Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 62. The practical Tao

Chapter 62. The practical Tao

Tao is the silent leader of all beings.

It enriches a good man and repels the evil-doer.

Its advice is always in rightly situated, its benevolence comes always when needed.

Even those who are not good it does not abandon.

Photograph of a sculpture in the Taoist Dai Temple. Apparently showing at least 4 faces on one being
Photograph of a sculpture in the Taoist Dai Temple at the foot of Mount Tai in Tai’an, Shandong Province, China. CC-BY-SA 3.o by artist and uploader Rolfmueller

That is why when an emperor sits on his throne and summons up aristocrats, not even the prince, who comes in front of him with medals and escorted by a cavalry, isn’t as worthy as he who in humbleness presents this Tao.

For why did the ancient ones hold Tao in such high value?

Is it not because it is open to all without great seeking and through it human was released from sin.

This is why it was considered the greatest treasure of the world.


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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