Tao Te Ching an Interpretive Version

The following interpretive translation is for those who are on the path of seeking.

Those who know that there is always more to be found and more to understand. 

Introduction.

My life began with no real desire to seek the meaning of life or any manual to help me find a sense of fulfilment. Rather I travelled the journey of life taking things as I found them. I found no need for deeper understanding or meaning I enjoyed the simple things of life around me. 

As I grew older I was challenged to give further thought to why I was here and did life itself have any meaning other than just to live. I was introduced in my late teens to the path of Christianity and the words of the Old and New Testaments. I learned, not always correctly, that there were two volumes that offered a depth and a meaning to life that could be found nowhere else. 

After studying for a degree in Theology and Divinity I became a Minister of Religion. It was now my task to become a teaching member of the church and to help others to find meaning in the words of those spiritual volumes. My life followed this path for the next twenty years before I really began to question once again what I had learned and was teaching to others.

I left the ministry and returned to university where I prepared to become a teacher in Scottish Education. Now I was to share knowledge not only of Christianity but also of other world religions including, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Shikism, Islam and Judaism. It was a very fast learning curve managing to stay ahead of my students by constant study and research.

It was during this that I discovered Taoism and Tai Chi and more importantly the Tao Teh Ching the work of Lao Tzu. 

Here I found one of the most cherished and most frequently translated works of wisdom. I found the pages full of a simple yet profound knowledge and understanding. In these words, I learned of the Sage Lao Tzu, "The Exalted One". 

Lao Tzu was a seeker after wisdom and left the confines of society and to live in harmony with nature. It was while living in such solitude that he was encouraged to write down his words of wisdom and share what he had learned. His writing has since become the classic Tao Te Ching. Tao means the integral truth of the universe, Te means putting the teachings into action and Ching means serious and spiritual guidance.

I found this work added depth of meaning to my life that deep down I was aware I had been searching for during my time as a young man as a butcher and as a minister of religion. At last, I had found words that spoke to me and taught me how to live at peace with myself and in harmony with nature. I had found words that reached into my times of dark despair to lift me gently back and set me once again on my forward journey.

I have studied and meditated on many translations of this work making notes over the years and here I share with you the insight I have gained in words that have helped my understanding of the text.

1

If you can describe  Tao it is not  Tao

If you can name something it is not eternal.
Tao does not have a name

Because that with a name is just an ordinary thing.

If you can free yourself from desire, you will begin to understand the great mystery.

Caught in desire you can only be aware of other things you want.

If you can figure out the difference between desire and things

You have begun to understand the way of Tao.

2

If you can see something as beautiful,

It can only be because you are aware of what we mean by ugly.

If you consider something as good,

This can only be because you are aware of what is meant by bad.

Existing and not existing create each other.

To find something easy you have to experience difficult.

A short distance can only be so once you understand a long journey.

High is meaningless if you do not know low.

Before and after complement each other.

The sage can act without doing anything

The wise can teach without uttering a word.

Things happen to us and we accept it

Bad things disappear when we let them go.

We have things but do not necessarily own them,

We can act without being aware of what to expect.

When the task is done we should forget it.

That way it will last and have meaning.

3

If  you are too free with compliments

Others will waste your time seeking your attention.

If you put a great amount of value on things,

Others may be attracted to steal and deprive you of peace.

The sage, therefore, teaches the loss of trivial desire.

He shows the value of the things that matter.

The sage teaches you not to flaunt knowledge.

You will then not be misguided by others or be puffed up.

Stop striving and see how much can be achieved.

4

The Tao is like an empty vessel.

It can be used and yet never filled,

it is like a container full of tens of thousands of possibilities

It can take the edge off harsh thoughts.

It can soften the glare.

Can make all things merge.

you cannot see the Tao but it is always there.

I do not know from whence it came.

It is older than the earliest thought of gods.

5

The Universe and Earth are impartial;

They treat all things as equal giving birth to good and evil.

The sage does not take sides they treat all the same

Tao is like bellows.

It is empty yet can achieve much.

The more you use the Tao the more it gives you.

