知其雄守其雌為天下谿為天下谿常德不離復歸於嬰兒知其白守其黑•為天下式為天下式常德不忒復歸於無極知其榮守其辱為天下谷為天下谷常德乃足復歸於樸•樸散則為器聖人用之則為官長(•)故大制不割Know your maleness, but maintain your femaleness.Serve as a stream to the world.Serving as a stream to the world,The ever-constant De will not depart,Returning you to the state of the newborn infant.Know your brightness, but maintain your darkness.Serve as an example to the world.Serving as an example to the world,The ever-constant De will not falter,Returning you to the state of the limitless.Know your honor, but maintain your disgrace.Serve as a valley to the world.Serving as a valley to the world,The ever-constant De will then be sufficient,Returning you to the state of the uncarved block.When the uncarved block is broken up, then it becomestools.When the sage uses it, then he becomes the seniorgovernment official.Therefore : the greatest cutting does not divide.Knowyourmaleness, butmaintainyourfemaleness. [his] [his]♦Serve asastreamto theworld2.♦Serving asastreamto theworld2,Theever-constantDewillnotdepart,♦Returning2youto[the state of the]newborn infant2.Knowyourbrightness, butmaintainyourdarkness. [his] [his]Serve asanexampleto theworld2.Serving asanexampleto theworld2,Theever-constantDewillnotfalter, [err]Returning2youto[the state of the]limitless2.[withouthighest]Knowyourhonor{glory}, butmaintainyourdisgraceA.[his] [his]Serve asavalleyto theworld2.Serving asavalleyto theworld2,Theever-constantDewillthenbesufficient,Returning2youto[the state of the]uncarved block.♦When theuncarved blockisbroken up,thenitbecomestools.When thesage2usesitB,thenhebecomestheseniorgovernment official. [elder]Therefore: thegreatestcuttingdoesnotdivide.C[cut&make garments]NotesA : this could possibly be interpreted by reflection with “glory” as “humbleness” or “humility”, but it means “disgrace”everywhereelseB : by using “it”, this refers to the concept of the uncarved block; but the symbol also means “them”, which would refer to the toolsC :when the uncarved block is cut, it becomes (merely) tools; when the sage cuts, things are not divided up (see #58)Cross-referencesfeminine : #6, #10, #61returning : #14, #16, #19, #20, #22, #25, #34, #40, #52,#58, #60, #64, #65, #80Deandreturning : #60, #65baby/infant/child : #10, #20, #49, #55newborn infant : #10, #20, #55serve as an example to the world : #22valley : #6, #15, #32, #39, #41, #66uncarved block : #15, #19, #32, #37, #57Chapter Twenty Nine將欲取天下而為之吾見其不得已[(•)夫]天下神器•不可為也(•)為者敗之執者失之(•)故物或行或隨或(歔)或吹或強或羸或挫或隳是以聖人去甚去奢去泰Would you take hold of the world and control it?I see you have no choice.Now : the world is a divine vessel,You can not control it (indeed!).He who acts, ruins it;He who grasps, loses it.Therefore : creatures areSometimes active, sometimes passive,Sometimes breathe heavy, sometimes breathe easy,Sometimes strong, sometimes weak,Sometimes oppressed, sometimes overthrown.Thus the sage :Removes the extremes,Removes the extravagant and wasteful,Removes the arrogance.