Chapter 43 – Without Words The gentlest thing in the world overcomes the hardest thing in the world. That which has no substance enters where there is no space. This shows the value of non-action. Teaching without words, performing without actions that is the Master’s way Translation by Stephen Mitchell (1988) This is a shortContinue reading “CHAPTER 43 – WITHOUT WORDS”
Category Archives: Tao Te Ching
CHAPTER 42 – DEJA VU
Chapter 42 – Déja Vu The Tao begot one. One begot two. Two begot three. And three begot the ten thousand things. The ten thousand things carry yin and embrace yang. They achieve harmony by combining these forces. Men hate to be “orphaned,” “widowed,” or “worthless,” But this is how kings and lords describe themselves.Continue reading “CHAPTER 42 – DEJA VU”
CHAPTER 41 – IF YOU DON’T LAUGH AT THE TAO, AT LEAST LAUGH AT YOURSELF
Chapter 41 – If You Don’t Laugh at the Tao, at Least Laugh at Yourself When the highest type of men hear Tao, They diligently practice it. When the average type of men hear Tao, They half believe in it. When the lowest type of men hear Tao, They laugh heartily at it. If theyContinue reading “CHAPTER 41 – IF YOU DON’T LAUGH AT THE TAO, AT LEAST LAUGH AT YOURSELF”
CHAPTER 40 – RETURN
Chapter 40 – Return Return is the movement of the Tao. Yielding is the way of the Tao. All things are born of being. Being is born of non-being Translation by Stephen Mitchell (1988) ________________________________________________ All movements are accomplished in six stages, and the seventh brings return. Wilhelm-Baynes translation of I Ching, Chapter 24 (1950)Continue reading “CHAPTER 40 – RETURN”
CHAPTER 39 – ONE BODY
Chapter 39 – One Body Of old those that obtained the One: Heaven obtained the One and became clear. Earth obtained the One and became tranquil. The spiritual beings obtained the One and became divine. The valley obtained the One and became full. The myriad things obtained the One and lived and grew. Kings andContinue reading “CHAPTER 39 – ONE BODY”
CHAPTER 38 – OUTSIDE THE LAW
Chapter 38 – Outside the Law A truly good man is not aware of his goodness, And is therefore good. A foolish man tries to be good, And is therefore not good. A truly good man does nothing, Yet leaves nothing undone. A foolish man is always doing, Yet much remains to be done. WhenContinue reading “CHAPTER 38 – OUTSIDE THE LAW”
CHAPTER 37 – GRANDPA
Chapter 37 – Grandpa Tao never does anything but nothing is left undone. If our leaders could get in touch with Tao, the world would take care of itself. Even if they wanted to impose their own ideas, they’d be drawn back to Tao’s nameless simplicity. When our lives are that simple, we want forContinue reading “CHAPTER 37 – GRANDPA”
CHAPTER 36 – CRANE AND SNAKE
Chapter 36 – Crane and Snake If you want something to return to the source, you must first allow it to spread out. If you want something to weaken, you must first allow it to become strong. If you want something to be removed, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want toContinue reading “CHAPTER 36 – CRANE AND SNAKE”
CHAPTER 35 – TEMPORARY PLEASURES
Chapter 35 – Temporary Pleasures When you follow the path of Tao, the world of all things naturally follows. All things follow without harm and in complete peace. The worldly lure of music and cake cause people passing by to stop. The Tao has no taste, no sound and is invisible, yet its effect onContinue reading “CHAPTER 35 – TEMPORARY PLEASURES”
CHAPTER 34 – IF YOU CAN READ THIS, THANK A GREAT TEACHER
Chapter 34 – If You Can Read This, Thank a Great Teacher The great Tao flows unobstructed in every direction. All things rely on it to conceive and be born, and it does not deny even the smallest of creation. When it has accomplished great wonders, it does not claim them for itself. It nourishesContinue reading “CHAPTER 34 – IF YOU CAN READ THIS, THANK A GREAT TEACHER”
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