Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 46. Limiting lust

Chapter 46. Limiting lust

When the Tao is in the world, horses graze in the pastures.

Picture of stone statue depicting Laozi's celestial form Lao Jun
Lao Jun is the celestial form of Laozi. CC-BY-SA 4.0 by photographer and uploader G41rn8.

When the Tao has left the world, war horses are reared.

There is no bigger sin than living in lust.

There is no greater pain than being non-content.

There is nothing more unfortunate than greediness for merit.

That is why being filled with contention is eternal provision.


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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