♦Would2youtake hold oftheworld2andcontrolit? [manage,handle,administer]♦Iseeyouhave no choice3. [he]Now: theworld2is adivinevessel, [spiritual,supernatural,mystical,miraculous]Youcannotcontrolit (indeed!). [manage,handle,administer]♦He whoacts,ruinsit;♦He whograsps,losesit.Therefore:creaturesareSometimesactive,sometimes passive, [might,maybe] [might,maybe] [submissive]Sometimesbreathing heavyA,sometimesbreathing easy,B[might,maybe] [snort] [might,maybe] [puff]Sometimesstrong,sometimesweak, [might,maybe] [might,maybe]Sometimesoppressed,sometimesoverthrown.C[might,maybe] [might,maybe]♦Thus2thesage2:♦Removestheextremes,Removestheextravagant and wasteful,Removesthearrogance{exalted}.NotesA :everysource uses a different symbol here!B : it is hard to figure out what this sentence is trying to say (literally, “sometimes snort, sometimes blow” in WB); and there is no concensus from the other sources, as they use“exhale … blow”, “flatter … brag”, “breathe silently … breathe loudly”C : other than WB and HSG, every source has a different pair in this line!Cross-referencespossess or take hold of the world or nation :#48, #57, #59, #61have no choice : #30, #31he who acts, ruins it : #64he who grasps, loses it : #64creatures sometimes X…Y : #42strong : #3, #30, #33, #36, #52, #55, #67, #78weak : #3, #36, #40, #55, #76, #78Chapter Thirty以道佐人主者不以兵強天下其事好還師之所處荊棘生焉大軍之後必有凶年善者果而已•不敢以取強•果而勿矜•果而勿伐•果而勿驕•果而不得已果而勿強•物壯則老是謂不道不道早已•He who uses Dao to assist the master of the peopleDoes not use weapons or strength on the world,For his troubles would likely return –In the dwelling places of armies, thorns and brambles areproduced,And so what is left behind a great army must have a badyear.He who has virtue gets results and stops.He does not dare to take by using strength.He gets results, but never brags.Gets results, but never boasts.Gets results, but is not arrogant.Gets results, but only when he has no choice.Gets results, but never uses strength.When creatures are robust but old,This is called “not Dao”.That which is “not Dao” has an early finish.He whousesDaotoassistthemasterof thepeopleADoesnotuseweaponsorstrengthon theworld2,♦Forhistroubleswouldlikelyreturn– [be easy to,be liable to]In thedwellingplacesofarmies,thornsandbramblesareproduced,And sowhat is [left]behind[à] agreatarmymusthaveabadyear.BHe whohasvirtuegetsresultsandstops.He doesnotdaretotakebyusingstrength.He getsresults,butneverbrags. [boast]Getsresults,butneverboasts.Getsresults,butisnotarrogant{proud}.Getsresults,but[only when he]has no choice3.♦Getsresults,butneverusesstrength.♦Whencreaturesarerobustbutold,This iscalled“notDao”.[That which] is “notDao” has anearlyfinish.NotesThe last 3 lines are not in GUO; several other lines are not in GUO or the MWD’sA :presumably, an sage-like advisor to a rulerB :presumably referring to harvestsCross-referencesstrong : #3, #29, #33, #36, #52, #55, #67, #78boastandbrag : #22, #24have no choice : #29, #31when creatures are robust but old : #55“not Dao” has an early finish : #55Chapter Thirty One
知其雄守其雌為天下谿為天下谿常德不離復歸於嬰兒知其白守其黑•為天下式為天下式常德不忒復歸於無極知其榮守其辱為天下谷為天下谷常德乃足復歸於樸•樸散則為器聖人用之則為官長(•)故大制不割Know your maleness, but maintain your femaleness.Serve as a stream to the world.Serving as a stream to the world,The ever-constant De will not depart,Returning you to the state of the newborn infant.Know your brightness, but maintain your darkness.Serve as an example to the world.Serving as an example to the world,The ever-constant De will not falter,Returning you to the state of the limitless.Know your honor, but maintain your disgrace.Serve as a valley to the world.Serving as a valley to the world,The ever-constant De will then be sufficient,Returning you to the state of the uncarved block.When the uncarved block is broken up, then it becomestools.When the sage uses it, then he becomes the seniorgovernment official.Therefore : the greatest cutting does not divide.Knowyourmaleness, butmaintainyourfemaleness. [his] [his]♦Serve asastreamto theworld2.