Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 3. Calming people

Chapter 3. Calming people

Envy is avoided when people are not placed apart based on merit.

Ink on silk manuscript of Tao Te King from a 200BC tomb kindly shot and placed under by
Ink on silk copy of Tao Te King from a 200BC tomb kindly shot and placed under PD by ReijiYamashina

Theft is avoided when riches are not valued.

Calm stays the mind when not looking for stimulants for the senses.

That is how the wise one rules, by freeing his heart of lusts; by giving his stomach enough satisfaction, rest for his muscles and strengthening for his bones; by protecting the world from knowledge of evil and thus its lusts and by scaring the knowers of evil from using it.

Though his non-action he acts and this is how he rules all.


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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