含德之厚[者]比於赤子•蜂蠆虺蛇不螫猛獸不據攫鳥不摶骨弱筋柔而握固•未知牝牡之合而(脧)作精之至也(•) •終日號而不嗄和之至也(•)知和曰常知常曰明益生曰祥•心使氣曰強物壯則老謂之不道•不道早已He who embodies the substance of DeCan be compared to a newborn child :Wasps, scorpions, snakes, and serpents do not sting him,Fierce beasts do not seize him,Birds of prey do not claw him.His bones are weak, his muscles are soft, yet his grasp isfirm and strong.He has not yet known the union of female and male, yet hispenis rises.He has the utmost essence, indeed!He cries the entire day yet does not get hoarse.He has the utmost harmony, indeed!Knowing harmony speaks of the ever-constant.Knowing the ever-constant speaks of insight.Benefitting life speaks of good fortune.Heart/mind making Qi speaks of strength.When creatures are robust but old,We call them “not Dao”.That which is “not Dao” has an early finish.♦He whoembodiesthesubstanceofDe♦Can becomparedtoanewborn child2:Wasps,scorpions,snakes, andserpentsdonotstinghim,Fiercebeastsdonotseizehim,Birds of prey2donotclawhim. [seize,catch,take holdbird] [roll around with hand]♦Hisbonesareweak, hismusclesaresoft,yethisgraspisfirm and strong.Hehas not yetknowntheunionoffemaleandmale,yethispenisrises. [baby’s genitals]♦He has theutmost[of]essence,indeed![extreme,most]♦Hecriestheentiredayyetdoesnotgethoarse.♦He has theutmost[of]harmony,indeed![extreme,most]♦Knowingharmonyspeaksof theever-constant.♦Knowingtheever-constantspeaksofinsight.[wise,sight]♦Benefittinglifespeaksofgood fortune.A[auspicious,lucky]♦Heart/mindmakingQispeaksofstrength.♦Whencreaturesarerobustbutold,♦Wecallthem“notDao”.[That which is] “notDao” has anearlyfinish.NotesThe last sentence is in all sources except GUOA : this sentence and the next are sometimes reversed in meaning, as their last symbols have both positive and negative interpretationsCross-referencessubstance : #38, #50, #75baby/infant/child : #10, #20, #28, #49newborn infant : #10, #20, #28weak : #3, #29, #36, #40, #76, #78soft : #10, #36, #43, #52, #76, #78strong : #3, #29, #30, #33, #36, #52, #67, #78essence : #21knowing the ever-constant speaks of insight : #16Qi : #10, #42when creatures are robust but old : #30“not Dao” has an early finish : #30Chapter Fifty Six知者不言•言者不知•塞其兌閉其門挫其銳解其紛和其光同其塵是謂玄同•(•)故不可得而親•不可得而疏•不可得而利不可得而害不可得而貴不可得而賤(•)故為天下貴•He who knows does not speak;He who speaks does not know.Block your senses, close your gateway.Blunt your sharpness,Loosen your tangles,Soften your brightness,Be the same as the dust of the world.This is called a deep and mysterious sameness.Therefore : you can not gain it and be friendly,Can not gain it and be unfriendly,Can not gain it and benefit,Can not gain it and cause harm,Can not gain it and have high rank,Can not gain it and be lowly.Therefore you become valuable to the world.♦He whoknowsdoesnotspeak;♦He whospeaksdoesnotknow.♦Blockyoursenses°,closeyourgateway. [his] [his]Bluntyoursharpness, [dampens,subdues] [his]♦LoosenyourtanglesA, [his]Softenyourbrightness,B[his]♦Be [you] thesameas thedust of the worldC. [his]♦This iscalledadeep and mysterioussameness.♦Therefore: youcannotgainitDandbefriendly, [love,in favor of]♦Cannotgainitandbeunfriendly,♦Cannotgainitandbenefit,♦Cannotgainitandcause harm,♦Cannotgainitandhavehigh rank,♦Cannotgainitandbelowly. [worthless]♦ThereforeyouEbecomevaluableto theworld2.NotesA : this line could also be translated asClarifyyourconfusionB : compare to #58, where the sage is bright but does not dazzleC :according to Waley, “dust” is a metaphor for the “noise and fuss of everyday life”D : there is no noun in the original Chinese, so you decide what “it” is!E : “it” (whatever “it” is in the previous lines) could just as reasonably be used hereCross-referencesgateway : #1, #6, #10, #52block your senses, close your gateway : #52blunt the sharpness : #4loosen the tangles : #4soften the brightness : #4dust of the world : #4mystery : #1, #6, #10, #15, #27, #51, #62, #65mysterious