But if you spend too much time talking about it;

 the less you will understand.

Hold on to the Tao and speak not of what you do not understand.

6

Tao could be called the Great Mother:

Empty yet inexhaustible always more to give,

It gives birth to everything in the universe.

It is always present within even when you are not aware.

When you use it; it will never fail you.

7

The Tao is eternal it will last forever,

Why is the Tao eternal?

It always was, it was not born,

therefore it can never die.

Like the tao the sage has no desires for themselves;

Thus it and they are present for all beings.

The sage is detached, therefore at one with all things.

They do not worry about what they cannot control.

Through selfless actions, he attains fulfilment.

8

The highest good and doing the right thing is like water.

Water gives life to the tens of thousands of things, to all things.

It does not strive it simply flows, never thinking where it is going.

It goes to places others reject so it is like the Tao.

Be close to the land, keep your feet on the ground.

When you meditate think deeply.

be there for others when they need you.

Be kind and gentle in speech, speak the truth.

if in a position of power be just and fair.

Try to be competent in all actions.

In all things be aware of the seasons. 

Do not compare yourself with others.

If you do this nobody will compare you and there will be no need to fight.

9

It is better to stop before you have too much of anything.

A blade that has been sharpened too much is ineffective.

If you gather a wealth of possessions,

you will worry all the time that they are safe.

If you claim wealth or a high position.

There is a higher chance of failure and disaster.

Do what has to be done then walk away.

This is the way to peace and serenity.

10

Can you concentrate on the Tao and keep your mind from wandering?

Can you let your body become supple and ready to embrace a new life?

Can you cleanse your inner being so that all you can see is good?

Can you love others and lead them without imposing your will upon them?

Can you deal with the important things in life by letting things take their course?

Can you step back from your own mind and understand bigger things?

Starting something new without being overcome by it.

Working without looking for credit.

Leading without dominating.

For this is the way of the Tao.

11

A wheel has many spokes connecting to the hub.

It is that hole in the centre that allows it to be useful.

We can create a bowl from clay or glass,

But it is the space within that makes it useful.

We can erect a house with windows and doors,

it is the space within in which we live and the spaces of doors and windows that let us enter.

Therefore what exists is useful;

But even more, use comes from that which is not there.

12

Colours can blind the eye of sight.

Noise can deafen the ear to sound.

Too many flavours can distort the palette.

Running here and there can lead to madness.

Precious things can lead us from that which is important.

The sage is therefore guided by what he feels and not only by the senses.

The sage keeps attention focused on what is real.

13

Accept failure when it comes.

Accept misfortune it is part of life.

Do not concern yourself with gain or loss.

Accept things as they come and with grace.

Misfortune is part of the human condition.

It comes your way because you have a body and are alive.

Surrender to things humbly.

This will you will be trusted to care for things.

Love the world and love yourself,

in this way, you can truly care for all things.

14

No matter how hard you look for it you will not see the Tao.

It is the same no matter how hard you listen you will not hear its sound.

You cannot grasp it or hold it because it seems out of reach.

These three things cannot be described any further;

They are as one.

If you look from above or below it is neither dark nor light,

it is an unbroken thread that is beyond description.

Although it returns to nothing a form of formless.

An image that cannot be described,

It is beyond our imagination.

If you stand before it you will not see its beginning,

Likewise, it also has no end.

Stay with this ancient Tao,

Go with the flow, at ease with your life.

This knowing of the tao is the very essence of life itself.

15

The ancient sages and masters were subtle and mysterious,

They were profound and responsive to others.

The depth of their knowledge was unfathomable.

All we can do is try to describe their appearance.

Watchful, like men crossing a stream inflow,

Alert, like they are aware of the danger.

Courteous, like visiting guests.

Yeilding like ice ready to melt.

Simple like uncarved blocks of wood.

Empty, like caves, but cloudy like muddy pools.

We must learn to wait while the mud settles.

We must wait patiently until it is time to act.

Observervers of the Tao can be still until events unfold and ready to do the right thing.

When we act without high expectations not swayed by a desire to change.

Then with the Tao, they can accomplish many things.

