Chapter 6. The origin of beings Like the stream of the valley never dries, so the basic essence of the existing never dries. I call it the Mother-depth. The movement of the Mother-depth I call the parturient of the heaven and the earth. Forever it stays, and moves without destination¹. Mr. Ervast: “This reminds us… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 6. The origin of beings
Category: other peoples’ work
Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 5. Value of emptiness
Chapter 5. Value of emptiness Not heaven nor earth have special preference; they consider all humans and beings as holy sacrificial figures.¹ A wise one makes not differentiation; he considers all humans as beings made for holy purposes. Heavenly space is like bellows; even if it doesn’t contain anything solid, it never collapses onto itself… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 5. Value of emptiness
Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 78. Embracing the truth
Chapter 78. Embracing the truth Nothing in this world is as weak and bendable like water is, yet for breaking down the mighty there is nothing like it. There is no choice to be made here. The whole world knows that the soft can wear the hard down and that the weak wins the strong,… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 78. Embracing the truth
Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 76. The danger of power
Chapter 76. The danger of power When a human is born he is delicate and weak, when dying he is stiff and powerful. The same is with all things. Trees and sprouts in their early growth are soft and flexibile, but when they are dying they are dried up and tough. Their hardness and stiffness… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 76. The danger of power
Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 75. The evil of greed
Chapter 75. The evil of greed The people suffer hunger because those above them set heavy tax burdens on them. This is the cause of their lacking. The people are hard to govern because of the commanding nature of those who are above them. This is the source of confusion. People despise death because enduring… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 75. The evil of greed
Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 74. The mistake of governance
Chapter 74. The mistake of governance When the people don’t fear death, what use is punishment to scare them? And if they were always kept in the fear of death and I would take to all evil-doers and kill them, would I dare to do it? The great Executioner is always waiting. If someone steals… Continue reading Translation: Tao Te King – Chapter 74. The mistake of governance
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 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