tao doesn't take sides; In thinking, keep to the simple. it gives birth to both good and evil. (49) In conflict, be fair and generous. The Master doesn't take sides; In governing, don't TRY to control. she welcomes both saints and sinners. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. The Tao is like a bellows: it is EMPTY yet infinitely capable. When you are content to be simply yourself The more you use it, the more it produces; and don't compare or compete, the more you talk of it, the less you understand. everybody will respect you. Hold on to the CENTER. 9 Fill your bowl to the brim 6 and it will spill. The Tao is called the GREAT MOTHER: (52) Keep sharpening your knife EMPTY yet inexhaustible, and it will blunt. it gives birth to infinite worlds. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. It is always present within you. Care about people's approval You can use it any way you want. and you will be their prisoner. (15) 7 Do your work, then step back. The Tao is infinite, eternal. The only path to serenity. Why is it eternal? It was never born; 10 thus it can never die. Can you coax your mind from its wandering Why is it infinite? and keep to the original oneness? It has no desires for itself; Can you let your body become thus it is present for all beings. supple as a newborn child's? Can you cleanse your inner vision The Master stays behind; until you see nothing but the light? that is why she is ahead. Can you love people and lead them She is detached from all things; without imposing your will? that is why she is one with them. (22) Can you deal with the most vital matters Because she has let go of herself, by letting events take their course? she is perfectly fulfilled. Can you step back from you own mind and thus understand all things? 8 The supreme good is like WATER, Giving birth and nourishing, Page 2 of 18 having without possessing, What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear? acting with no expectations, Hope and fear are both phantoms leading and not trying to control: that arise from thinking of the self. this is the supreme virtue. When we don't see the self as self, what do we have to fear? 11 We join spokes together in a WHEEL, See the world as your self. but it is the CENTER HOLE (19) Have faith in the way things are. that makes the wagon move. Love the world as your self; then you can care for all things. We shape clay into a pot, but it is the EMPTINESS inside 14 that holds whatever we want. Look, and it can't be seen. Listen, and it can't be heard. We hammer wood for a house, Reach, and it can't be grasped. but it is the inner space that makes it livable. Above, it isn't bright. Below, it isn't dark. We work with being, Seamless, unnamable, but non-being is what we use. it returns to the realm of nothing. Form that includes all forms, 12 image without an image, Colors blind the eye. subtle, beyond all conception. Sounds deafen the ear. Approach it and there is no beginning; Flavors numb the taste. follow it and there is no end. Thoughts weaken the mind. YOU CAN'T KNOW IT, BUT YOU CAN BE IT, (1) Desires wither the heart. at EASE in your own life. JUST REALIZE WHERE YOU COME FROM: The Master observes the world THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF WISDOM. but trusts his inner vision. He allows things to come and go. 15 His heart is open as the sky. The ancient Masters were profound and subtle. Their wisdom was unfathomable. 13 There is no way to describe it; Success is as dangerous as failure. all we can describe is their appearance. Hope is as hollow as fear. They were careful What does it mean that success is as dangerous as as someone crossing an iced-over stream. failure? Alert as a warrior in enemy territory. Whether you go up the ladder or down it, Courteous as a guest. you position is shaky. Fluid as melting ice. When you stand with your two feet on the ground, Shapable as a block of wood. you will always keep your balance. Receptive as a valley. Page 3 of 18 Clear as a glass of water. we did it, all by ourselves!" Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? 18 Can you remain unmoving When the great Tao is forgotten, till the right action arises by itself? goodness and piety appear. When the body's intelligence declines, The Master doesn't seek fulfillment. (9) cleverness and knowledge step forth. Not seeking, not expecting, When there is no peace in the family, she is present, and can welcome all things. filial piety begins. When the country falls into chaos, 16 patriotism is born. EMPTY YOUR MIND OF ALL THOUGHTS. LET YOUR HEART BE AT PEACE. 19 WATCH THE TURMOIL OF BEINGS, Throw away holiness and wisdom, BUT CONTEMPLATE THEIR RETURN. and people will be a hundred times happier. Throw away morality and justice, Each separate being in the universe and people will do the right thing. RETURNS to the common source. (25) Throw away industry and profit, RETURNING to the source is serenity. and there won't be any thieves. If you don't realize the source, If these three aren't enough, you stumble in confusion and sorrow. just stay at the CENTER of the circle (11) When you realize where you come from, and let all things take their course. you naturally become tolerant, disinterested, amused, 20 kindhearted as a grandmother, Stop thinking, and end your problems. dignified as a king. What difference between yes and no? IMMERSED IN THE WONDER OF THE TAO, What difference between success and failure? YOU CAN DEAL WITH WHATEVER LIFE BRINGS YOU, Must you value what others value, AND WHEN DEATH COMES, YOU ARE READY. avoid what others avoid? How ridiculous! 17 When the Master governs, the people Other people are excited, are hardly aware that he exists. as though they were at a parade. Next best is a leader who is loved. I alone don't care, Next, one who is feared. I alone am expressionless, The worst is one who is despised. like an infant before it can smile. If you don't trust the people, Other people have what they need; you make them untrustworthy. I alone possess nothing. I alone drift about, The Master doesn't talk, he acts. like someone without a home.