16

It is worthy to take time to still the mind and empty yourself of all thoughts.

Let the mind become still and at peace.

Watch the turmoil of all creation,

But contemplate their return to the source.

All things, in the end, return to where they began.

This is the way of nature.

Knowing this constancy opens the mind.

When the mind is open you will become openhearted.

Being openhearted you will act caringly.

Being caring you will attain a sense of true being.

This will bring you the peace of being at one with the Tao.

Being at one with the Tao will take away all fear even of dying.

Because you will be fully aware that this is the way of life.

17

When a true master takes charge people hardly notice he is leading.

Then there is the master who leads through love.

Then there are those who lead by creating fear.

Lastly, there are those who are despised.

Those who do not trust and show respect,

they will not be trusted or respected.

True masters do not give orders or issue commands,

they work alongside everybody else.

This way when the job is completed,

everybody is happy that they have managed to achieve what they have accomplished.

18

When people lose touch with the Tao,

they begin to talk about the need for morality and kindness.

When people forget what is the truth,

hypocrisy is close behind.

When people lose respect for one another,

they begin to talk about political correctness and family values.

When the country is confused and in chaos,

people begin to talk about patriotism.

19

Give up striving to be seen as a saint,

Stop trying to show how clever you are,

Do this and it will be a hundred times better for everyone.

Give up fake kindness and morality,

Then we will rediscover family love and be caring.

Give up false ingenuity and striving for constant profit,

Bandits and thieves will be no more.

These things are an outward show,

they can never be sufficient in themselves.

It is more important To see simplicity,

To realise and be true to yourself,

Cast aside selfishness,

hold on to simplicity.

Put others before yourself.

And desire, less.

20

Stop constantly thinking, and your problems will begin to cease.

What is the difference between yes and no?

What is the difference between success and failure?

Surely we need not fear what others fear?

It is obvious that this is nonsense.

Other people seem to be content living as if all of life was a festival.

Constantly feasting and enjoying the trivialities.

I alone am not concerned about such things,

I am like an infant that has yet to learn to smile,

but it is still content.

Others seem to have more than they need,

I alone seem to have nothing.

I am the fool, I am the one who is confused.

Others seem clear and bright,

whereas I seem dim and weak.

Others are clever and sharp,

I am dull and stupid.

I seem to drift like the waves of the ocean,

Without direction, like a restless wind.

Everyone seems so busy,

while I am aimless and depressed

But I am not like the est,

I am nourished not by these things but by the Tao.

21

The greatest virtue is to follow the Tao and the Tao alone.

The Tao is elusive and seems beyond reach.

It is both intangible and elusive, and yet within is an image.

Yes, it is intangible and elusive, yet within there is form.

It is dark and dim, and yet it is the very essence of life.

This essence is so very real,

and in this, we can find order and meaning.

From the very beginning of time, the Tao has never been forgotten.

It is because of the Tao I can perceive and know creation.

How do I know where creation comes from?

I look inside myself and see it and feel it.

22

You have to learn how to stop and be still

if you ever want to go places and move forward.

If you want to stand tall,

if you want to find wisdom.

You must first learn to empty the mind.

The wise embrace the Tao,

They set an example for others.

The put on no display of show,

Yet they still shine forth.

They neither justify themselves.

They are distinguished.

Not boastful.

They get recognition.

They never falter.

Neither do the quarrel.

No one, therefore, wishes to quarrel with them.

Therefore the sage says, "Yield and you will overcome."

That may seem an empty saying.

But by being really whole,

All things will come to you.

23

Express yourself by saying what needs to be said,

then say no more, keep quiet.

Heavy rain never lasts all day.

High winds eventually stop blowing.

Why is this?

Because this is the way of nature.

nature cannot make things eternal that last forever.

How then can it be possible for humans to keep on talking forever?

The person who follows the Tao,

Who is at one with the Tao.

Experiences virtue.

The one who loses the way is lost.

When you are at one with the Tao.

The Tao welcomes you.

If you open yourself to insight,

you can see wonderful things and be at peace.

If you are ready to fail, you have to live with failure.

