天下有始以為天下母既得其母以知其子既知其子復守其母沒身不殆•塞其兌閉其門終身不勤開其兌濟其事終身不救•見小曰明守柔曰強用其光復歸其明無遺身殃是謂習常The world had a beginning,Which can be considered the mother of the world.Once you have realized its mother,You thus know her children.Once you know her children,Return to and maintain their mother.When the self disappears, there can be no danger.Block your senses, close your gateway –All your life you will not struggle.Open your senses, be successful in your duties –All your life you will not have relief.Seeing the insignificant speaks of insight.Maintaining softness speaks of strength.Use your brightness to return to your insight.Do not lose your self in misfortune.This is called practicing the ever-constant.♦Theworld2hadabeginning,♦Which can beconsidered2themotherof theworld2.♦Onceyou haverealizeditsmother, [now that] [gained,gotten]♦Youthusknowherchildren.♦Onceyouknowherchildren, [now that]♦Returnto andmaintaintheirmother.♦When theselfdisappears, there can benodanger.Blockyoursenses°,closeyourgateway– [his] [his]♦All your lifeyou willnotstruggle. [lifelong2] [diligent,hard work]Openyoursenses°, besuccessfulinyourduties– [his] [his]All your lifeyou willnothaverelief. [lifelong2]♦Seeingtheinsignificantspeaks ofinsight.[wise,sight]♦Maintainingsoftnessspeaks ofstrength.♦Useyourbrightnesstoreturn2toyourinsight. [his] [his][wise,sight]Donotloseyourselfinmisfortune.This iscalledpracticingtheever-constant.ANotesA : while this could also be translated asThis iscalledtheever-constantpracticethe symbol for “practice” is instead “follow” in FY and MWD/A; since “the ever-constant following” doesn’t make since, the line is translated this wayCross-referencesmother : #1, #20, #25, #59mother of the world : #25self : #7, #9, #13, #16, #26, #44, #54, #66no danger : #16, #25, #32, #44when the self disappears, there can be no danger : #16gateway : #1, #6, #10, #56block your senses, close your gateway : #56returning : #14, #16, #19, #20, #22, #25, #28, #34, #40,#58, #60, #64, #65, #80soft : #10, #36, #43, #55, #76, #78strong : #3, #29, #30, #33, #36, #55, #67, #78Chapter Fifty Three•使我介然有知•行於大道唯迤是畏大道甚夷•而民好徑•朝甚除•田甚蕪•倉甚虛服文綵帶利劍厭飲食•財貨有餘是謂盜夸非道也哉(•)If I correctly use the tiniest bit of knowledge that I possessWhile travelling on the great Way,It is only walking off the path that I need to fear.The great Way is extremely even,But the citizens are fond of side paths.Although the royal court is very well-kept,The fields are very overgrown with weeds,The granaries are very empty.While at the court they wear refined multicolored silks,Carry sharp swords,Stuff themselves with drink and food,And have an excess of wealth and goods.This is called robbery and extravagance,Not Dao, indeed!!IfIcorrectlyusethetiniestbit ofknowledgethat Ipossess♦WhiletravellingonthegreatWay,It isonlywalking off the paththat I need tofear.♦ThegreatWayisextremelyeven,AButthecitizensarefond of[side]paths.♦[Although] theroyal courtisverywell-kept,[remove,wipe outàclean]♦Thefieldsareveryovergrown with weeds,♦Thegranariesareveryempty.