Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 21. Empty spring

Chapter 21. Empty spring

The greatest virtue is in uncomplicatedly following the Tao.

Picture of a hot spring in India.
Empty? Placed under CC-BY-3.0 by artist Babulbaishya

Untouched and unstudyable is the Tao.

Untouched, unstudyable, yet containing forms.

Untouched, unstudyable, yet containing beings.

Deep and dim it is, but it still has an essence, a true essence, where there is unity.

It is in all beings from their start.

How do I know the origin of beings?

I know through the Tao.


Own translation from 1925 Finnish translation by Pekka Ervast (ISBN 951-8995-01-X) with kind permission of Ruusu-Ristin Kirjallisuusseura ry.

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