Open your mind to the tao, then trust yourself and your responses.

When you do this everything else will fall into place

If you do not trust,

you will not be trusted.

24

If you stand on the tips of your toes you will not feel steady.

those who strides out at a pace

finds it difficult to maintain this.

The person who puts on a show is not enlighted.

The self-righteous never gain respect.

The one who boasts,

have in reality nothing much to offer.

According to the tao,

these things are all extra baggage and unnecessary.

They can never bring happiness.

Those who follow the Tao avoid such things.

25

Before the universe came into existence

there was something in the midst of the chaos

It was there in the midst of all things silent and alone.

Ever present and in motion.

Possibly the mother of all things.

Its name was not known,

I do not know its name so I call it the Tao.

it could just as easily be called great.

It flows through all things,

and returns to the origin of all things.

The Tao is great

The universe is great,

Humanity is great

The earth is great.

These are indeed the four great things.

If you can be in touch with the Tao.

Then you will also be in touch with the earth.

if you can be in touch with the Tao,

then you will also be at one with nature and creation.

26

If you are to be steady on your feet,

you need to be steady in your mind.

To understand heavy you have to be aware of light.

Being still is the master of unrest.

The sage travelling all day,

and yet still see all she owns.

There might be beautiful things on the path

to be seen and experienced.

But the sage still stays steady and calm.

It is so easy to run around thoughtlessly,

lightly and unthinking.

This is how we lose our bearings.

in life, if you act without thinking,

it is a sure thing you will lose self-control.

27

A good walker walks lightly, leaving no tracks or marks.

A good speaker does so without making slips of the tongue.

A good counter needs no calculator.

It is possible to make a door that nobody can enter,

without there having to be a lock.

Somethings can be made secure without knots.

yet it is still safe from prying fingers.

The sage takes care of all things

Abandons no one and loses sight of nothing.

This is called, "Following the light."

What is a good person?

The teacher of the weak student.

What is a bad person?

A good man's concern.

If the teacher is not respected.

The student not cared for.

There will be nothing but confusion.

However clever one is.

This is just the fact of life,

the crux of mystery.

28

Know the strength of the male,

But hold onto the sensitivity of the female.

Know both the Yin and the Yang.

Be the stream for the universe!

With such power in your life

in harmony with the Tao

Ever true and unwavering.

Return to the Tao.ao.

You will be ever true and unswerving.

you will be as a child once more.

Know the white,

But also keep the black!

Be an example to the world!

ever true and unwavering, Return again to the Tao.

Know honour,

But remain humble.

Be the valley of the universe

Ever true and resourceful.

Return to the state of the uncarved block.

When the block is carved, it becomes all sorts of useful things.

When the sage uses it,

he takes control

Great works do not require you to discard your substance.

29

Do you think you can change the universe and improve it?

I do not believe this can be done.

The universe is sacred.

You cannot improve.

If you try to change it, you may ruin it.

If you try to hold it you may lose it.

So sometimes things are ahead of you and sometimes they are behind.

Sometimes breathing can be hard,

sometimes it comes easily,

Sometimes there is a strength,

at other time weakness.

Sometimes we can be up, other times down.

Ther is a time for all things,

A time for motion,

time to rest.

A time for being vigorous, A time to be tired.

The sage see things as they are,

Accepts things as they are.

Makes no effort to control them.

The sage at all times avoids extremes, excess and complacency.

30

If you ever thought you would like to be a leader,

Then stay in touch with the Tao.

Never use violence to achieve anything.

To use violence only makes others resist.

For every force, there is always a counter force.

So even well-intentioned violence will be rebound upon ourselves.

The sage does that which needs to be done, then no more.

He stops.

The sage realises that we should never take advantage of power.

Achieve results,

But never glory in them.

Achieve results,

But never boast in them.

Achieve results, But never be proud.

Achieve results,

But never through the use of violence.

The use of force is followed by a loss of strength.

This is never the way of the Tao.

That which goes against the tao,

comes to an early end.

31

Weapons are the tools of violence,

all decent people should detest them.

Followers of the Tao never use them.