[While at the court] theywearrefined{formal}multicolored silks,♦Carrysharpswords,Stuffthemselves withdrinkandfood, [satiate,satisfy]♦Andhaveanexcessofwealthandgoods.This iscalledrobberyBandextravagance,♦NotDao,indeed!!NotesA : compare to #41, where “smooth Dao seems knotted”B: a play on words, since盜(robbery) is also pronounced “dao”Cross-referencesgreat Dao : #18, #34Chapter Fifty Four善建者不拔善抱者不脫子孫以祭祀不輟修之__身其德乃(眞)修之__家其德乃餘修之__鄉其德乃長修之__國其德乃豐修之__天下其德乃普(•)故以身觀身以家觀家以鄉觀鄉以國觀國以天下觀天下吾何以知天下然哉(•)以此That which is well established is not uprooted.That which is well embraced is not abandoned.Thus children and grandchildren offer sacrifices, and sosacrifices do not stop.Cultivate it in the self – your De will then be true and real.Cultivate it in the family – its De will then be more thanenough.Cultivate it in the village – its De will then last forever.Cultivate it in the nation – its De will then be abundant.Cultivate it in the world – its De will then be everywhere.Therefore : use your self to contemplate the self.Use your family to contemplate the family.Use your village to contemplate the village.Use your nation to contemplate the nation.Use the world to contemplate the world.How do I thus know the world is like this?By means of this.♦That whichiswellestablishedisnotuprooted. [skillfully]♦That whichiswellembracedisnotabandoned. [skillfully]Thuschildrenandgrandchildrenoffersacrifices, [and so]sacrificesdonotstop.A♦CultivateitBin theself–yourDewillthenbetrue and real. [his]Cultivateitin thefamily–itsDewillthenbemore thanenough. [surplus,excess]♦Cultivateitin thevillage –itsDewillthenlastforever.Cultivateitin thenation–itsDewillthenbeabundant.Cultivateitin theworld2–itsDewillthenbeeverywhere.Therefore:use[your]selftocontemplateCtheself. [observe]♦Use[your]familytocontemplatethefamily. [observe]Use[your]villagetocontemplatethevillage. [observe]♦Use[your]nationtocontemplatethenation. [observe]♦Usetheworld2tocontemplatetheworld2. [observe]♦HowdoIthusknowtheworld2islike this?♦By means ofthisD.NotesA :this line seems to merely be a “for example”; the main point of the first two lines then continues with the “cultivate” linesB :presumably, De; but the original Chinese just says “it”, so you decide!C : while the common meaning of this symbol is “observe” (as used elsewhere), here it is taken to mean to contemplate or meditate upon, with the connotation of examining a concept in order to see things as they really areD :“this” could be referring to contemplating the previous things, or just observing the world in front of you, or to the teachings of the DDJ, or to something else – you decide!Cross-referencesself : #7, #9, #13, #16, #26, #44, #52, #66how do I thus know… : #21, #57by means of this : #21, #57Chapter Fifty Five
天下有始以為天下母既得其母以知其子既知其子復守其母沒身不殆•塞其兌閉其門終身不勤開其兌濟其事終身不救•見小曰明守柔曰強用其光復歸其明無遺身殃是謂習常The world had a beginning,Which can be considered the mother of the world.Once you have realized its mother,You thus know her children.Once you know her children,Return to and maintain their mother.When the self disappears, there can be no danger.Block your senses, close your gateway –All your life you will not struggle.Open your senses, be successful in your duties –All your life you will not have relief.Seeing the insignificant speaks of insight.Maintaining softness speaks of strength.Use your brightness to return to your insight.Do not lose your self in misfortune.This is called practicing the ever-constant.♦Theworld2hadabeginning,♦Which can beconsidered2themotherof theworld2.♦Onceyou haverealizeditsmother, [now that] [gained,gotten]♦Youthusknowherchildren.♦Onceyouknowherchildren, [now that]♦Returnto andmaintaintheirmother.♦When theselfdisappears, there can benodanger.Blockyoursenses°,closeyourgateway– [his] [his]♦All your lifeyou willnotstruggle. [lifelong2] [diligent,hard work]Openyoursenses°, besuccessfulinyourduties– [his] [his]All your lifeyou willnothaverelief. [lifelong2]♦Seeingtheinsignificantspeaks ofinsight.