Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 53. Growing of clarity

Chapter 53. Growing of clarity

Inverted Taijutu (Yin-Yang)
Inverted Taijutu (Yin-Yang) uploaded by Nyo. PD unicode U+262F ☯

Oh if I were wise enough to follow the great Tao!

The great Tao is extremely easy, but people prefer to walk complicated ways.

Governance is hard work.

Even if a house is outstandingly equipped, the fields can be full of weeds and the granaries empty.

Dressing up beautifully, carrying sharp swords, opulent eating and drinking and amassing great riches – I call this fancy theft.

That it is not of Tao is certain.

 


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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