Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 49. The virtue of concession

Chapter 49. The virtue of concession

A wise one does not have fastened opinions, which he would call his own.¹

He adjusts to other peoples thoughts.

I want to pay good with good. I also want to pay evil with good.

Virtue is virtue.

Chinese Bronze script for de ==
Chinese Bronze script for de 德 “virtue”. PD-ancient uploaded from chineseetymology.org by Keahapana.

To trust I respond with trust; likewise with trust I respond to suspicion.

Virtue is trusting.

Wise one lives in the world meekly self-controlling and his heart is full of compassion for all.

People confide in him and he considers all of them his children.


  1. Mr. Ervast: “i.e. on the level of thought (lower understanding). His whole life is executing one great ideal.”

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

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.