[wise,sight]♦Maintainingsoftnessspeaks ofstrength.♦Useyourbrightnesstoreturn2toyourinsight. [his] [his][wise,sight]Donotloseyourselfinmisfortune.This iscalledpracticingtheever-constant.ANotesA : while this could also be translated asThis iscalledtheever-constantpracticethe symbol for “practice” is instead “follow” in FY and MWD/A; since “the ever-constant following” doesn’t make since, the line is translated this wayCross-referencesmother : #1, #20, #25, #59mother of the world : #25self : #7, #9, #13, #16, #26, #44, #54, #66no danger : #16, #25, #32, #44when the self disappears, there can be no danger : #16gateway : #1, #6, #10, #56block your senses, close your gateway : #56returning : #14, #16, #19, #20, #22, #25, #28, #34, #40,#58, #60, #64, #65, #80soft : #10, #36, #43, #55, #76, #78strong : #3, #29, #30, #33, #36, #55, #67, #78
天下有始
以為天下母
既得其母
以知其子
既知其子
復守其母
沒身不殆•
塞其兌閉其門
終身不勤
開其兌濟其事
終身不救•
見小曰明
守柔曰強
用其光復歸其明
無遺身殃
是謂習常
The world had a beginning,
Which can be considered the mother of the world.
Once you have realized its mother,
You thus know her children.
Once you know her children,
Return to and maintain their mother.
When the self disappears, there can be no danger.
Block your senses, close your gateway –
All your life you will not struggle.
Open your senses, be successful in your duties –
All your life you will not have relief.
Seeing the insignificant speaks of insight.
Maintaining softness speaks of strength.
Use your brightness to return to your insight.
Do not lose your self in misfortune.
This is called practicing the ever-constant.
♦Theworld2hadabeginning,
♦Which can beconsidered2themotherof theworld2.
♦Onceyou haverealizeditsmother, [now that] [gained,gotten]
♦Youthusknowherchildren.
♦Onceyouknowherchildren, [now that]
♦Returnto andmaintaintheirmother.
♦When theselfdisappears, there can benodanger.
Blockyoursenses°,closeyourgateway– [his] [his]
♦All your lifeyou willnotstruggle. [lifelong2] [diligent,hard work]
Openyoursenses°, besuccessfulinyourduties– [his] [his]
All your lifeyou willnothaverelief. [lifelong2]
♦Seeingtheinsignificantspeaks ofinsight.[wise,sight]
♦Maintainingsoftnessspeaks ofstrength.
♦Useyourbrightnesstoreturn2toyourinsight. [his] [his][wise,sight]
Donotloseyourselfinmisfortune.
This iscalledpracticingtheever-constant.A
Notes
A : while this could also be translated as
This iscalledtheever-constantpractice
the symbol for “practice” is instead “follow” in FY and MWD/A; since “the ever-constant following” doesn’t make since, the line is translated this way
Cross-references
mother : #1, #20, #25, #59
mother of the world : #25
self : #7, #9, #13, #16, #26, #44, #54, #66
no danger : #16, #25, #32, #44
when the self disappears, there can be no danger : #16
gateway : #1, #6, #10, #56
block your senses, close your gateway : #56
returning : #14, #16, #19, #20, #22, #25, #28, #34, #40,
#58, #60, #64, #65, #80
soft : #10, #36, #43, #55, #76, #78
strong : #3, #29, #30, #33, #36, #55, #67, #78
Chapter Fifty Three