sameness : #1no harm : #35, #58, #60, #66, #81being valuable : #62, #70therefore become valuable to the world : #62Chapter Fifty Seven•以正治國以奇用兵以無事取天下吾何以知其然哉(•)以此天下多忌諱而民彌貧•民多利器[而]國家滋昏人多(知)巧[而]奇物滋起法(物)滋(章)盜賊多有(•)故聖人云我無為而民自化我好靜而民自正我無事而民自富我無欲而民自樸•Use honesty and justness when governing a nation.Use strange and unusual tactics when commanding troops.Use non-interference to take hold of the world.How do I thus know it is like this?By means of this :The world has many prohibitions and taboos,And the citizens become even poorer.The citizens have many sharp tools,And the nation and the families grow in confusion.The people have too much knowledge and cleverness,And strange things begin to increase.Matters of law are increasingly proclaimed,And more thieves and bandits exist.Therefore : the sage says –I use non-action, and the citizens naturally transform.I cherish stillness, and the citizens naturally becomehonest and just.I use non-interference, and the citizens naturally becomewealthy.I am without-desire, and the citizens naturally return to thestate of the uncarved block.Usehonesty and justnesswhengoverninganation.Usestrange and unusual[tactics] whencommanding troops2.♦Usenon-interference2totake hold oftheworld2.HowdoIthusknowitislike this?By means ofthis:♦Theworld2hasmanyprohibitionsandtaboos, [avoid,shun,abstain]♦Andthecitizensbecomeeven[more]poorer.♦ThecitizenshavemanysharptoolsA,Andthenationand thefamiliesgrowinconfusion.Thepeoplehavetoo muchknowledgeandcleverness,♦Andstrangethingsbegintoincrease.Mattersoflawareincreasinglyproclaimed, [things] [made known]♦Andmorethievesandbandits{traitors}exist.Therefore: thesage2says–♦Iusenon-action,andthecitizensnaturallytransform.♦Icherishstillness,andthecitizensnaturallybecomehonest and just. [fond of]♦Iusenon-interference2,andthecitizensnaturallybecomewealthy.Iamwithout-desire,andthecitizensnaturally[return to thestate of the]uncarved block.NotesA :presumably, weaponsCross-referencesbe honest and just in governing : #8honest and just, strange and unusual : #58non-interference : #48, #63possess or take hold of the world or nation :#29, #48, #59, #61by using non-interference : #48how do I thus know : #21, #54by means of this : #21, #54sharp tools : #36nationandfamilies : #18thievesandbandits : #19the sage says : #78non-action : #2, #3, #37, #38, #43, #48, #63, #64stillness : #15, #16, #26, #37, #45, #61without-desire : #1, #3, #34, #37uncarved block : #15, #19, #28, #32, #37uncarved block brings without-desire : #37Chapter Fifty Eight
含德之厚[者]比於赤子•蜂蠆虺蛇不螫猛獸不據攫鳥不摶骨弱筋柔而握固•未知牝牡之合而(脧)作精之至也(•) •終日號而不嗄和之至也(•)知和曰常知常曰明益生曰祥•心使氣曰強物壯則老謂之不道•不道早已He who embodies the substance of DeCan be compared to a newborn child :Wasps, scorpions, snakes, and serpents do not sting him,Fierce beasts do not seize him,Birds of prey do not claw him.His bones are weak, his muscles are soft, yet his grasp isfirm and strong.He has not yet known the union of female and male, yet hispenis rises.He has the utmost essence, indeed!He cries the entire day yet does not get hoarse.He has the utmost harmony, indeed!Knowing harmony speaks of the ever-constant.Knowing the ever-constant speaks of insight.Benefitting life speaks of good fortune.Heart/mind making Qi speaks of strength.When creatures are robust but old,We call them “not Dao”.That which is “not Dao” has an early finish.♦He whoembodiesthesubstanceofDe♦Can becomparedtoanewborn child2:Wasps,scorpions,snakes, andserpentsdonotstinghim,Fiercebeastsdonotseizehim,Birds of prey2donotclawhim. [seize,catch,take holdbird] [roll around with hand]♦Hisbonesareweak, hismusclesaresoft,yethisgraspisfirm and strong.Hehas not yetknowntheunionoffemaleandmale,yethispenisrises. [baby’s genitals]♦He has theutmost[of]essence,indeed![extreme,most]♦Hecriestheentiredayyetdoesnotgethoarse.♦He has theutmost[of]harmony,indeed![extreme,most]♦Knowingharmonyspeaksof theever-constant.