Month: October 2016

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 27. Utility of skillfulness

Chapter 27. Utility of skillfulness A good walker does not leave dirt in his trail. A good speaker doesn’t cause debate. A good calculator doesn’t need calculating sticks. A good keeper does not need locks or bolts and no-one can open what he has closed. A good binder does not need rope and no-one can… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 27. Utility of skillfulness

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 25. Grasping emptyness

Chapter 25. Grasping emptyness Before heaven and earth there was the initial essence in the nature. It was clear, it was unmeasurable. It was self-existing, it was uniform. It was everywhere and it didn’t tolerate borders. It must be considered the omnipresent mother. I do not know its name but I call it the Tao.… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 25. Grasping emptyness

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 24. The honor that is not desirable

Chapter 24. The honor that is not desirable When standing on one’s toes one cannot stay still. Going apart from your brothers one cannot advance. Showcasing oneself one does not shine. Conceit does not earn respect. To praise oneself is not merit. The one who raises himself doesn’t stand high. These things are to the… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 24. The honor that is not desirable

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 22. Lifting the little ones

Chapter 22. Lifting the little ones The one who adjusts, he stays until the end. The one who bends is straightened. The one who empties himself is filled. The one who wears himself out is rejuvenated. The one who demotes himself is promoted.¹ The one who promotes himself is demoted. This is why the wise… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 22. Lifting the little ones

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 18. Mending

Chapter 18. Mending When the great Tao has disappeared, charity among people and duty towards one’s kin follows.¹ When wisdom is joined with honor the world is full of those who ask. When family ties are severed the children’s duties and parents’ spoiling replace them. When there is lot of arguing among the people “patriots”… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 18. Mending

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 17. Being natural

Chapter 17. Being natural In the first Age of mankind people acknowledged their rulers. In the second Age they worshipped them and flattered them. In the third Age they feared them. In the fourth Age they despised them.¹ Where there is lack of faith no trust is awoken. How careful they were in their statements!… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 17. Being natural

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 16. Going home

Chapter 16. Going home When you have emptied all from yourself stay where you are.¹ All beings blossom into harmonious activity and where do we see them return to? After flourishing for a little while everything dies down to its roots. This returning to one’s origin is called peace. It is surrendering to the necessary.… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 16. Going home

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 15. Portraying virtue

Chapter 15. Portraying virtue The ancient wise ones¹ were skillful in their knowledge of the depths. They were unmeasurable in their depth. So deep they were that I cannot raise them before the eyes of my mind. They were careful like one who is crossing flooding streams. They were mysterious like one who suspects his… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 15. Portraying virtue