•使我介然有知•行於大道唯迤是畏大道甚夷•而民好徑•朝甚除•田甚蕪•倉甚虛服文綵帶利劍厭飲食•財貨有餘是謂盜夸非道也哉(•)If I correctly use the tiniest bit of knowledge that I possessWhile travelling on the great Way,It is only walking off the path that I need to fear.The great Way is extremely even,But the citizens are fond of side paths.Although the royal court is very well-kept,The fields are very overgrown with weeds,The granaries are very empty.While at the court they wear refined multicolored silks,Carry sharp swords,Stuff themselves with drink and food,And have an excess of wealth and goods.This is called robbery and extravagance,Not Dao, indeed!!IfIcorrectlyusethetiniestbit ofknowledgethat Ipossess♦WhiletravellingonthegreatWay,It isonlywalking off the paththat I need tofear.♦ThegreatWayisextremelyeven,AButthecitizensarefond of[side]paths.♦[Although] theroyal courtisverywell-kept,[remove,wipe outàclean]♦Thefieldsareveryovergrown with weeds,♦Thegranariesareveryempty.[While at the court] theywearrefined{formal}multicolored silks,♦Carrysharpswords,Stuffthemselves withdrinkandfood, [satiate,satisfy]♦Andhaveanexcessofwealthandgoods.This iscalledrobberyBandextravagance,♦NotDao,indeed!!NotesA : compare to #41, where “smooth Dao seems knotted”B: a play on words, since盜(robbery) is also pronounced “dao”Cross-referencesgreat Dao : #18, #34
•使我介然有知•
行於大道
唯迤是畏
大道甚夷•
而民好徑•
朝甚除•
田甚蕪•
倉甚虛
服文綵
帶利劍
厭飲食•
財貨有餘
是謂盜夸
非道也哉(•)
If I correctly use the tiniest bit of knowledge that I possess
While travelling on the great Way,
It is only walking off the path that I need to fear.
The great Way is extremely even,
But the citizens are fond of side paths.
Although the royal court is very well-kept,
The fields are very overgrown with weeds,
The granaries are very empty.
While at the court they wear refined multicolored silks,
Carry sharp swords,
Stuff themselves with drink and food,
And have an excess of wealth and goods.
This is called robbery and extravagance,
Not Dao, indeed!!
IfIcorrectlyusethetiniestbit ofknowledgethat Ipossess
♦WhiletravellingonthegreatWay,
It isonlywalking off the paththat I need tofear.
♦ThegreatWayisextremelyeven,A
Butthecitizensarefond of[side]paths.
♦[Although] theroyal courtisverywell-kept,
[remove,wipe outàclean]
♦Thefieldsareveryovergrown with weeds,
♦Thegranariesareveryempty.
[While at the court] theywearrefined{formal}
multicolored silks,
♦Carrysharpswords,
Stuffthemselves withdrinkandfood, [satiate,satisfy]
♦Andhaveanexcessofwealthandgoods.
This iscalledrobberyBandextravagance,
♦NotDao,indeed!!
Notes
A : compare to #41, where “smooth Dao seems knotted”
B: a play on words, since盜(robbery) is also pronounced “dao”
Cross-references
great Dao : #18, #34
Chapter Fifty Four
善建者不拔善抱者不脫子孫以祭祀不輟修之__身其德乃(眞)修之__家其德乃餘修之__鄉其德乃長修之__國其德乃豐修之__天下其德乃普(•)故以身觀身以家觀家以鄉觀鄉以國觀國以天下觀天下吾何以知天下然哉(•)以此That which is well established is not uprooted.That which is well embraced is not abandoned.Thus children and grandchildren offer sacrifices, and sosacrifices do not stop.Cultivate it in the self – your De will then be true and real.Cultivate it in the family – its De will then be more thanenough.Cultivate it in the village – its De will then last forever.Cultivate it in the nation – its De will then be abundant.Cultivate it in the world – its De will then be everywhere.Therefore : use your self to contemplate the self.Use your family to contemplate the family.Use your village to contemplate the village.Use your nation to contemplate the nation.Use the world to contemplate the world.How do I thus know the world is like this?By means of this.♦That whichiswellestablishedisnotuprooted. [skillfully]♦That whichiswellembracedisnotabandoned. [skillfully]Thuschildrenandgrandchildrenoffersacrifices, [and so]sacrificesdonotstop.A♦CultivateitBin theself–yourDewillthenbetrue and real. [his]Cultivateitin thefamily–itsDewillthenbemore thanenough. [surplus,excess]♦Cultivateitin thevillage –itsDewillthenlastforever.Cultivateitin thenation–itsDewillthenbeabundant.Cultivateitin theworld2–itsDewillthenbeeverywhere.Therefore:use[your]selftocontemplateCtheself. [observe]♦Use[your]familytocontemplatethefamily. [observe]Use[your]villagetocontemplatethevillage. [observe]♦Use[your]nationtocontemplatethenation. [observe]♦Usetheworld2tocontemplatetheworld2. [observe]♦HowdoIthusknowtheworld2islike this?