♦Knowingtheever-constantspeaksofinsight.[wise,sight]♦Benefittinglifespeaksofgood fortune.A[auspicious,lucky]♦Heart/mindmakingQispeaksofstrength.♦Whencreaturesarerobustbutold,♦Wecallthem“notDao”.[That which is] “notDao” has anearlyfinish.NotesThe last sentence is in all sources except GUOA : this sentence and the next are sometimes reversed in meaning, as their last symbols have both positive and negative interpretationsCross-referencessubstance : #38, #50, #75baby/infant/child : #10, #20, #28, #49newborn infant : #10, #20, #28weak : #3, #29, #36, #40, #76, #78soft : #10, #36, #43, #52, #76, #78strong : #3, #29, #30, #33, #36, #52, #67, #78essence : #21knowing the ever-constant speaks of insight : #16Qi : #10, #42when creatures are robust but old : #30“not Dao” has an early finish : #30
含德之厚[者]
比於赤子•
蜂蠆虺蛇不螫
猛獸不據
攫鳥不摶
骨弱筋柔而握固•
未知牝牡之合而(脧)作
精之至也(•) •
終日號而不嗄
和之至也(•)
知和曰常
知常曰明
益生曰祥•
心使氣曰強
物壯則老
謂之不道•
不道早已
He who embodies the substance of De
Can be compared to a newborn child :
Wasps, scorpions, snakes, and serpents do not sting him,
Fierce beasts do not seize him,
Birds of prey do not claw him.
His bones are weak, his muscles are soft, yet his grasp is
firm and strong.
He has not yet known the union of female and male, yet his
penis rises.
He has the utmost essence, indeed!
He cries the entire day yet does not get hoarse.
He has the utmost harmony, indeed!
Knowing harmony speaks of the ever-constant.
Knowing the ever-constant speaks of insight.
Benefitting life speaks of good fortune.
Heart/mind making Qi speaks of strength.
When creatures are robust but old,
We call them “not Dao”.
That which is “not Dao” has an early finish.
♦He whoembodiesthesubstanceofDe
♦Can becomparedtoanewborn child2:
Wasps,scorpions,snakes, andserpentsdonotstinghim,
Fiercebeastsdonotseizehim,
Birds of prey2donotclawhim. [seize,catch,take holdbird] [roll around with hand]
♦Hisbonesareweak, hismusclesaresoft,yethisgraspis
firm and strong.
Hehas not yetknowntheunionoffemaleandmale,yethis
penisrises. [baby’s genitals]
♦He has theutmost[of]essence,indeed![extreme,most]
♦Hecriestheentiredayyetdoesnotgethoarse.
♦He has theutmost[of]harmony,indeed![extreme,most]
♦Knowingharmonyspeaksof theever-constant.
♦Knowingtheever-constantspeaksofinsight.[wise,sight]
♦Benefittinglifespeaksofgood fortune.A[auspicious,lucky]
♦Heart/mindmakingQispeaksofstrength.
♦Whencreaturesarerobustbutold,
♦Wecallthem“notDao”.
[That which is] “notDao” has anearlyfinish.
Notes
The last sentence is in all sources except GUO
A : this sentence and the next are sometimes reversed in meaning, as their last symbols have both positive and negative interpretations
Cross-references
substance : #38, #50, #75
baby/infant/child : #10, #20, #28, #49
newborn infant : #10, #20, #28
weak : #3, #29, #36, #40, #76, #78
soft : #10, #36, #43, #52, #76, #78
strong : #3, #29, #30, #33, #36, #52, #67, #78
essence : #21
knowing the ever-constant speaks of insight : #16
Qi : #10, #42
when creatures are robust but old : #30
“not Dao” has an early finish : #30
Chapter Fifty Six
知者不言•言者不知•塞其兌閉其門挫其銳解其紛和其光同其塵是謂玄同•(•)故不可得而親•不可得而疏•不可得而利不可得而害不可得而貴不可得而賤(•)故為天下貴•He who knows does not speak;He who speaks does not know.Block your senses, close your gateway.Blunt your sharpness,Loosen your tangles,Soften your brightness,Be the same as the dust of the world.This is called a deep and mysterious sameness.Therefore : you can not gain it and be friendly,Can not gain it and be unfriendly,Can not gain it and benefit,Can not gain it and cause harm,Can not gain it and have high rank,Can not gain it and be lowly.Therefore you become valuable to the world.♦He whoknowsdoesnotspeak;♦He whospeaksdoesnotknow.♦Blockyoursenses°,closeyourgateway. [his] [his]Bluntyoursharpness, [dampens,subdues] [his]♦LoosenyourtanglesA, [his]Softenyourbrightness,B[his]♦Be [you] thesameas thedust of the worldC. [his]♦This iscalledadeep and mysterioussameness.