♦Serving asastreamto theworld2,Theever-constantDewillnotdepart,♦Returning2youto[the state of the]newborn infant2.Knowyourbrightness, butmaintainyourdarkness. [his] [his]Serve asanexampleto theworld2.Serving asanexampleto theworld2,Theever-constantDewillnotfalter, [err]Returning2youto[the state of the]limitless2.[withouthighest]Knowyourhonor{glory}, butmaintainyourdisgraceA.[his] [his]Serve asavalleyto theworld2.Serving asavalleyto theworld2,Theever-constantDewillthenbesufficient,Returning2youto[the state of the]uncarved block.♦When theuncarved blockisbroken up,thenitbecomestools.When thesage2usesitB,thenhebecomestheseniorgovernment official. [elder]Therefore: thegreatestcuttingdoesnotdivide.C[cut&make garments]NotesA : this could possibly be interpreted by reflection with “glory” as “humbleness” or “humility”, but it means “disgrace”everywhereelseB : by using “it”, this refers to the concept of the uncarved block; but the symbol also means “them”, which would refer to the toolsC :when the uncarved block is cut, it becomes (merely) tools; when the sage cuts, things are not divided up (see #58)Cross-referencesfeminine : #6, #10, #61returning : #14, #16, #19, #20, #22, #25, #34, #40, #52,#58, #60, #64, #65, #80Deandreturning : #60, #65baby/infant/child : #10, #20, #49, #55newborn infant : #10, #20, #55serve as an example to the world : #22valley : #6, #15, #32, #39, #41, #66uncarved block : #15, #19, #32, #37, #57
知其雄守其雌
為天下谿
為天下谿
常德不離
復歸於嬰兒
知其白守其黑•
為天下式
為天下式
常德不忒
復歸於無極
知其榮守其辱
為天下谷
為天下谷
常德乃足
復歸於樸•
樸散則為器
聖人用之則為官長
(•)故大制不割
Know your maleness, but maintain your femaleness.
Serve as a stream to the world.
Serving as a stream to the world,
The ever-constant De will not depart,
Returning you to the state of the newborn infant.
Know your brightness, but maintain your darkness.
Serve as an example to the world.
Serving as an example to the world,
The ever-constant De will not falter,
Returning you to the state of the limitless.
Know your honor, but maintain your disgrace.
Serve as a valley to the world.
Serving as a valley to the world,
The ever-constant De will then be sufficient,
Returning you to the state of the uncarved block.
When the uncarved block is broken up, then it becomes
tools.
When the sage uses it, then he becomes the senior
government official.
Therefore : the greatest cutting does not divide.
Knowyourmaleness, butmaintainyourfemaleness. [his] [his]
♦Serve asastreamto theworld2.
♦Serving asastreamto theworld2,
Theever-constantDewillnotdepart,
♦Returning2youto[the state of the]newborn infant2.
Knowyourbrightness, butmaintainyourdarkness. [his] [his]
Serve asanexampleto theworld2.
Serving asanexampleto theworld2,
Theever-constantDewillnotfalter, [err]
Returning2youto[the state of the]limitless2.
[withouthighest]
Knowyourhonor{glory}, butmaintainyourdisgraceA.
[his] [his]
Serve asavalleyto theworld2.
Serving asavalleyto theworld2,
Theever-constantDewillthenbesufficient,
Returning2youto[the state of the]uncarved block.
♦When theuncarved blockisbroken up,thenitbecomes
tools.
