Category: In English

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

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

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

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

Chapter 12. Closing doors Light blinds the eyes of human. Sound deafens his ears. Taste corrupts the palate. Hunting makes man wild and treasures test him. This is why the wise man takes care of his soul and not his senses. His senses he neglects but his soul he takes with both hands.    … Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 12. Closing doors

Chapter 7. Concealing light Both heaven and earth stay a long time. What makes them so durable is their disregard of the longevity of their lives. This why they stay. So the wise man who does not care about himself is the greatest among men; even though he does not tend after himself he stays.… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 7. Concealing light

Chapter 21. Empty spring The greatest virtue is in uncomplicatedly following the Tao. Untouched and unstudyable is the Tao. Untouched, unstudyable, yet containing forms. Untouched, unstudyable, yet containing beings. Deep and dim it is, but it still has an essence, a true essence, where there is unity. It is in all beings from their start.… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 21. Empty spring