💾 Archived View for library.inu.red › file › lao-tzu-the-tao-te-ching.gmi captured on 2023-01-29 at 12:18:19. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Title: The Tao Te Ching Author: Lao Tzu Date: 2004 Language: en Topics: Taoism, philosophy, political philosophy Source: Retrieved on 19 October 2020 from http://beatrice.com/TAO.txt
The Tao Te Ching a modern interpretation of Lao Tzu perpetrated by Ron
Hogan copyright 2002, 2004
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial License. To view a copy of this
license, visit
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd-nc/1.0/
or send a letter to Creative Commons 559 Nathan Abbott Way Stanford, CA
94305 USA.
Basically, you can distribute this text all over the place, as long as
you always attribute it to me, you don't change a word, and you never
charge anybody anything to receive it. But read the license for the full
details.
---
FOREWORD "Ancient Chinese Secret, Huh?"
In the spring of 1994, I was handed a master's degree in film studies
and politely invited not to return to graduate school in the fall. So I
went to work at Dutton's, a fantastic indie bookstore in Brentwood, less
than a mile from the Simpson condo, but that's another story. Doug, the
owner, lets his employees borrow books from the inventory, on the
principle that you can sell books better if you know them better, and
that's how I discovered the Tao Te Ching (or TTC, as I'll abbreviate it
from now on).
Oh, I knew about the book beforehand. I knew it existed, anyway, and I
knew it was a classic of Eastern philosophy. But that's all I knew. Not
that there's that much to know after that, about all anybody can really
say about Lao Tzu is that according to legend, about six centuries
before Christ, he got fed up with the royal court's inability to take
his advice and decided to leave. Then, the story goes, he was stopped at
the Great Wall by a guard who begged him to write down some of his
teachings for posterity, and the result was this slim volume. Once I
actually started to read the thing, I was hooked. Here was a book that
managed to say with clarity what I'd been struggling to figure out about
spirituality for several years.
The TTC I found at Dutton's was written by Stephen Mitchell, a version
which remains popular nearly twenty years after its original
composition. Having read a couple dozen translations since, it's still
one of the most accessible versions I've seen, but even then, I found
his style a bit too refined, too full of a certain "wisdom of the
ancients" flavor. For example, here's how Mitchell starts the first
chapter:
"The Tao that can be named is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be
named is not the eternal Name."
At the time, I was newly infatuated with the writing of Quentin
Tarantino and David Mamet, so my dream version of a TTC reflected the
simplicity and grit of their dialogue:
"If you can talk about it, it ain't Tao. If it has a name, it's just
another thing."
Anyway, I grabbed a couple other translations and started looking at the
different ways they expressed the same sentiments--or, as I quickly
discovered, how much poetic license Mitchell and other translators were
willing to take with the original text. I don't think this necessarily
matters all that much; many current English- language versions are by
people who don't know Chinese well, if at all, and I can't read or speak
it myself. To that extent, then, we're all (unless we're fluent in
Chinese, that is) at the mercy of, at best, a secondhand understanding
of what Lao Tzu said.
Once I thought I had a rough idea what was behind the words, though, I
went about rephrasing the chapters in my own voice. My guiding principle
was to take out as much of the "poetry" as possible, to make the text
sound like dialogue, so the reader could imagine someone telling him or
her what Tao's all about. You can't take the "poetry" out completely,
because the TTC is always going to have those lines about Tao being an
"eternal mystery" and whatnot.
But the beauty of the book isn't in its language, at least not for
me--it's in the practical advice Lao Tzu offers us about how to live a
productive, meaningful life on a day to day basis. What I wanted to do
was to make that advice as clear to a modern American reader as it would
have been to the guard who first asked Lao Tzu to write it down.
I worked through the first twenty chapters, then put the rough draft up
on my website under a pseudonym I used online back in those days. A
bunch of fan mail came in, so I kept plugging away at the text, then my
hard drivecollapsed and all my files were completely erased. I was
freelancing pretty steadily then, and what little free time I had I
spent building my own website, so the TTC went on hold. I got an
occasional email asking about the other chapters, and I developed a
stock answer. When it was time for me to finish the job, I told people,
I would.
Years went by. I'd left LA for San Francisco, then moved up to Seattle,
chasing after big dotcom money. It was great for a while, but as Lao Tzu
says, "If you give things too much value, you're going to get ripped
off." In the middle of the worst of the frustration, I rediscovered the
Tao Te Ching, and realized I needed to finish what I started.
I dug out all my old copies of the TTC and went shopping for more
versions, some of which were even better than the ones I'd found the
first time. Brian Browne Walker's translation comes close to the modern
oral quality I was striving for, though his voice is still much more of
an "Eastern sage" voice than mine. David Hinton is somewhat more poetic,
but I think he does a wonderful job of capturing what Lao Tzu may have
actually sounded like to his contemporaries. And Ursula K. LeGuin
strikes a balance between the modern and classical voices that gave me a
new perspective on Tao; her commentaries on several chapters are
enlightening as well.
I wish I could say that I wrote the remaining sixty-one chapters in a
hurried creative frenzy, but things took a little longer than I thought.
I got distracted by the decision to move to New York City, and though I
did get some work done on the book, it was a little over a year later,
when (and, yes, I know how cliched this sounds) the planes crashed into
the World Trade Center and I realized I'd still been wasting too much of
my life on things that didn't pan out. Instead of talking about getting
serious about my life, it was time to actually do it. (Living through
the following two and a half years has also made me appreciate chapters
30 and 31 a lot more, for reasons that will become readily apparent.)
