Tao Te-ching (Dao De-jing)
Verse 1 to 10
1.
The way that you can explain
is not the real way
The name that you can name
Is not the real name
Namelessness
Is the real face of the universe
Through naming all things become
Free from attachment you see infinitely far
With attachment you see borders
Infinity and form are actually one
But have another name
That oneness - we call darkness
The deepest utmost darkness
It is the gate to all insight.
2.
Everyone finds something beautiful
But as thìs is beautiful that becomes ugly
Everyone finds something good
But as this is good that becomes bad.
Being and not-being beget each other
Easy and difficult define each other
Long and short form each other
High and low determine each other
Music and noise disappear in each other
Before and after follow each other.
Therefore the sage accomplishes
Without doing
Therefore the sage explains
Without saying a word.
As life appears they let it come
As life unfolds they let it be
And achievements they let go
Thus this doing without doing
Goes on and on.
3.
Not esteeming deeds and feats
Keeps people from competing
Not praising precious goods
Keeps people from stealing
Not displaying what people might like
Keeps them from making trouble.
Thus the sage’s rule is to
Empty the mind of illusion
To fill your gut with truth
To weaken ambitions
To strengthen integrity.
He encourages giving up knowing and wanting
And keeps those who think they know
From bold actions
So through not doing
All falls into place.
4.
The Way infuses with emptiness
Who walks it never becomes full again
It is fathomless depth,
The source of all things.
The Way dulls our edges
Unties our knots
Softens our light
Shares in our dust.
Transparent so invisible
Yet it seems to exist
I wonder where it was born
It is from before time.
5.
The Way has no preferences
And gives birth to all kinds
The sage without preference
Treats beings without distinction.
The Way is as a bellows
With empty and inexhaustable breath
The more empty it becomes
The more breath it gives.
The more you speak about it
The less you ‘ll understand
Better protect what ’s inside!
6.
The Way is life-giving and immortal
It is called the hidden mother
And is the source of all things.
Elusive and ever-present
It cannot be exhausted.
7.
The Way* is eternal and infinite
Why is that so?
The Way does not live for itself
Therefore it can live in all things.
Sages stay behind
Thus they walk ahead
They exclude themselves
Thus they are present everywhere.
In their selflessness they are completely fulfilled.
* Literally: Heaven and Earth
8.
The wisest are like water:
It benefits all things
Without any effort
And is content with places
That most people despise
Therefore water is as the Way.
Those wise ones live close to the earth
They feel and think with depth
They give selflessly
They speak trustworthy
They govern with harmony
They work with skill
They are moving with time.
Because they do not compete
All they do finds its right place.
9.
Pour in more
And it will overflow
Sharpen a point
And it will blunt
Stuff a treasurehouse
And it will not close
Success, fame or riches
Bring on failure.
When your work is done
Step back and let go
This is the Way of peace.
10.
Can you let your mind rest in the undivided
Without going out to things?
Can you let your Qi flow gently
As that of a newborn child?
Can you let the inner mirror sparkle
Free of all dust?
Can you love people and lead them
Without giving direction?
Can you be guardian of Heaven
Without any judgement?
Can you understand the world
Without any knowledge?
Give birth and raise
Without owning
Without control
This is unknown virtue
Translated by: Rev. Hakuun Barnhard
Copyright: Eerw. Hakuun Barnhard ©