Weapons are the tools of fear;

decent people will only ever use them when they have no choice.

Peace and quiet should be dear to the hearts of all.

Victory should never be a cause for rejoicing.

If you rejoice in victory,

then you are in fact delighting in killing;

If you delight in such killing,

you cannot ever fulfil yourself.

On happy occasions,

precedence is given to the left,

On sad occasions to the right.

In the army the general

stands on the left,

The commander in chief stands on the right.

This tells us that war is conducted like a funeral.

When many people are killed,

They should be mourned in heartfelt sorrow.

This is why a victory should not be celebrated

but observed like a funeral.

32

The Tao is an eternal mystery it will never be defined.

Even though it is small in its unformed state, it cannot be grasped.

If powerful men and women

can remain centred in the Tao,

all things will remain in harmony.

The world would be almost a paradise of peace and contentment.

All people would be at peace with one another,

the law of life would be written in their hearts.

Everything that comes from the Tao has to be named.

But once everything has its name,

there is no need to give it any other names.

We must all know when to stop.

Knowing when to stop keeps trouble at bay.

All things belong in the Tao, this is where all things end.

It is like the rivers all flow and ends up in the sea.

33

Those who pay attention to others are intelligent;

Knowing the self is the start of wisdom.

Mastering others, you must be powerful,

To rule yourself,

you must be strong.

When you are aware that you have enough you are indeed rich.

Perseverance is a sign of good willpower.

If you can stay true to yourself,

you will never be lost.

If you stay alive and alert your whole life,

you will indeed have truly lived.

34

The great Tao flows everywhere,

both to the left and to the right.

All things are born from the tao,

yet it is not the creator.

The Tao fulfils its purpose silently

and makes no claim.

It nourishes all things,

Yet it does not Lord over anything or anyone.

It has no aim; it is very small.

All things return to it,

Yet it is not their lord.

It is very great.

Tao does not strive for success.

yet that is why it is truly great.

35

When you manage to live at one with the Tao,

you will find that many wish to be your friend,

they will see in your life rest and peace and happiness.

Passersby may stop for music and good food,

and be distracted.

When they hear of the Tao,

it seems by comparison to good food and music boring.

It sounds like not worthy of having.

But the truth is unlike food and music it cannot be exhausted.

36

If you want to make something smaller

You first have to know the expanse of it.

Before you can weaken or dilute something,

You have first to be aware of its strength.

Before you can get rid of something,

You first have to be able to hold it as yours.

Before there can be any real taking,

There has to have been some giving.

This is true understanding,

a true perception of the nature of things.

Fish cannot survive out of deep water,

it is best to keep your thoughts and workings to yourself.

37

TheTao never does anything.

The best way is not to seek to do good,

but to allow yourself to just be good.

If our leaders could grasp this and be in touch with the tao,

the world would become a better place of its own accord.

They would lead by following the simple ways of life,

There would be less greed and desire.

When desire lessens,

peace and tranquillity increase.

In this way, all things would be in harmony.

38

Truly good people are not aware of their goodness,

this is what makes them good.

Foolish people try to be good without sincerity,

They, therefore, fail to be good.

A truly good person does nothing,

but nothing is left undone.

The foolish are constantly running around doing.

yet much remains still needing to be done.

When truly kind people act

They do not have to think about their actions.

When  the disciplinarian wants something done,

and nobody responds to the demands.

This person tries to force others to act as they wish them to.

If we lose touch with the Tao,

we can try and hold onto goodness,

when we lose touch with goodness,

we can try to hold onto kindness.

When we lose touch with kindness,

we can try and hold onto justice.

Once we have lost hold of justice we are on the way to confusion.

Confusion is the first stage towards folly.

The truly great holds onto what is real and meaningful,

they go beyond surface shallow things.

Rather than contemplate the tree,

they are nourished by the fruit.

39

When we are in harmony with the Tao,

The sky is clear and spacious and we can enjoy,

The earth is solid and full,

all things flourish together.

Tao makes our spirits lift and strong,

Things grow and find renewal and life.

When we interfere with the Tao,

the sky becomes polluted,

the earth produces less and is depleted.