So here you are--with my own name attached, as thepseudonym has long
since fallen away. From a scholar's point of view, this TTC is
unfaithful to the original text on more than one occasion, if not in
every single line. Case in point: in chapter 20, Lao Tzu didn't exactly
say, "Don't spend too much time thinking about stupid shit." For all the
liberties I've taken with his words, however, I've made every attempt to
stay true to his message, and I hope you'll find something useful in my
efforts.
--Ron Hogan (tao@beatrice.com) January 2004
If you can talk about it, it ain't Tao. If it has a name, it's just
another thing.
Tao doesn't have a name. Names are for ordinary things.
Stop wanting stuff; it keeps you from seeing what's real. When you want
stuff, all you see are things.
Those two sentences mean the same thing. Figure them out, and you've got
it made.
If something looks beautiful to you, something else must be ugly. If
something seems good, something else must seem bad.
You can't have something without nothing. If no job is difficult, then
no job is easy. Some things are up high because other things are down
low. You know you're listening to music because it doesn't sound like
noise. All that came first, so this must be next.
The Masters get the job done without moving a muscle and get their point
across without saying a word.
When things around them fall apart, they stay cool. They don't own much,
but they use whatever's at hand. They do the work without expecting any
favors. When they're done, they move on to the next job. That's why
their work is so damn good.
If you toss compliments around freely, people will waste your time
trying to impress you. If you give things too much value, you're going
to get ripped off. If you try to please people, you'll just make them
pissed.
The Master leads by clearing the crap out of people's heads and opening
their hearts. He lowers their aspirations and makes them suck in their
guts.
He shows you how to forget what you know and what you want, so nobody
can push you around. If you think you've got the answers, he'll mess
with your head.
Stop doing stuff all the time, and watch what happens.
How much Tao is there? More than you'll ever need. Use all you want,
there's plenty more where that came from.
You can't see Tao, but it's there. Damned if I know where it came from.
It's just always been around.
Tao's neutral: it doesn't worry about good or evil. The Masters are
neutral: they treat everyone the same.
Lao Tzu said Tao is like a bellows: It's empty, but it could help set
the world on fire. If you keep using Tao, it works better. If you keep
talking about it, it won't make any sense.
Be cool.
Tao is an eternal mystery, and everything starts with Tao.
Everybody has Tao in them. They just have to use it.
Tao never stops. Why? Because it isn't trying to accomplish anything.
The Masters hang back. That's why they're ahead of the game.
They don't hang on to things. That's how they manage to keep them.
They don't worry about what they can't control. That's why they're
always satisfied.
"Doing the right thing" is like water. It's good for all living
things,and flows without thinking about where it's going
...just like Tao.
Keep your feet on the ground. Remember what's important. Be there when
people need you. Say what you mean. Be prepared for anything. Do
whatever you can, whenever it needs doing.
If you don't compare yourself to others, nobody can compare to you.
If you drink too much, you get drunk. The engine won't start if you're
always tinkering with it.
If you hoard wealth, you fall into its clutches. If you crave success,
hyou succumb to failure.
Do what you have to do, then walk away. Anything else will drive you
nuts.
Can you hold on to your ego and still stay focused on Tao?
Can you relax your mind and body and brace yourself for a new life?
Can you check yourself and see past what's in front of your eyes?
Can you be a leader and not try to prove you're in charge?
Can you deal with what's happening and let it happen?
Can you forget what you know and understand what's real?
Start a job and see it through. Have things without holding on to them.
Do the job without expectation of reward. Lead people without giving
orders. That's the way you do it.
A wheel has spokes, but it rotates around a hollow center.
A pot is made out of clay or glass, but you keep things in the space
inside.
A house is made of wood or brick, but you live between the walls.
We work with something, but we use nothing.
Sight obscures. Noise deafens.
Desire messes with your heart. The world messes with your mind.
A Master watches the world but keeps focused on what's real.
Winning can be just as bad as losing. Confidence can mess you up just as
much as fear.
What does "winning can be just as bad as losing" mean?
If you're down, you might be able to get up. But if you're up, you can
get knocked down real fast. Don't worry about the score, just do what
you have to do.
What does "confidence can mess you up just as much as fear" mean?
Fear can keep you from getting the job done, but confidence can get you
in over your head. Walk tall, but don't get cocky.
Know your limits, and nothing can ever hold you back. Deal with what you
can. The rest will follow.
You can't see Tao, no matter how hard you look. You can't hear Tao, no
matter how hard you listen. You can't hold on to Tao, no matter how hard
you grab.
But it's there.
It's in you, and it's all around you.
Remember that.
The ancient Masters were damn impressive. They were deep. Real deep.
Words can't even begin to describe how deep they were. You can only talk
about how they acted.
They were careful, like a man walking on thin ice. They were cautious,
like a soldier behind enemy lines. They were polite, like a guest at a
party. They moved quickly, like melting ice. They were as plain as a
block of wood. Their minds were as wide as a valley, and their hearts as
clear as spring water.
Can you wait for that kind of openness and clarity before you try to
understand the world?
Can you hold still until events have unfolded before you do the right
thing?
When you act without expectations, you can accomplish great things.
Keep your head clear. Stay calm. Watch as everything happens around you.
Everything reverts to its original state, which was nothing. And when
something becomes nothing, it gets right with Tao.
If you don't understand that, you're going to screw up somewhere down
the line. If you figure it out, you'll always know what to do.
If you get right with Tao, you won't be afraid to die, because you know
you will.
When a Master takes charge, hardly anybody notices. The next best leader
is obeyed out of love. After that, there's the leader obeyed out of
fear. The worst leader is one who is hated.
Trust and respect people. That's how you earn their trust and respect.
The Masters don't give orders; they work with everybody else. When the
job's done, people are amazed at what they accomplished.
When people lose touch with Tao, they start talking about
"righteousness" and "sanctity."