♦By means ofthisD.NotesA :this line seems to merely be a “for example”; the main point of the first two lines then continues with the “cultivate” linesB :presumably, De; but the original Chinese just says “it”, so you decide!C : while the common meaning of this symbol is “observe” (as used elsewhere), here it is taken to mean to contemplate or meditate upon, with the connotation of examining a concept in order to see things as they really areD :“this” could be referring to contemplating the previous things, or just observing the world in front of you, or to the teachings of the DDJ, or to something else – you decide!Cross-referencesself : #7, #9, #13, #16, #26, #44, #52, #66how do I thus know… : #21, #57by means of this : #21, #57
善建者不拔
善抱者不脫
子孫以祭祀不輟
修之__身其德乃(眞)
修之__家其德乃餘
修之__鄉其德乃長
修之__國其德乃豐
修之__天下其德乃普
(•)故以身觀身
以家觀家
以鄉觀鄉
以國觀國
以天下觀天下
吾何以知天下然哉(•)
以此
That which is well established is not uprooted.
That which is well embraced is not abandoned.
Thus children and grandchildren offer sacrifices, and so
sacrifices do not stop.
Cultivate it in the self – your De will then be true and real.
Cultivate it in the family – its De will then be more than
enough.
Cultivate it in the village – its De will then last forever.
Cultivate it in the nation – its De will then be abundant.
Cultivate it in the world – its De will then be everywhere.
Therefore : use your self to contemplate the self.
Use your family to contemplate the family.
Use your village to contemplate the village.
Use your nation to contemplate the nation.
Use the world to contemplate the world.
How do I thus know the world is like this?
By means of this.
♦That whichiswellestablishedisnotuprooted. [skillfully]
♦That whichiswellembracedisnotabandoned. [skillfully]
Thuschildrenandgrandchildrenoffersacrifices, [and so]
sacrificesdonotstop.A
♦CultivateitBin theself–yourDewillthenbe
true and real. [his]
Cultivateitin thefamily–itsDewillthenbemore than
enough. [surplus,excess]
♦Cultivateitin thevillage –itsDewillthenlastforever.
Cultivateitin thenation–itsDewillthenbeabundant.
Cultivateitin theworld2–itsDewillthenbeeverywhere.
Therefore:use[your]selftocontemplateCtheself. [observe]
♦Use[your]familytocontemplatethefamily. [observe]
Use[your]villagetocontemplatethevillage. [observe]
♦Use[your]nationtocontemplatethenation. [observe]
♦Usetheworld2tocontemplatetheworld2. [observe]
♦HowdoIthusknowtheworld2islike this?
♦By means ofthisD.
Notes
A :this line seems to merely be a “for example”; the main point of the first two lines then continues with the “cultivate” lines
B :presumably, De; but the original Chinese just says “it”, so you decide!
C : while the common meaning of this symbol is “observe” (as used elsewhere), here it is taken to mean to contemplate or meditate upon, with the connotation of examining a concept in order to see things as they really are
D :“this” could be referring to contemplating the previous things, or just observing the world in front of you, or to the teachings of the DDJ, or to something else – you decide!
Cross-references
self : #7, #9, #13, #16, #26, #44, #52, #66
how do I thus know… : #21, #57
by means of this : #21, #57
Chapter Fifty Five