When thesage2usesitB,thenhebecomesthesenior
government official. [elder]
Therefore: thegreatestcuttingdoesnotdivide.C[cut&make garments]
Notes
A : this could possibly be interpreted by reflection with “glory” as “humbleness” or “humility”, but it means “disgrace”everywhereelse
B : by using “it”, this refers to the concept of the uncarved block; but the symbol also means “them”, which would refer to the tools
C :when the uncarved block is cut, it becomes (merely) tools; when the sage cuts, things are not divided up (see #58)
Cross-references
feminine : #6, #10, #61
returning : #14, #16, #19, #20, #22, #25, #34, #40, #52,
#58, #60, #64, #65, #80
Deandreturning : #60, #65
baby/infant/child : #10, #20, #49, #55
newborn infant : #10, #20, #55
serve as an example to the world : #22
valley : #6, #15, #32, #39, #41, #66
uncarved block : #15, #19, #32, #37, #57
Chapter Twenty Nine
將欲取天下而為之吾見其不得已[(•)夫]天下神器•不可為也(•)為者敗之執者失之(•)故物或行或隨或(歔)或吹或強或羸或挫或隳是以聖人去甚去奢去泰Would you take hold of the world and control it?I see you have no choice.Now : the world is a divine vessel,You can not control it (indeed!).He who acts, ruins it;He who grasps, loses it.Therefore : creatures areSometimes active, sometimes passive,Sometimes breathe heavy, sometimes breathe easy,Sometimes strong, sometimes weak,Sometimes oppressed, sometimes overthrown.Thus the sage :Removes the extremes,Removes the extravagant and wasteful,Removes the arrogance.♦Would2youtake hold oftheworld2andcontrolit? [manage,handle,administer]♦Iseeyouhave no choice3. [he]Now: theworld2is adivinevessel, [spiritual,supernatural,mystical,miraculous]Youcannotcontrolit (indeed!). [manage,handle,administer]♦He whoacts,ruinsit;♦He whograsps,losesit.Therefore:creaturesareSometimesactive,sometimes passive, [might,maybe] [might,maybe] [submissive]Sometimesbreathing heavyA,sometimesbreathing easy,B[might,maybe] [snort] [might,maybe] [puff]Sometimesstrong,sometimesweak, [might,maybe] [might,maybe]Sometimesoppressed,sometimesoverthrown.C[might,maybe] [might,maybe]♦Thus2thesage2:♦Removestheextremes,Removestheextravagant and wasteful,Removesthearrogance{exalted}.NotesA :everysource uses a different symbol here!B : it is hard to figure out what this sentence is trying to say (literally, “sometimes snort, sometimes blow” in WB); and there is no concensus from the other sources, as they use“exhale … blow”, “flatter … brag”, “breathe silently … breathe loudly”C : other than WB and HSG, every source has a different pair in this line!Cross-referencespossess or take hold of the world or nation :#48, #57, #59, #61have no choice : #30, #31he who acts, ruins it : #64he who grasps, loses it : #64creatures sometimes X…Y : #42strong : #3, #30, #33, #36, #52, #55, #67, #78weak : #3, #36, #40, #55, #76, #78
將欲取天下而為之
吾見其不得已
[(•)夫]天下神器•
不可為也(•)
為者敗之
執者失之
(•)故物
或行或隨
或(歔)或吹
或強或羸
或挫或隳
是以聖人
去甚
去奢
去泰
Would you take hold of the world and control it?
I see you have no choice.
Now : the world is a divine vessel,
You can not control it (indeed!).
He who acts, ruins it;
He who grasps, loses it.
Therefore : creatures are
Sometimes active, sometimes passive,
Sometimes breathe heavy, sometimes breathe easy,
Sometimes strong, sometimes weak,
Sometimes oppressed, sometimes overthrown.
Thus the sage :
Removes the extremes,
Removes the extravagant and wasteful,
Removes the arrogance.
♦Would2youtake hold oftheworld2andcontrolit? [manage,handle,administer]
♦Iseeyouhave no choice3. [he]
Now: theworld2is adivinevessel, [spiritual,supernatural,mystical,miraculous]
Youcannotcontrolit (indeed!). [manage,handle,administer]
♦He whoacts,ruinsit;
♦He whograsps,losesit.
Therefore:creaturesare
Sometimesactive,sometimes passive, [might,maybe] [might,maybe] [submissive]
Sometimesbreathing heavyA,sometimesbreathing easy,B[might,maybe] [snort] [might,maybe] [puff]
Sometimesstrong,sometimesweak, [might,maybe] [might,maybe]
Sometimesoppressed,sometimesoverthrown.C[might,maybe] [might,maybe]
♦Thus2thesage2:
♦Removestheextremes,
Removestheextravagant and wasteful,
Removesthearrogance{exalted}.
Notes
A :everysource uses a different symbol here!
B : it is hard to figure out what this sentence is trying to say (literally, “sometimes snort, sometimes blow” in WB); and there is no concensus from the other sources, as they use
“exhale … blow”, “flatter … brag”, “breathe silently … breathe loudly”
C : other than WB and HSG, every source has a different pair in this line!