When people forget what's true, they start talking about "self-evident
truths."
When people have no respect for one another, they start talking about
"political correctness" and "family values."
When the nation is unstable, people start talking about "patriotism."
Get rid of sanctity. People will understand the truth and be happier.
Get rid of morality. People will respect each other and do what's right.
Get rid of value and profit. People will not steal if they do not
desire.
If that's not possible, go to Plan B: Be simple. Be real. Do your work
as best you can. Don't think about what you get for it. Stay focused.
Get rid of all your crap.
Don't spend too much time thinking about stupid shit. Why should you
care if people agree or disagree with you? Why should you care if others
find you attractive or not? Why should you care about things that worry
others? Call bullshit on all that.
Let other people get worked up and try to enjoy themselves. I'm not
going to give myself away. A baby doesn't know how to smile, but it's
still happy.
Let other people get excited about stuff. I'm not going to hang on to
anything. I'm not going to fill my mind with ideas. I'm not going to get
stuck in a rut, tied down to any one place.
Other people are clever; I guess I must be stupid. Other people have
goals; I guess I must be aimless. Like the wind. Or the waves.
I'm not like other people. I'm getting right with Tao.
A Master stays focused on Tao. Nothing else, just Tao.
But you can't pin Tao down-- you can't even see it! How are you supposed
to focus on something like that?
Just remember what Lao Tzu said: The universe began as a void. The void
fills with images. Images lead to the creation of objects. And every
object has Tao at its core.
That's the way it's been, ever since the world began. How can I be so
sure? I just know.
Learn how to stand still if you want to go places. Get on your knees if
you want to stand tall. If you want wisdom, empty your mind. If you want
the world, renounce your riches. Push yourself until you're exhausted,
and then you'll find your strength.
You can go far if you don't have anything to carry. The more you
acquire, the less you can really see.
A Master takes this to heart and sets an example for everybody else.
She doesn't show off so people take notice. She's not out to prove
anything so people take her at her word. She doesn't brag about herself
but people know what she's done. She hasn't got an agenda but people
know what she can do. She's not out to get anybody so nobody can get in
her way.
"Learn how to stand still if you want to go places." That's not as crazy
as it sounds. Get in touch with Tao, and you'll see what I mean.
When you have nothing to say, you may as well keep your mouth shut. The
wind and the rain don't go on forever. If nature knows enough to give it
a rest sometimes, so should you.
If you're ready for Tao, you can live with Tao. If you're ready to
succeed, you can live with success. If you're ready to fail, you can
live with failure.
Trust your instincts, and others will trust you.
Keep your feet firmly planted unless you want to fall on your face.
Learn how to pace yourself if you want to get anywhere. Don't call
attention to yourself if you want people to notice your work.
Nobody respects people who always have excuses. Nobody gives credit to
people who always take it. People who hype themselves have nothing else
to offer.
Think of being in touch with Tao like eating at a buffet: Take only what
you need. Save some for everybody else.
Something perfect has existed forever, even longer than the universe.
It's a vast, unchanging void. There's nothing else like it. It goes on
forever and never stops, and everything else came from it.
I don't know what else to call it so I'll call it Tao. What's it like? I
can tell you this much: it's great.
So great that it endures. Something that endures goes a long way. And
something that goes a long way always comes back to the beginning.
Tao's great. Heaven's great. Earth's great. And someone in touch with
Tao is great, too. Those are the four greatest things in the universe.
Someone who's in touch with Tao is in touch with the earth. The earth is
in touch with heaven. Heaven's in touch with Tao. Tao's in touch with
the way things are.
To be light on your feet, you need a steady mind. If your body is
active, your mind should be relaxed.
A Master can travel long distances and still see everything she owns.
She may be surrounded by beauty but she isn't caught up in it.
Why run around thoughtlessly? If you act lightly, you lose your
bearings. If you act recklessly, you lose your self-control.
With enough practice, you could come and go without a trace, speak
without stumbling over words, do complicated math problems in your head.
You could build a door with no lock that nobody could open. You could
tie something down with no knots, without even a rope, and nobody could
pry it loose.
Masters have time to help everybody, and ignore nobody. They use their
resources wisely, wasting nothing. Some people call this "following the
light."
Good people teach others because they have the potential to be good too.
Brains count for nothing if you fail to respect your teachers or to
honor the potential in others. That's one of the most important lessons
of Tao.
If you are strong, but remain sensitive, power will flow through you.
With that power, you'll always be right with Tao: It's like a whole new
life.
If you are idealistic, but stay rooted in reality, you are an example to
others. Set that example, and you'll always be right with Tao: There is
no limit to what you can do.
If you are honorable, but remain humble, you will see things as they
are. If you see things as they are, you'll always be right with Tao:
Your life will become simple, yet full of potential.
Let Tao show you how to get right with Tao, so your slightest gesture
can change the world.
Want to take over the world? Think again. The world's a holy place. You
can't just fuck around with it. Those who try to change it destroy it.
Those who try to possess it lose it.
With Tao, you push forward, or maybe you stay behind. Sometimes you push
yourself, other times you rest. Sometimes you're strong, sometimes
you're weak. Sometimes you're up, and sometimes you're down.
A Master lives simply, avoiding extravagance and excess.
Listen up: If you want to be a leader who's in touch with Tao, never use
violence to achieve your goals.
Every act of violence backfires. An army on the move leaves a trail of
tears, and a military victory always lies in ruins.
The Masters do what needs doing and that's all they do. Do what you have
to do without arrogance or pride. Get the job done and don't brag about
it afterwards. Do what you have to do, not for your own benefit, but
because it needs to be done. And don't do it the way you think it should
be done, do it the way it needs to be done.