♦Therefore: youcannotgainitDandbefriendly, [love,in favor of]♦Cannotgainitandbeunfriendly,♦Cannotgainitandbenefit,♦Cannotgainitandcause harm,♦Cannotgainitandhavehigh rank,♦Cannotgainitandbelowly. [worthless]♦ThereforeyouEbecomevaluableto theworld2.NotesA : this line could also be translated asClarifyyourconfusionB : compare to #58, where the sage is bright but does not dazzleC :according to Waley, “dust” is a metaphor for the “noise and fuss of everyday life”D : there is no noun in the original Chinese, so you decide what “it” is!E : “it” (whatever “it” is in the previous lines) could just as reasonably be used hereCross-referencesgateway : #1, #6, #10, #52block your senses, close your gateway : #52blunt the sharpness : #4loosen the tangles : #4soften the brightness : #4dust of the world : #4mystery : #1, #6, #10, #15, #27, #51, #62, #65mysterious sameness : #1no harm : #35, #58, #60, #66, #81being valuable : #62, #70therefore become valuable to the world : #62
知者不言•
言者不知•
塞其兌閉其門
挫其銳
解其紛
和其光
同其塵
是謂玄同•
(•)故不可得而親•
不可得而疏•
不可得而利
不可得而害
不可得而貴
不可得而賤
(•)故為天下貴•
He who knows does not speak;
He who speaks does not know.
Block your senses, close your gateway.
Blunt your sharpness,
Loosen your tangles,
Soften your brightness,
Be the same as the dust of the world.
This is called a deep and mysterious sameness.
Therefore : you can not gain it and be friendly,
Can not gain it and be unfriendly,
Can not gain it and benefit,
Can not gain it and cause harm,
Can not gain it and have high rank,
Can not gain it and be lowly.
Therefore you become valuable to the world.
♦He whoknowsdoesnotspeak;
♦He whospeaksdoesnotknow.
♦Blockyoursenses°,closeyourgateway. [his] [his]
Bluntyoursharpness, [dampens,subdues] [his]
♦LoosenyourtanglesA, [his]
Softenyourbrightness,B[his]
♦Be [you] thesameas thedust of the worldC. [his]
♦This iscalledadeep and mysterioussameness.
♦Therefore: youcannotgainitDandbefriendly, [love,in favor of]
♦Cannotgainitandbeunfriendly,
♦Cannotgainitandbenefit,
♦Cannotgainitandcause harm,
♦Cannotgainitandhavehigh rank,
♦Cannotgainitandbelowly. [worthless]
♦ThereforeyouEbecomevaluableto theworld2.
Notes
A : this line could also be translated as
Clarifyyourconfusion
B : compare to #58, where the sage is bright but does not dazzle
C :according to Waley, “dust” is a metaphor for the “noise and fuss of everyday life”
D : there is no noun in the original Chinese, so you decide what “it” is!
E : “it” (whatever “it” is in the previous lines) could just as reasonably be used here
Cross-references
gateway : #1, #6, #10, #52
block your senses, close your gateway : #52
blunt the sharpness : #4
loosen the tangles : #4
soften the brightness : #4
dust of the world : #4
mystery : #1, #6, #10, #15, #27, #51, #62, #65
mysterious sameness : #1
no harm : #35, #58, #60, #66, #81
being valuable : #62, #70
therefore become valuable to the world : #62
Chapter Fifty Seven
•以正治國以奇用兵以無事取天下吾何以知其然哉(•)以此天下多忌諱而民彌貧•民多利器[而]國家滋昏人多(知)巧[而]奇物滋起法(物)滋(章)盜賊多有(•)故聖人云我無為而民自化我好靜而民自正我無事而民自富我無欲而民自樸•Use honesty and justness when governing a nation.Use strange and unusual tactics when commanding troops.Use non-interference to take hold of the world.How do I thus know it is like this?By means of this :The world has many prohibitions and taboos,And the citizens become even poorer.The citizens have many sharp tools,And the nation and the families grow in confusion.The people have too much knowledge and cleverness,And strange things begin to increase.Matters of law are increasingly proclaimed,And more thieves and bandits exist.Therefore : the sage says –I use non-action, and the citizens naturally transform.I cherish stillness, and the citizens naturally becomehonest and just.I use non-interference, and the citizens naturally becomewealthy.I am without-desire, and the citizens naturally return to thestate of the uncarved block.Usehonesty and justnesswhengoverninganation.Usestrange and unusual[tactics] whencommanding troops2.