Month: November 2016

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 73. Freedom of action

Chapter 73. Freedom of action Whose bravery manifests itself in defiance, he will be in the hands of death. Whose bravery shows itself in self control, he stays. Thus there are two kinds of bravery, one is unlucky and the other is beneficial. But who can say why one of them receives the damnation of… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 73. Freedom of action

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 72. Loving yourself

Chapter 72. Loving yourself When the people don’t have correct fear for the current dangers, they plunge forward into even worse dangers¹. Let them be cautious, that they don’t expand their house tired of the current state of things. If they don’t despise it, no such weariness is born. This is why the wise one,… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 72. Loving yourself

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 70. The difficulty of becoming known

Chapter 70. The difficulty of becoming known Easy are my words to learn and easy they are to put into practice. Yet no-one can understand or enact them into practice. For in my words is a distant origin and in my actions the highly law. Those who do not know it, don’t know me either.… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 70. The difficulty of becoming known

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 69. Using the highly virtue

Chapter 69. Using the highly virtue A great soldier has said “I don’t dare to be the master but would much rather be guest (i.e. I don’t want to give the call to battle but rather answer it.) I don’t want to advance an inch but would rather retreat a foot.” This is what I… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 69. Using the highly virtue

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 68. Imitating the heaven

Chapter 68. Imitating the heaven Who commands well, is not forceful. Who fights well, is not angry. The best of the winners does not brag war. Of the masters the best one leads his servants by lowering himself. This is the virtue of non-arguing. This is the virtue of assurance. This is imitation of the… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 68. Imitating the heaven

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 67. Three precious things

Chapter 67. Three precious things The whole world acknowledges, that even if my taoism is great, it is not sufficient. Its greatness makes it look inadequate. If it were like the others it would have been found inadequate ages ago. But I hold on to three precious things, which I also practice. First one is… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 67. Three precious things

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 66. Placing yourself last

Chapter 66. Placing yourself last The great streams and rivers receive tax from all rivers and streams through their lowliness: this is the reason for their greatness. That is why a wise one wanting to rule the people talks of himself as lower than them; and wanting to be able he sets himself back-most. Thus… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 66. Placing yourself last

Translation: Tao Te King: Chapter 65 – Simple virtue

Chapter 65 – The simple virtue The ancient ones who put the Tao into use, did not use it to make the people posh, but to make them simple and natural. The difficulty of governing is due to too much statecraft. He who tries to rule the kingdom with statecraft is only a menace to… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King: Chapter 65 – Simple virtue

Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 64. Caring for the lowly ones

Chapter 64. Caring for the lowly ones What is quiet is easily held on to. What is expected is easily avoidable. What is fragile is easily broken. What is small breaks quickly. Do your chores before they take on a form¹. Arrange things before confusion starts. A tree that is as wide as your arms… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 64. Caring for the lowly ones