The mighty will always lose their power and any connection they ever had
to Tao. They will not last long; if you're not right with Tao, you might
as well be dead.
Weapons are terrible things. If you want to get right with Tao, reject
weapons.
The Master, knowing all things came from Tao, recognizes what he has in
common with his enemies and always tries to avoid conflict.
But when there is no other choice, he uses force reluctantly. He does so
with great restraint, and never celebrates a victory; to do so would be
to rejoice in killing. A person who would rejoice in killing has
completely lost touch with Tao.
When you win a war, you preside over a funeral. Pay your respects to the
dead.
Tao is an eternal mystery, so small you can never take hold of it.
If a leader gets right with Tao, people will follow him on instinct. All
will be right with the world. People will do the right thing without
being told.
Everything that comes from Tao needs a name. But once everything has its
name, you should make no other distinction between things. This prevents
you from becoming trapped by them.
Everything in the universe is full of Tao and leads to Tao, just like
the water in rivers that flows into oceans.
Knowing things makes you smart, but knowing yourself makes you wise. To
rule others, you must be powerful, but to rule yourself, you must be
strong.
If you have only what you need, you have true wealth. If you never give
up, you will find a way. If you stay true to yourself, you will never be
lost. If you stay alive your whole life, you've really lived.
Tao flows in all directions. It's in everything, but nothing can contain
it. Everything needs Tao, so Tao provides, and never expects anything in
return.
Everything comes from Tao, but Tao doesn't call attention to itself. It
wants for nothing. Think nothing of it.
Everything leads to Tao, but Tao doesn't call attention to itself.
Pretty impressive, huh?
It doesn't strive for success. That's why it succeeds.
When you get right with Tao, everybody wants to be your friend. When
they're around you, they can relax and enjoy themselves.
People can be easily distracted by music or good food. When we try to
talk about Tao, it seems boring by comparison.
It doesn't look like much. It doesn't sound like much. But no matter how
much you use, there's still plenty left.
To make something smaller, you need to appreciate its size. To make
something weaker, you must recognize its strength. To get rid of
something, you need to hold it tight. To take something, you must give
it up entirely.
To put it another way: Sensitivity and weakness overcome unfeeling
strength.
Tao never does anything but nothing is left undone.
If our leaders could get in touch with Tao, the world would take care of
itself. Even if they wanted to impose their own ideas, they'd be drawn
back to Tao's nameless simplicity.
When our lives are that simple, we want for nothing. We can relax, and
the world becomes a better place.
People with integrity don't even think about it. That's how you can tell
they have integrity. Other people talk about how much integrity they
have, when they really don't have much. If any.
Truly powerful people don't do anything, but they get the job done.
Other people are always busy doing something, but nothing ever gets
done.
When kind people act, they do so without thinking about it. When the
just act, they're always sure they're doing the right thing. But when
the righteous act, and nobody reacts, they try to force everyone to do
things their way.
If you're not in touch with Tao, at least you can still have integrity.
If you don't have integrity, there's always kindness. If you don't have
kindness, there's always justice. If you don't have justice, all you
have left is righteousness.
Righteousness is an pale imitation of true faith and loyalty, and always
leads to trouble. If you've already made up your mind, you don't know
the first thing about Tao, and you never will.
The Masters pay attention to what's beneath the surface. They'll look at
a tree's leaves, but eat the fruit. They turn all that down, so they can
accept this.
Since time began, this is what it's meant to be in touch with Tao:
Tao made the heavens clear. Tao made the earth solid. Tao made our
spirits strong. Tao made the valleys fertile. Tao gave all living things
life. Tao gave rulers authority.
Without Tao, the heavens would collapse. Without Tao, the earth would
crumble. Without Tao, our spirits would fade away. Without Tao, the
valleys would dry up. Without Tao, all life would become extinct.
Without Tao, rulers would stumble and fall.
Humility gives us power. Our leaders should think of themselves as
insignificant, powerless, unworthy of their stature. Isn't that what
humility is all about?
Be strong, but pay no attention to hollow praise. Don't call attention
to yourself. Don't make a scene.
Tao is always heading back to where it came from. Tao advances by not
pressing forward.
Things exist because they are. They are because they once were not.
When a wise person hears about Tao, he gets right with it. When an
ordinary person hears about Tao, he tries to get right with it, but
eventually gives up. When a fool hears about Tao, he just laughs and
laughs. If he didn't laugh, it wouldn't be Tao.
Here's what they find so funny: The path to enlightenment seems covered
in shadows. The way forward feels like taking a step back. The easiest
path seems difficult. Those with the most virtue seem debased. Those who
are most pure seem to be grubby and soiled. The deepest thoughts appear
shallow. The greatest strength looks like weakness. What is most real
strikes us as imaginary. The largest space has no boundaries. The
greatest talent seems to produce nothing. The greatest voice is
unhearable. The greatest beauty is invisible.
Tao is hidden to us and it has no name. It is the source and the
strength of all things.
Chapter 42 starts out with some cosmic mumbo-jumbo about Tao making one,
one making two, two making three, and three making everything else.
I don't know what it means, and, frankly, I wouldn't worry about it too
much.
Let's get to the practical part: Men hate to be called powerless,
insignificant, or unworthy, but that's how Masters describe themselves.
Because when we lose, we've won. And when we succeed, we've failed.
Other people will tell you what I'm telling you now: "Live by the sword,
die by the sword." That's pretty much what Chapter 42 boils down to.
(See Chapter 46 for more details.)
The softest force in the universe can overcome the hardest of objects.
Something without substance can pass through the space between atoms.
That's how I know about the power of doing nothing.
The silent teachings and the power of doing nothing can only be
understood by a few people.
