道德经 Tao Te Ching by Lao tzu: Part Four

Knowing the Eternal Law

Attain the utmost in Passivity,

Hold firm to the basis of Quietude.

The myriad things take shape and rise to activity,

But I watch them fall back to their repose.

Like vegetation that luxuriantly grows

But returns to the root (soil) from which it springs.

To return to the root is Repose;

It is called going back to one's Destiny.

Going back to one's Destiny is to find the Eternal Law.

To know the Eternal Law is Enlightenment.

And not to know the Eternal Law

Is to court disaster.

He who knows the Eternal Law is tolerant;

Being tolerant, he is impartial;

Being impartial, he is kingly;

Being kingly, he is in accord with Nature;

Being in accord with Nature, he is in accord with Tao;

Being in accord with Tao, he is eternal,

And his whole life is preserved from harm.

Rulers

Of the best rulers

The people only know that they exist;

The next best they love and praise;

The next they fear;

And the next they revile.

When they do not command the people's faith,

Some will lose faith in them,

And then they resort to oaths!

But (of the best) when their task is accomplished,

their work done,

The people all remark, "We have done it ourselves."

The Decline of Tao

On the decline of the great Tao,

The doctrine of "humanity" and "justice" arose.

When knowledge and cleverness appeared,

Great hypocrisy followed in its wake.

When the six relationships no longer lived at peace,

There was praise of "kind parents" and "filial sons."

When a country fell into chaos and misrule,

There was praise of "loyal ministers."

Realize the Simple Self

Banish wisdom, discard knowledge,

And the people shall profit a hundredfold;

Banish "humanity," discard "justice,"

And the people shall recover love of their kin;

Banish cunning, discard "utility,"

And the thieves and brigands shall disappear.

As these three touch the externals and are inadequate,

The people have need of what they can depend upon:

Reveal thy simple self,

Embrace thy original nature,

Check thy selfishness,

Curtail thy desires.

The World and I

Banish learning, and vexations end.

Between "Aha!" and "Oh!"

How much difference is there?

Between "good" and "evil"

How much difference is there?"

That which men fear

Is indeed to be feared;

But, alas, distant yet is the dawn of awakening!

The people of the world are merry-making,

As if partaking of the sacrificial feasts,

As if mounting the terrace in spring;

I alone am mild, like one unemployed,

Like a new-born babe that cannot yet smile,

Unattached, like one without a home.

The people of the world have enough and to spare,

But I am like one left out,

My heart must be that of a fool,

Being muddled, nebulous!

The vulgar are knowing, luminous;

I alone am dull, confused.

The vulgar are clever, self-assured;

I alone, depressed.

Patient as the sea,

Adrift, seemingly aimless.

The people of the world all have a purpose;

I alone appear stubborn and uncouth.

I alone differ from the other people,

And value drawing sustenance from the Mother.

Translated by Lin Yutang.

∙ On The Absolute Tao - The Rise of Relative Opposites - Action Without Deeds - The Character of Tao - Nature ∙

∙ The Spirit of the Valley - Living for others - Water - The Danger of Overweening Success - Embracing the One ∙

∙ The Utility of Not-Being - The Senses - Praise and Blame - Prehistoric Origins - The Wise Ones of Old ∙

∙ Knowing the Eternal Law - Rulers - The Decline of Tao - Realize the Simple Self - The World and I ∙

∙ Manifestations of Tao - Futility of Contention - Identification with Tao - The Dregs and Tumours of Virtue - The Four Eternal Models ∙