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THE TAO TEH KING； OR THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
THE TAO TEH KING；
OR THE TAO AND ITS
CHARACTERISTICS
by Lao…Tse
translated by James Legge
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THE TAO TEH KING； OR THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
PART 1。
Ch。 1。 1。 The Tao that can be trodden is not the enduring and
unchanging Tao。 The name that can be named is not the enduring and
unchanging name。
2。 （Conceived of as） having no name； it is the Originator of heaven and
earth； （conceived of as） having a name； it is the Mother of all things。
3。 Always without desire we must be found； If its deep mystery we
would sound； But if desire always within us be； Its outer fringe is
all that we shall see。
4。 Under these two aspects； it is really the same； but as development
takes place； it receives the different names。 Together we call them the
Mystery。 Where the Mystery is the deepest is the gate of all that is subtle
and wonderful。
2。 1。 All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful； and in doing
this they have （the idea of） what ugliness is； they all know the skill of the
skilful； and in doing this they have （the idea of） what the want of skill is。
2。 So it is that existence and non…existence give birth the one to （the
idea of） the other； that difficulty and ease produce the one （the idea of） the
other； that length and shortness fashion out the one the figure of the other；
that （the ideas of） height and lowness arise from the contrast of the one
with the other； that the musical notes and tones become harmonious
through the relation of one with another； and that being before and behind
give the idea of one following another。
3。 Therefore the sage manages affairs without doing anything； and
conveys his instructions without the use of speech。
4。 All things spring up； and there is not one which declines to show
itself； they grow； and there is no claim made for their ownership； they go
through their processes； and there is no expectation （of a reward for the
results）。 The work is accomplished； and there is no resting in it （as an
achievement）。
The work is done； but how no one can see； 'Tis this that makes
the power not cease to be。
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THE TAO TEH KING； OR THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
3。 1。 Not to value and employ men of superior ability is the way to
keep the people from rivalry among themselves； not to prize articles which
are difficult to procure is the way to keep them from becoming thieves；
not to show them what is likely to excite their desires is the way to keep
their minds from disorder。
2。 Therefore the sage； in the exercise of his government； empties their
minds； fills their bellies； weakens their wills； and strengthens their bones。
3。 He constantly （tries to） keep them without knowledge and without
desire； and where there are those who have knowledge； to keep them from
presuming to act （on it）。 When there is this abstinence from action； good
order is universal。
4。 1。 The Tao is （like） the emptiness of a vessel； and in our
employment of it we must be on our guard against all fulness。 How deep
and unfathomable it is； as if it were the Honoured Ancestor of all things！
2。 We should blunt our sharp points； and unravel the complications of
things； we should attemper our brightness； and bring ourselves into
agreement with the obscurity of others。 How pure and still the Tao is； as
if it would ever so continue！
3。 I do not know whose son it is。 It might appear to have been before
God。
5。 1。 Heaven and earth do not act from （the impulse of） any wish to
be benevolent； they deal with all things as the dogs of grass are dealt with。
The sages do not act from （any wish to be） benevolent； they deal with the
people as the dogs of grass are dealt with。
2。 May not the space between heaven and earth be compared to a
bellows？
'Tis emptied； yet it loses not its power； 'Tis moved again； and
sends forth air the more。 Much speech to swift exhaustion lead we see；
Your inner being guard； and keep it free。
6。 The valley spirit dies not； aye the same； The female mystery
thus do we name。 Its gate； from which at first they issued forth； Is
called the root from which grew heaven and earth。 Long and unbroken
does its power remain； Used gently； and without the touch of pain。
7。 1。 Heaven is long…enduring and earth continues long。 The reason
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THE TAO TEH KING； OR THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
why heaven and earth are able to endure and continue thus long is because
they do not live of； or for； themselves。 This is how they are able to
continue and endure。
2。 Therefore the sage puts his own person last； and yet it is found in
the foremost place； he treats his person as if it were foreign to him； and yet
that person is preserved。 Is it not because he has no personal and private
ends； that therefore such ends are realised？
8。 1。 The highest excellence is like （that of） water。 The excellence
of water appears in its benefiting all things； and in its occupying； without
striving （to the contrary）； the low place which all men dislike。 Hence （its
way） is near to （that of） the Tao。
2。 The excellence of a residence is in （the suitability of） the place； that
of the mind is in abysmal stillness； that of associations is in their being
with the virtuous； that of government is in its securing good order； that of
（the conduct of） affairs is in its ability； and that of （the initiation of） any
movement is in its timeliness。
3。 And when （one with the highest excellence） does not wrangle （about
his low position）； no one finds fault with him。
9。 1。 It is better to leave a vessel unfilled； than to attempt to carry it
when it is full。 If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened； the
point cannot long preserve its sharpness。
2。 When gold and jade fill the hall； their possessor cannot keep them
safe。 When wealth and honours lead to arrogancy； this brings its evil on
itself。 When the work is done； and one's name is becoming distinguished；
to withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven。
10。 1。 When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one
embrace； they can be kept from separating。 When one gives undivided
attention to the （vital） breath； and brings it to the utmost degree of pliancy；
he can become as a （tender） babe。 When he has cleansed away the most
mysterious sights （of his imagination）； he can become without a flaw。
2。 In loving the people and ruling the state； cannot he proceed without
any （purpose of） action？ In the opening and shutting of his gates of
heaven； cannot he do so as a female bird？ While his intelligence reaches
in every direction； cannot he （appear to） be without knowledge？
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THE TAO TEH KING； OR THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
3。 （The Tao） produces （all things） and nourishes them； it produces
them and does not claim them as its own； it does all； and yet does not
boast of it； it presides over all； and yet does not control them。 This is what
is called 'The mysterious Quality' （of the Tao）。
11。 The thirty spokes unite in the one nave； but it is on the empty
space （for the axle）； that the use of the wheel depends。 Clay is fashioned
into vessels； but it is on their empty hollowness； that their use depends。
The door and windows are cut out （from the walls） to form an apartment；
but it is on the empty space （within）； that its use depends。 Therefore；
what has a （positive） existence serves for profitable adaptation； and what
has not that for （actual） usefulness。
12。 1。 Colour's five hues from th' eyes their sight will take；
Music's five notes the ears as deaf can make； The