What's more important, fame or your well-being? What's worth more, your
money or your life? What is more dangerous, winning or losing?
If you are too attached to your possessions, they will bring you misery.
If you hang on to your riches, you will suffer substantial loss. If you
know when you have enough, you will never be disgraced. If you practice
moderation, you can stay out of trouble.
And that's the secret to lasting success.
The greatest achievements may look like mistakes, but you will always be
able to build upon them.
The fullest reserves may seem empty, but you will always be able to draw
upon them.
The straightest line looks crooked. The most skilled people come off as
clumsy. The most eloquent people are usually silent.
When it's cold, you can move around to stay warm. When it's hot, you
should keep still and stay cool. But whatever the weather, if you stay
calm, the world will sort itself out around you.
"When the world is right with Tao," Lao Tzu said, "horses haul
fertilizer to the fields. When the world loses touch with Tao, horses
are trained for cavalry."
Nothing is more insidious than possession. Nothing is more dangerous
than desire. Nothing is more disastrous than greed.
If you know when enough is enough, you will always have enough.
You don't have to leave your room to understand what's happening in the
world.
You don't have to look out the window to appreciate the beauty of
heaven.
The farther you wander, the less you know.
The Masters don't wander around They know. They don't just look. They
understand. They don't do anything, but the work gets done.
Usually, we try to learn something new every day.
But if we want to get right with Tao, we have to let go of something
every day.
We do less and less, until we end up doing nothing. And it's when we do
nothing that we get the job done.
Let events take their course, and everything will turn out in your
favor. If you act on your ambitions, they will never pan out.
The Masters don't make up their minds. They turn their thoughts to other
people.
They are good to good people, and they're good to bad people. This is
real goodness.
They have faith in the faithful, and they have faith in the unfaithful.
This is real faith.
A Master throws himself into the world completely, forgetting everything
he's been told. People pay attention to him because he lives a life of
child-like wonder.
People who look for the secret of long life wind up dead.
Their bodies are the focus of their lives and the source of their death,
because they think a healthy body is all there is to life.
Lao Tzu used to say a man who truly understood life could walk through
the jungle without fear or across a battlefield without armor, totally
unarmed. Wild animals and weapons couldn't kill him.
I know, I know: what the hell does that mean? "Well, he couldn't be
killed," Lao Tzu said, "because his body wasn't where he kept his
death."
Tao is the source of all living things, and they are nourished by Tao's
power. They are influenced by the other living things around them, and
they are shaped by their circumstances.
Everything respects Tao and honors its power. That's just the way it is.
Tao gives life to all things, and its power watches out for them, cares
for them, helps them grow, protects them, and comforts them.
Create something without holding on to it. Do the work without expecting
credit for it. Lead people without giving them orders. That's the secret
of the power of Tao.
Everything starts with Tao, the mother of all things. If you know the
mother, you know the children. If you know the children and remember the
mother, you have nothing to fear in your life.
Shut your mouth and keep still, and your life will be full of happiness.
If you talk all the time, always doing something, your life will be
hopeless.
It takes insight to see subtlety. It takes strength to yield gently to
force. Use that strength to hang on to your insight, and you will always
be at peace. That's how to get right with Tao.
If I had any sense, I'd be trying to get right with Tao, and the only
thing I'd worry about would be messing up. It's not that hard to get
right with Tao, but people are easily distracted.
"When the king's palace is full of treasure," Lao Tzu said, "ordinary
people's fields are smothered with weeds, and the food supplies run
out."
Today, you see sharply dressed people carrying flashy weapons and living
the high life.
They own more than they could ever use, let alone need.
They're nothing but gangsters and crooks. That's not what Tao's about.
Tao's power is so deeply entrenched it can never be uprooted. Tao's
power clings so tightly it can never slip away. It will endure for
generations.
If you get in touch with the power of Tao, it will become real. If your
family gets in touch with the power of Tao, the power will flourish.
If your community gets in touch with the power of Tao, the power will
grow even stronger. If your country gets in touch with the power of Tao,
the power will become abundant.
If the world gets in touch with the power of Tao, the power will be
everywhere.
How can I know this? I just do.
A person filled with the power of Tao is like a baby boy: bees can't
sting him, wild beasts can't attack him.
A baby has soft bones and weak muscles, but a firm grip. He hasn't had
sex, but he can get an erection. That's because he's got lots of energy.
He can cry all day and never lose his voice. That's because he's at one
with his world.
If you're at one with the world, you know constancy. And if you know
constancy, you've been enlightened.
It's not healthy to try to prolong your life. It's unnatural to impose
the mind's will upon the body. People waste time and energy trying to be
strong or beautiful, and their strength and beauty fade. They've lost
touch with Tao, and when you lose touch with Tao, you might as well be
dead.
Those who know, don't talk. Those who talk, don't know.
Shut your mouth. Be still. Relax. Let go of your worries. Stay out of
the spotlight. Be at one with the world and get right with Tao.
If you get right with Tao, you won't be worried about praise or scorn,
about winning or losing, about honor or disgrace. That's the way to be.
You can run a country by sticking to principles, and you can win a war
with strategy and tactics. But you can gain the entire world by doing
nothing at all.
How do I know this? I've seen it happen: The more restrictions a nation
imposes, the poorer its people become. When a nation hoards weapons,
troubles arise from within and from without. When its leaders try to be
cunning and clever, the situation spins further out of control. When
they try to fix things by passing more laws, they only increase the
number of outlaws.
A wise leader says to himself: "I do nothing, and people transform
themselves. I keep silent, and they do the right thing on their own. I
stay out of the way, and they prosper. I want for nothing, and they lead
simple lives."
When a nation is ruled with a light touch, people lead simple lives.
When a government is harsh and demanding, people will spend their time
trying to outsmart it.