There is no longer a sense of equilibrium,

disharmony increases,

creatures become extinct.

The sage considers all things with compassion.

They understand things as a whole, not its parts,

they practice all things humbly.

Leaders should follow this example.

Rather than seek wealth and praise.

We should let ourselves be shaped by the Tao,

not calling attention to ourselves,

ignoring hollow praise.

40

Returning to from whence it came is the way of the Tao.

Yielding is the way of the Tao.

Things exist simply because they are.

They know they are because they are aware that they once were not.

41

When a wise student hears of the Tao,

he immediately begins to try and learn more of it

and to take it to himself.

The average student hears of the Tao,

gives it some thought now and again

and then gives up on it.

The foolish student hears of the Tao,

laughs out loud.

If this student did not laugh it would not have been the Tao he had heard of.

What is it that makes them laugh?

after hearing they hear that the bright path seems dim.

Going forward seems like taking a backward step.

The easy way seems to be so difficult.

The direct path seems like a very long journey.

The level path seems to be very rough.

Having true virtue does not seem to be adequate.

Strength seems to fail and become weak,

the perfect square seems to be without corners.

Great talents seem to produce little.

Even the most beautiful notes seem to be difficult to hear.

We are told that the greatest form has no shape.

The Tao is out of sight and has no name.

It all seems so confusing.

What we can know is that it is the Tao alone comes to full fruition.

42

The Tao gives birth to One.

One gives birth to Two

Two gives birth to Three.

Three gives birth to all things.

All things carry Yin and embrace yang.

When male and female combine,

all things achieve a real sense of harmony.

People despise being orphaned, widowed and poor.

They do not like to feel powerless and alone.

The sage takes such things and makes the most of it.

Embracing his solitude,

realises he has found harmony with the whole universe.

43

The gentlest things in the world,

overcome the hardest of things.

That which is without substance,

enter the tiniest of space.

In this, I can learn the value of non-action.

Teaching without words,

performing without action.

These are difficult things to understand.

It is the way of the master and only a few can grasp it.

44

Here are three questions.

Fame or self, which is the most important?

Self or wealth, Which is more precious?

Gain or loss, which causes the most pain?

If we are attached to things we will suffer much.

Saving much can bring much suffering.

if our happiness depends on wealth,

we will never be happy with ourselves.

The contented person is seldom if ever disappointed.

They who know when to stop,

never find themselves in trouble.

When we realise we are lacking nothing,

you will feel as if the whole world belongs to you.

45

We can achieve great things and they never seem great or perfect.

But no matter how great they are we can still achieve even more.

The spring of learning and achievement can never empty,

or be exhausted.

often things that are straight, seem twisted.

Often wise and intelligent things seem silly.

The most eloquent of voice is often lost for words.

When we are cold we can move around and find warmth.

When it is warm we can stay still and find cool.

In all things, if we stay calm and tranquil,

the world will sort all things for us.

46

When Tao is present,

and the world is in harmony with it,

factories make ploughshares and trucks.

When there is no harmony and the Tao is ignored.

Weapons of destruction are made ready,

and we talk of war.

There is nothing worse than desire,

There is nothing more dangerous than being discontent.

There is nothing more disconcerting than suffering from greed. 

When a person knows they have enough they will always have enough.

47

Without going outside,

it is possible to know the world in your inner self.

Without looking out of the window,

it is possible to be aware of the universe.

The farther we wander and stray,

the less we know.

The sage knows these things without travelling.

They do not just look,

they understand.

They do not fret about toiling but all things get done.

48

In the pursuit of learning,

every day is like a school day, we learn at least one new thing.

In the pursuit of Tao,

we learn to let go of the things that keep us back.

Less and less is done,

until we have learned non-action.

In this state, all things are done and life moves on.

If we are constantly striving to achieve and do things,

things seldom go as we hoped.

When we allow life to take its course,

things work in our favour.

49

The sage does not spend his day thinking of himself,

He turns his thoughts towards other people.

They are good and caring towards good people,

equally, they are good and caring towards bad people.

This is real goodness.