Cross-references
possess or take hold of the world or nation :
#48, #57, #59, #61
have no choice : #30, #31
he who acts, ruins it : #64
he who grasps, loses it : #64
creatures sometimes X…Y : #42
strong : #3, #30, #33, #36, #52, #55, #67, #78
weak : #3, #36, #40, #55, #76, #78
Chapter Thirty
以道佐人主者不以兵強天下其事好還師之所處荊棘生焉大軍之後必有凶年善者果而已•不敢以取強•果而勿矜•果而勿伐•果而勿驕•果而不得已果而勿強•物壯則老是謂不道不道早已•He who uses Dao to assist the master of the peopleDoes not use weapons or strength on the world,For his troubles would likely return –In the dwelling places of armies, thorns and brambles areproduced,And so what is left behind a great army must have a badyear.He who has virtue gets results and stops.He does not dare to take by using strength.He gets results, but never brags.Gets results, but never boasts.Gets results, but is not arrogant.Gets results, but only when he has no choice.Gets results, but never uses strength.When creatures are robust but old,This is called “not Dao”.That which is “not Dao” has an early finish.He whousesDaotoassistthemasterof thepeopleADoesnotuseweaponsorstrengthon theworld2,♦Forhistroubleswouldlikelyreturn– [be easy to,be liable to]In thedwellingplacesofarmies,thornsandbramblesareproduced,And sowhat is [left]behind[à] agreatarmymusthaveabadyear.BHe whohasvirtuegetsresultsandstops.He doesnotdaretotakebyusingstrength.He getsresults,butneverbrags. [boast]Getsresults,butneverboasts.Getsresults,butisnotarrogant{proud}.Getsresults,but[only when he]has no choice3.♦Getsresults,butneverusesstrength.♦Whencreaturesarerobustbutold,This iscalled“notDao”.[That which] is “notDao” has anearlyfinish.NotesThe last 3 lines are not in GUO; several other lines are not in GUO or the MWD’sA :presumably, an sage-like advisor to a rulerB :presumably referring to harvestsCross-referencesstrong : #3, #29, #33, #36, #52, #55, #67, #78boastandbrag : #22, #24have no choice : #29, #31when creatures are robust but old : #55“not Dao” has an early finish : #55
以道佐人主者
不以兵強天下
其事好還
師之所處荊棘生
焉大軍之後必有凶年
善者果而已•
不敢以取強•
果而勿矜•
果而勿伐•
果而勿驕•
果而不得已
果而勿強•
物壯則老
是謂不道
不道早已•
He who uses Dao to assist the master of the people
Does not use weapons or strength on the world,
For his troubles would likely return –
In the dwelling places of armies, thorns and brambles are
produced,
And so what is left behind a great army must have a bad
year.
He who has virtue gets results and stops.
He does not dare to take by using strength.
He gets results, but never brags.
Gets results, but never boasts.
Gets results, but is not arrogant.
Gets results, but only when he has no choice.
Gets results, but never uses strength.
When creatures are robust but old,
This is called “not Dao”.
That which is “not Dao” has an early finish.
He whousesDaotoassistthemasterof thepeopleA
Doesnotuseweaponsorstrengthon theworld2,
♦Forhistroubleswouldlikelyreturn– [be easy to,be liable to]
In thedwellingplacesofarmies,thornsandbramblesare
produced,
And sowhat is [left]behind[à] agreatarmymusthavea
badyear.B
He whohasvirtuegetsresultsandstops.
He doesnotdaretotakebyusingstrength.
He getsresults,butneverbrags. [boast]
Getsresults,butneverboasts.
Getsresults,butisnotarrogant{proud}.
Getsresults,but[only when he]has no choice3.
♦Getsresults,butneverusesstrength.
♦Whencreaturesarerobustbutold,
This iscalled“notDao”.
[That which] is “notDao” has anearlyfinish.
Notes
The last 3 lines are not in GUO; several other lines are not in GUO or the MWD’s
A :presumably, an sage-like advisor to a ruler
B :presumably referring to harvests
Cross-references
strong : #3, #29, #33, #36, #52, #55, #67, #78
boastandbrag : #22, #24
have no choice : #29, #31
when creatures are robust but old : #55
“not Dao” has an early finish : #55
Chapter Thirty One