Happiness is rooted in misery, and misery lurks beneath all joy. Who
knows what could happen tomorrow?
Everything is relative; what's considered proper today may become
improper. Correct appearances may hide dishonesty and sinfulness.
No wonder so many people get confused.
The Masters have sharp minds, not sharp tongues. They are austere, but
never judgmental. They are straightforward, but not provocative. They
are brilliant, but not flashy.
Leadership is based on moderation. Practice moderation, and you'll get
in touch with the power of Tao.
If you get right with Tao, nothing is impossible. If you get right with
Tao, there's no limit to what you can do. If you get right with Tao, you
can be a true leader.
Remember this advice if you want to be a leader: Plant deep roots in
firm soil. Get right with Tao, and you'll always see things clearly.
Being a leader is like cooking a small fish; get right with Tao, and
it's quick and easy.
When you're in touch with Tao, you don't need to worry about misfortune.
You can't make it go away, of course, but you can keep it from harming
other people.
Also, as a wise leader, you cause no harm to others, so people won't
have to worry about getting hurt, and they'll take the opportunity to do
the right thing.
Power flows down to every level of existence like a river to the ocean.
Victory comes from lying perfectly still and waiting for power to come
your way.
If you yield to someone less powerful than yourself, you will be in a
position to influence them.
If you submit to someone more powerful than yourself, you create an
opportunity to get your own way.
So if you want to get ahead, lay low and bide your time. That way,
everybody's happy.
Every living thing gets its strength from Tao. Good people respect the
value of Tao. The wicked and foolish don't, but Tao provides for them
anyway.
Some people gain power and prestige through fancy words, others through
great deeds. But Tao is available to everyone, not just the powerful. So
don't look down on anybody.
When people become powerful, and everybody lines up to kiss their ass,
sit still and stay right with Tao.
Why have the Masters always respected Tao? Because when you get right
with Tao, you can always find swhat you need to get by, and trouble can
never find you.
Keep still. Don't work so hard. Learn to appreciate everyday life. Pay
attention to details. Start small and work your way up. When people give
you trouble, let it slide.
Break everything down to its essentials. Get the job done before it
becomes a chore.
With the right preparation, difficult tasks can be completed with ease;
every major project consists of simple steps.
The Masters don't take on more than they can handle, which is why they
can do just about anything.
Don't promise more than you can deliver, and don't underestimate the
task: You'll only make things harder for yourself.
The Masters are always aware of the difficulties involved, which is why
they never have to deal with them.
It's easy to maintain balance. Trouble can be nipped in the bud. Fragile
things break easily, and small things are easy to lose.
Deal with the situation before it becomes a problem. Keep everything
straight so it can't get messed up.
Every tree was once a seed. Every skyscraper started out with a
shovelful of dirt. And--stop me if you've heard this one before-- a
journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
When you try too hard, you defeat your own purpose. Cling to stuff, and
you will suffer loss. The Masters make no effort, so they never fail.
They aren't attached to things, so they never feel loss.
People often screw up when the job's nearly done. Pay as much attention
to the finishing touches as you do to the initial steps, and you won't
screw up like that.
The Masters try to be free from desire. They don't collect precious
things. They don't cling to any beliefs. They pay attention to what
everybody else ignores. They help the world get right with Tao, but
don't try to change a thing.
In ancient times, leaders who were right with Tao didn't teach everybody
how to become enlightened. They kept people's lives simple.
People who know too much can't be taught anything. Leaders who try to be
clever always screw things up. Leaders who keep things simple always
make things right.
If you get that, you'll understand the mysterious power of Tao.
That kind of power is so deep, so extensive, it penetrates into every
level of existence.
An ocean is greater than the hundred rivers that flow into it, and all
it does is wait to receive what they bring.
If you want to teach people, don't talk down to them. If you want to
lead them, find out where they want to go.
People love leaders who make them feel safe without smothering them.
They'll always support a leader like that, and because he doesn't try to
compete with anybody, nobody is able to compete with him.
Everywhere I go, people tell me, "Tao is so powerful, so immense, it's
inconceivable!"
But it's only powerful because it's inconceivable. If we could wrap our
minds around it, Tao would be just another thing.
The three most important qualities in life are compassion, or showing
kindness and mercy to others, moderation, or knowing what a thing is
worth, and modesty, or knowing your place in the world.
Courage stems from showing kindness and mercy to others. Generosity
starts with knowing what a thing is worth. True leadership begins with
knowing your place in the world.
But these days, I see everyone trying to act courageous without any
trace of compassion. They try to be generous but they don't practice
moderation in their own lives. They act like leaders, but they have no
sense of modesty. No good can come of this.
If you want to get ahead, show people compassion. When other people
attack you, defend yourself with compassion. It's the most powerful
force in the universe.
A true warrior never uses force with an attitude of pride or anger. A
true victor does not pursue vengeance. A true leader shows humility.
This is the power of modesty. It's the best way to deal with people.
It's always been an excellent way to get right with Tao.
There's an old military saying: "I'd rather face an attack than have to
make one. I'd rather retreat a foot than try to advance an inch."
That's the secret to moving forward while staying put, preparing for
battle without revealing your strength.
When you defend yourself without any show of force, you give your
opponent nothing to fight.
Attacking an enemy you've underestimated is a costly mistake. When two
forces oppose each other, the winner is the one most reluctant to fight.
Lao Tzu's advice was easy to understand and easy to follow. But nobody
understood him or did what he suggested.
His words stemmed from ancient wisdom, and his actions were highly
disciplined. People didn't get that, which is why they didn't understand
him. And the less they understood him, the more meaningful his advice
became.
That's why the Masters live simply, hiding their wisdom deep within
themselves.
