Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 1. Definition of Tao

Book of the way of the virtue


Chapter 1. Definition of Tao

The Tao that can be defined is not the Eternal Tao.

Yin and Yang symbol
The Ying and Yang symbol is ineligible for copyright so it was correctly placed under public domain by maker of this copy (Commons:User:Klem). These actually exist in the nature. You just need to pay close attention, know where to look for and get really lucky.

The name that can be mentioned is not the true name of the Tao.

The Tao that was before heaven and earth is the nameless unbeing. The named being is the Mother of all beings.

This is why human seeks the First Mysterion of the unbeing when the being shows him what was born of the unbeing.

The being and the unbeing are one in all but name.

This sameness of the seeming opposites I call the Depth, the Great bottomlessness, the Open Door of Wondering.


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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