♦Usenon-interference2totake hold oftheworld2.HowdoIthusknowitislike this?By means ofthis:♦Theworld2hasmanyprohibitionsandtaboos, [avoid,shun,abstain]♦Andthecitizensbecomeeven[more]poorer.♦ThecitizenshavemanysharptoolsA,Andthenationand thefamiliesgrowinconfusion.Thepeoplehavetoo muchknowledgeandcleverness,♦Andstrangethingsbegintoincrease.Mattersoflawareincreasinglyproclaimed, [things] [made known]♦Andmorethievesandbandits{traitors}exist.Therefore: thesage2says–♦Iusenon-action,andthecitizensnaturallytransform.♦Icherishstillness,andthecitizensnaturallybecomehonest and just. [fond of]♦Iusenon-interference2,andthecitizensnaturallybecomewealthy.Iamwithout-desire,andthecitizensnaturally[return to thestate of the]uncarved block.NotesA :presumably, weaponsCross-referencesbe honest and just in governing : #8honest and just, strange and unusual : #58non-interference : #48, #63possess or take hold of the world or nation :#29, #48, #59, #61by using non-interference : #48how do I thus know : #21, #54by means of this : #21, #54sharp tools : #36nationandfamilies : #18thievesandbandits : #19the sage says : #78non-action : #2, #3, #37, #38, #43, #48, #63, #64stillness : #15, #16, #26, #37, #45, #61without-desire : #1, #3, #34, #37uncarved block : #15, #19, #28, #32, #37uncarved block brings without-desire : #37
•以正治國
以奇用兵
以無事取天下
吾何以知其然哉(•)
以此
天下多忌諱
而民彌貧•
民多利器
[而]國家滋昏
人多(知)巧
[而]奇物滋起
法(物)滋(章)
盜賊多有
(•)故聖人云
我無為而民自化
我好靜而民自正
我無事而民自富
我無欲而民自樸•
Use honesty and justness when governing a nation.
Use strange and unusual tactics when commanding troops.
Use non-interference to take hold of the world.
How do I thus know it is like this?
By means of this :
The world has many prohibitions and taboos,
And the citizens become even poorer.
The citizens have many sharp tools,
And the nation and the families grow in confusion.
The people have too much knowledge and cleverness,
And strange things begin to increase.
Matters of law are increasingly proclaimed,
And more thieves and bandits exist.
Therefore : the sage says –
I use non-action, and the citizens naturally transform.
I cherish stillness, and the citizens naturally become
honest and just.
I use non-interference, and the citizens naturally become
wealthy.
I am without-desire, and the citizens naturally return to the
state of the uncarved block.
Usehonesty and justnesswhengoverninganation.
Usestrange and unusual[tactics] when
commanding troops2.
♦Usenon-interference2totake hold oftheworld2.
HowdoIthusknowitislike this?
By means ofthis:
♦Theworld2hasmanyprohibitionsandtaboos, [avoid,shun,abstain]
♦Andthecitizensbecomeeven[more]poorer.
♦ThecitizenshavemanysharptoolsA,
Andthenationand thefamiliesgrowinconfusion.
Thepeoplehavetoo muchknowledgeandcleverness,
♦Andstrangethingsbegintoincrease.
Mattersoflawareincreasinglyproclaimed, [things] [made known]
♦Andmorethievesandbandits{traitors}exist.
Therefore: thesage2says–
♦Iusenon-action,andthecitizensnaturallytransform.
♦Icherishstillness,andthecitizensnaturallybecome
honest and just. [fond of]
♦Iusenon-interference2,andthecitizensnaturallybecome
wealthy.
Iamwithout-desire,andthecitizensnaturally[return to the
state of the]uncarved block.
Notes
A :presumably, weapons
Cross-references
be honest and just in governing : #8
honest and just, strange and unusual : #58
non-interference : #48, #63
possess or take hold of the world or nation :
#29, #48, #59, #61
by using non-interference : #48
how do I thus know : #21, #54
by means of this : #21, #54
sharp tools : #36
nationandfamilies : #18
thievesandbandits : #19
the sage says : #78
non-action : #2, #3, #37, #38, #43, #48, #63, #64
stillness : #15, #16, #26, #37, #45, #61
without-desire : #1, #3, #34, #37
uncarved block : #15, #19, #28, #32, #37
uncarved block brings without-desire : #37
Chapter Fifty Eight