If you know what you don't know, you're doing great. If you don't know
what you don't know, you're sick.
The only way to get rid of that sickness is to be sick of it.
The Masters aren't sick, because they got sick of being sick.
When you show no fear at all, the universe gives you something to really
be afraid of.
Don't try to fence people in or grind them down. Just let them be, and
they'll always be on your side.
The Masters know themselves, but they don't reveal themselves. They love
themselves, but they know what their lives are worth. They let go of all
that to concentrate on this.
Those who dare to be bold die. Those who dare to be careful survive.
So--what do you want to do?
Why is life like that, you ask? I don't know.
This is how Tao works: It doesn't push itself, and it always succeeds.
It acts silently, and it always reacts. It can't be summoned; it comes
whenever it's ready. It can't be rushed; it's always on time.
"Heaven casts a wide net, with big holes," Lao Tzu used to say, "but
nothing ever gets by it."
If people's lives suck, and they look forward to death, what good does
it do to threaten to kill them?
If people are afraid to die, and the wicked are condemned to death, then
who would dare to commit evil?
But that doesn't mean you or I can just take life and death into our own
hands. That'd be like walking up to an industrial buzzsaw and trying to
use it without any training. We'd only end up hurting ourselves.
People starve because the government taxes them to death. People rebel
because the government tries to run their lives. People act like life is
meaningless because the government takes everything they have.
People who know how to enjoy life are wiser than people who value their
lives.
A baby's body is soft and gentle. A corpse is hard and stiff. Plants and
trees are tender and full of sap. Dead leaves are brittle and dry.
If you are rigid and unyielding, you might as well be dead. If you are
soft and flexible, you are truly alive.
Soldiers trained to fight to the death will die. A tree that cannot bend
with the wind will snap.
Here's a useful saying: The harder they come, the harder they fall.
Here's another: The meek shall inherit the earth.
Lao Tzu said using Tao was like pulling on a bowstring: The top bends
down, the bottom bends up, and all the energy is focused in the middle.
Tao takes energy from where it is, and sends it where it needs to be.
But most people take from those who don't have enough, so those who have
too much already can have more.
So who in this world is truly generous to others? People who are in
touch with Tao. They do their work without taking credit. They get the
job done and move on. They aren't interested in showing off.
Nothing is softer or more yielding than water. Yet, given time, it can
erode even the hardest stone. That's how the weak can defeat the strong,
and the supple can win out over the stiff.
Everybody knows it. So why don't we apply it to our own lives?
Lao Tzu used to say: "Take on people's problems, and you can be their
leader. Deal with the world's problems, and you'll be a Master."
Sometimes the truth makes no sense.
Sometimes, when an argument is settled, feelings of resentment still
remain on either side. What's the point of carrying a grudge?
The Masters care about what they owe other people, not what other people
owe them.
People who are in touch with Tao do their duty. People who aren't try to
force others into submission.
Tao doesn't play favorites. But if you do right by Tao, Tao will do
right by you.
Lao Tzu had a dream about a small country with very few people.
They didn't need machines to get their work done faster. They took their
lives seriously, and stayed close to home.
They may have owned boats and carriages, but they never went anywhere.
They may have owned weapons, but they kept those weapons locked up,
securely hidden. They had so few responsibilities, they never had to
make a To-Do list to remember what had to be done.
They enjoyed simple foods, dressed plainly, lived comfortably, and kept
their traditions alive.
And even though their neighbors were so close they could hear the dogs
barking at night, they had no interest in leaving their homes, where
they grew old peacefully and died.
The truth isn't flashy. Flashy words aren't true.
Educated people aren't always smart. Smart people don't always have an
education.
Good people don't argue. People who argue aren't good.
The Masters don't hang on to things. They're always doing something for
other people, so they always have more to give. They give away whatever
they have, so what they have is worth more.
If you want to get right with Tao, help other people, don't hurt them.
The Masters always work with people, never against them.
---
License
THE WORK (AS DEFINED BELOW) IS PROVIDED UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS CREATIVE
COMMONS PUBLIC LICENSE ("CCPL" OR "LICENSE"). THE WORK IS PROTECTED BY
COPYRIGHT AND/OR OTHER APPLICABLE LAW. ANY USE OF THE WORK OTHER THAN AS
AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS LICENSE IS PROHIBITED.
BY EXERCISING ANY RIGHTS TO THE WORK PROVIDED HERE, YOU ACCEPT AND AGREE
TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS LICENSE. THE LICENSOR GRANTS YOU THE
RIGHTS CONTAINED HERE IN CONSIDERATION OF YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF SUCH TERMS
AND CONDITIONS.
1. Definitions
a."Collective Work" means a work, such as a periodical issue, anthology
or encyclopedia, in which the Work in its entirety in unmodified form,
along with a number of other contributions, constituting separate and
independent works in themselves, are assembled into a collective whole.
A work that constitutes a Collective Work will not be considered a
Derivative Work (as defined below) for the purposes of this License.
b."Derivative Work" means a work based upon the Work or upon the Work
and other pre-existing works, such as a translation, musical
arrangement, dramatization, fictionalization, motion picture version,
sound recording, art reproduction, abridgment, condensation, or any
other form in which the Work may be recast, transformed, or adapted,
except that a work that constitutes a Collective Work will not be
considered a Derivative Work for the purpose of this License.
c."Licensor" means the individual or entity that offers the Work under
the terms of this License. d."Original Author" means the individual or
entity who created the Work. e."Work" means the copyrightable work of
authorship offered under the terms of this License. f."You" means an
individual or entity exercising rights under this License who has not
previously violated the terms of this License with respect to the Work,
or who has received express permission from the Licensor to exercise
rights under this License despite a previous violation.
