Category Archives: Tao Te Ching

Chapter 22 – Socrates If you want to become whole, first let yourself become broken. If you want to become straight, first let yourself become twisted. If you want to become full, first let yourself become empty. If you want to become new, first let yourself become old. Those whose desires are few get them,Continue reading “CHAPTER 22 – SOCRATES”

Chapter 21 – The Most Important Chapter? The all-embracing quality of the great virtue (te) follows alone from the Tao. The thing that is called Tao is eluding and vague. Vague and eluding, there is in it the form. Eluding and vague, in it are things. Deep and obscure, in it is the essence. TheContinue reading “CHAPTER 21 – THE MOST IMPORTANT CHAPTER?”

Chapter 20 – I Alone A life without cultivation has no center. All the people  are happily busying themselves  with celebration and feasting on life, taking in the sights like its springtime. I, alone, stay calm and centered with no desires like a newborn who has not yet learned to smile.  Lazy, as if IContinue reading “CHAPTER 20 – I ALONE”

Chapter 19 – Go with the Flow Banish wisdom, discard knowledge, And the people shall profit a hundredfold; Banish “humanity,” discard “justice,” And the people shall recover love of their kin; Banish cunning, discard “utility,” And the thieves and brigands shall disappear. As these three touch the externals and are inadequate, The people have needContinue reading “CHAPTER 19 – GO WITH THE FLOW”

Chapter 18 – Good and Evil When the Great Tao is forgotten, Kindness and morality appear.   When intellect and knowledge are emphasized, There is great hypocrisy in the heart. Family is no longer in harmony When there is preaching of duty and affection.  The nation is in disorder When patriotic loyalty is admired. The translationContinue reading “CHAPTER 18 – GOOD AND EVIL”

Chapter 17 – Presidential Leadership When the Master governs, the people are hardly aware that he exists. Next best is a leader who is loved. Next, one who is feared. The worst is one who is despised. If you don’t trust the people, you make them untrustworthy. The Master doesn’t talk, he acts. When hisContinue reading “CHAPTER 17 – PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP”

Chapter 16 – Like a Song Attain the utmost in Passivity, Hold firm to the basis of Quietude. The myriad things take shape and rise to activity, But I watch them fall back to their repose. Like vegetation that luxuriantly grows But returns to the root (soil) from which it springs. To return to theContinue reading “CHAPTER 16 – LIKE A SONG”

Chapter 15 – Bodhisattva The true masters of ancient times cultivated the art of the deep understanding of the subtle essence.   So deep as to be unrecognizable, we can only describe their demeanor.   Deliberate, as if crossing a frozen stream in winter.   Alert, as if faced on all sides by enemies.   Dignified, as if anContinue reading “CHAPTER 15 – BODHISATTVA”

Chapter 14 – Bullwinkle’s Magic Hat – and More Looked at, but cannot be seen – That is called the Invisible (yi). Listened to, but cannot be heard – That is called the Inaudible (hsi). Grasped at, but cannot be touched – That is called the Intangible (wei). These three elude our inquiries And henceContinue reading “CHAPTER 14 – BULLWINKLE’S MAGIC HAT – AND MORE”

Chapter 13 – Hall of Fame  Be apprehensive when receiving favor or disgrace. Regard great trouble as seriously as you regard your body. What is meant by being apprehensive when receiving favor or disgrace? Favor is considered inferior. Be apprehensive when you receive them and also be apprehensive when you lose them. This is whatContinue reading “CHAPTER 13 – HALL OF FAME”