Category: In English

Chapter 38. Of virtue The high virtue is not recognized as virtue and thus it is the true essence of virtue. The lower virtue has the stamp of virtue and thus lacks its essence. The high virtue comes from itself an asks for no glory. The lower virtue schemes and demands recognition. The high justice… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 38. Of virtue

Chapter 37. Of governance The Tao stays peaceful yet leaves nothing undone. If a ruler or  a king could hold on to it, all things would be made better. If in addition to this improvement lust would be evoked I would defeat it with wordless simplicity Wordless simplicity would remove the lust and peace would… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 37. Of governance

Chapter 36. Concealed consent When nature intends to remove something it surely first grows it. When it intends to weaken it first strengthens. When it intends to demote it surely promotes. When it intends to deprive it surely first adds. This is what I call the concealed consent. The silent and the weak triumphs over… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 36. Concealed consent

Chapter 33. Distinguishing virtue Wise is he who knows others. Who knows himself is enlightened. Strong is he who wins the others. Who wins himself is great. Rich is he who contends well. Who has a destination walks quickly. Who fills his place stays safe. Who dies without getting corrupted reaches immortality. Own translation from… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 33. Distinguishing virtue

Chapter 32. Rational virtue The absolute Tao has no name. Even if it is lowly in its original simplicity, the world dares not to mock it. If the king could hold it in his hand, the world would willingly submit to him. The heaven and the earth would form a pact to provide for him.… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 32. Rational virtue

Chapter 29. Idleness When a man who wants to cure the world takes it to his hand I understand there is no end to his task. Spiritual vessels cannot be formed in the world He who makes, destroys. He who grapples, loses. For it is unavoidable that if one advances another is left behind. If… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 29. Idleness

Chapter 28. Becoming a child He who being a man, stays a woman, becomes a conduit of the universe. As he is a conduit of the universe the eternal virtue never parts with him. He becomes a small child again.¹ He who has come to the light yet stays in the dimness becomes a model… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 28. Becoming a child

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

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