2. Fair Use Rights. Nothing in this license is intended to reduce,
limit, or restrict any rights arising from fair use, first sale or other
limitations on the exclusive rights of the copyright owner under
copyright law or other applicable laws.
3. License Grant. Subject to the terms and conditions of this License,
Licensor hereby grants You a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive,
perpetual (for the duration of the applicable copyright) license to
exercise the rights in the Work as stated below: a.to reproduce the
Work, to incorporate the Work into one or more Collective Works, and to
reproduce the Work as incorporated in the Collective Works; b.to
distribute copies or phonorecords of, display publicly, perform
publicly, and perform publicly by means of a digital audio transmission
the Work including as incorporated in Collective Works;
The above rights may be exercised in all media and formats whether now
known or hereafter devised. The above rights include the right to make
such modifications as are technically necessary to exercise the rights
in other media and formats. All rights not expressly granted by Licensor
are hereby reserved.
4. Restrictions. The license granted in Section 3 above is expressly
made subject to and limited by the following restrictions:
a.You may distribute, publicly display, publicly perform, or publicly
digitally perform the Work only under the terms of this License, and You
must include a copy of, or the Uniform Resource Identifier for, this
License with every copy or phonorecord of the Work You distribute,
publicly display, publicly perform, or publicly digitally perform. You
may not offer or impose any terms on the Work that alter or restrict the
terms of this License or the recipients' exercise of the rights granted
hereunder. You may not sublicense the Work. You must keep intact all
notices that refer to this License and to the disclaimer of warranties.
You may not distribute, publicly display, publicly perform, or publicly
digitally perform the Work with any technological measures that control
access or use of the Work in a manner inconsistent with the terms of
this License Agreement. The above applies to the Work as incorporated in
a Collective Work, but this does not require the Collective Work apart
from the Work itself to be made subject to the terms of this License. If
You create a Collective Work, upon notice from any Licensor You must, to
the extent practicable, remove from the Collective Work any reference to
such Licensor or the Original Author, as requested. b.You may not
exercise any of the rights granted to You in Section 3 above in any
manner that is primarily intended for or directed toward commercial
advantage or private monetary compensation. The exchange of the Work for
other copyrighted works by means of digital file-sharing or otherwise
shall not be considered to be intended for or directed toward commercial
advantage or private monetary compensation, provided there is no payment
of any monetary compensation in connection with the exchange of
copyrighted works. c.If you distribute, publicly display, publicly
perform, or publicly digitally perform the Work or any Collective Works,
You must keep intact all copyright notices for the Work and give the
Original Author credit reasonable to the medium or means You are
utilizing by conveying the name (or pseudonym if applicable) of the
Original Author if supplied; the title of the Work if supplied. Such
credit may be implemented in any reasonable manner; provided, however,
that in the case of a Collective Work, at a minimum such credit will
appear where any other comparable authorship credit appears and in a
manner at least as prominent as such other comparable authorship credit.
5. Representations, Warranties and Disclaimer
a.By offering the Work for public release under this License, Licensor
represents and warrants that, to the best of Licensor's knowledge after
reasonable inquiry: i.Licensor has secured all rights in the Work
necessary to grant the license rights hereunder and to permit the lawful
exercise of the rights granted hereunder without You having any
obligation to pay any royalties, compulsory license fees, residuals or
any other payments; ii.The Work does not infringe the copyright,
trademark, publicity rights, common law rights or any other right of any
third party or constitute defamation, invasion of privacy or other
tortious injury to any third party.
b.EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED IN THIS LICENSE OR OTHERWISE AGREED IN
WRITING OR REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE WORK IS LICENSED ON AN "AS
IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES REGARDING THE CONTENTS OR
ACCURACY OF THE WORK.
6. Limitation on Liability. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE
LAW, AND EXCEPT FOR DAMAGES ARISING FROM LIABILITY TO A THIRD PARTY
RESULTING FROM BREACH OF THE WARRANTIES IN SECTION 5, IN NO EVENT WILL
LICENSOR BE LIABLE TO YOU ON ANY LEGAL THEORY FOR ANY SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF
THIS LICENSE OR THE USE OF THE WORK, EVEN IF LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED
OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
7. Termination
a.This License and the rights granted hereunder will terminate
automatically upon any breach by You of the terms of this License.
Individuals or entities who have received Collective Works from You
under this License, however, will not have their licenses terminated
provided such individuals or entities remain in full compliance with
those licenses. Sections 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8 will survive any
termination of this License. b.Subject to the above terms and
conditions, the license granted here is perpetual (for the duration of
the applicable copyright in the Work). Notwithstanding the above,
Licensor reserves the right to release the Work under different license
terms or to stop distributing the Work at any time; provided, however
that any such election will not serve to withdraw this License (or any
other license that has been, or is required to be, granted under the
terms of this License), and this License will continue in full force and
effect unless terminated as stated above.
8. Miscellaneous
a.Each time You distribute or publicly digitally perform the Work or a
Collective Work, the Licensor offers to the recipient a license to the
Work on the same terms and conditions as the license granted to You
under this License. b.If any provision of this License is invalid or
unenforceable under applicable law, it shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of the remainder of the terms of this License, and
without further action by the parties to this agreement, such provision
shall be reformed to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision
valid and enforceable. c.No term or provision of this License shall be
deemed waived and no breach consented to unless such waiver or consent
shall be in writing and signed by the party to be charged with such
waiver or consent. d.This License constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties with respect to the Work licensed here. There are no
understandings, agreements or representations with respect to the Work
not specified here. Licensor shall not be bound by any additional
provisions that may appear in any communication from You. This License
may not be modified without the mutual written agreement of the Licensor
and You.