Tao floods, never over flow, we use it, As a stream, as the source of everything. Blunt the sharp, Untangle the knotted, Soften the glare, Merge with dust. Hidden, yet seemingly present! I do not know from whence it comes. Forefather of gods.
Not respect sages, no argument. Not value treasures, no stealing. Not seeing desirable things, no confusion of the heart. Thus, sages rule by emptying people’s hearts (keep them ignorant), filling their bellies, weakening their ambitions, and strengtheningtheir bones. Let people ignorant and lack desire, Then, smart ones, afraid of doing (smart things), But doing Wu-Wei, [...]
Everyone loves beauty, because there is ugliness. Everyone loves goodness, because there is evil. Existence, non-existence beget each other. Difficult and easy complement each other. Long and short contrast each other. High and low rest upon each other. Voice and sound harmonize each other. Front and back follow each other. Therefore, sages doing without effort, [...]
Tao that can be spoke of, not the eternal Tao. Name that can be named, not the eternal name. Nameless, the beginning of heaven and earth. Named, mother of everything. Desireless, sees the mystery. Desiring, sees the manifestations. These two, from the same source, differ in name; both are original. Original of original, gate of [...]
True words are not pretty Pretty words are not true Wise men do not talk about the Unspeakable One who talks about the Unspeakable is not wise Wise men are not learned And learned ones aren’t wise A wise man doesn’t gather possessions He gives what he has And therefore he is worthy of living [...]
May mankind live in freedom, equality and brotherhood again, So that there will be no need for leaders and superiors Then people won’t fear death any longer And won’t try to escape death May it be that people don’t feel the need anymore, To move themselves about in vehicles And that they will have nothing [...]