The sage puts his faith in people who are faithful

They also put their faith in those who are faithless.

This is the true virtue. 

The sage in his quiet unassuming way stays humble,

this often confuses those who see him.

Those who take time to pay attention,

notice that he is, in fact, full of a childlike wonder.

From this, we can learn much.

50

Between birth and death lies life.

Many are the followers of life, many of them celebrate death

the rest just go from birth to death thinking nothing.

The last has no understanding of life and death at all.

The master said of those who had grasped life and celebrated it had no fear.

They could walk through a jungle fearless.

They could cross a battlefield without fear.

Things are thus said, Lao Tzu, because they are neither afraid of life or death.

51

All of creation has come into being because of the tao.

They are nourished by the power of the tao.

They are shaped by the environment.

Their lives are influenced by the things of nature that surround them.

They hold the Tao in high regard and respect.

The Tao does not demand their respect,

they give it freely.

Because they know the nature of things.

All things arise from the Tao,

By virtue, they are nourished.

They are developed, cared for, 

Sheltered, comforted.

Grown, and protected.

They create without claiming ant credit for what they do.

They offer guidance without interfering.

This is the deep secret of the power of the Tao.

52

Tao is the creator of all things,

the mother of all things.

If you are aware of the mother,

you also know the sons,

Knowing the sons yet remaining in touch with the mother,

This is what brings freedom from the fear of death.

Keep your mouth still,

Guard the senses,

This way life will be full and there will be happiness.

Open your mouth and be forever chattering,

always busy doing something,

Life loses some of its meaning.

Understanding the small things brings insight.

Knowing when to yield is the real strength.

By keeping your understanding and strength you will be at peace,

Living without fear comes from being at one with the Tao.

53

If I had any sense at all,

I would be following the path that leads to the Tao.

I would be constantly checking to make sure I was not straying from this way.

You would think keeping to the main way would be simple,

but we are all constantly tempted to be sidetracked.

When the court is arrayed in all sorts of splendour,

And the palaces are full of riches,

The fields of the people are full of weeds, and barns lie bare of food.

Some are arrayed

 in beautiful rich clothes, and they indulge themselves, with food and drink.

They have more possessions than they could ever need or use.

They are the robber barons.

This is certainly not the way that leads to the Tao.

54

When something is firmly rooted,

it is almost impossible to uproot it.

Whoever embraces and is rooted in the Tao,

will not slip away.

Her name will be honoured from one generation to the next.

Cultivate goodness in your life,

and your sense of virtue will be real.

Cultivate virtue and goodness in the family,

The family will flourish and grow in virtue.

Cultivate it in the village and community

and goodness will be shared.

Cultivate it in the nation,

And virtue will be abundant.

Cultivate it in the universe.

And the power of the Tao will be everywhere.

Then observe the person and see the person for what they are,

Observe the family and see it for what it does.

Observe the village and see the goodness in what happens.

Observe the universe for what it does and see the goodness.

How do I know that this is true?

Because I can see it inside myself and know.

55

Those who are in harmony with the Tao,

are like newborn children.

Their bones are soft and pliable,

the muscles are still weak.

But the grip is powerful.

It still has not experienced the union of man and woman.

But they are whole,

their manhood and womanhood are strong.

They can scream all day without ever becoming hoarse.

This is perfect harmony.

When we know and feel harmony in our lives have a sense of constancy.

Knowing this constancy is near to enlightenment.

It is not wise to rush about,

Let all things come and go

without expending energy, and without foolish desire.

Accept things as they happen,

never build up false hopes for results

This is never the way of the Tao

That which is not in harmony with the Tao,

never lasts or grow in spirit.

56

Those who know, do not talk,

those who do not know talk all the time.

Stop talking,

listen and meditate in silence.

Calm the sharp thoughts,

Stay out of the spotlight

and release all the worries.

allow the inner light to show through,

and become one with the dust.

Settle as it does,

doing this you will know your inner being.

Those who have achieved this peaceful state,

concern themselves not, they need not be made noble,

and they will not suffer disgrace.

They have reach

ed the highest state possible.

57

If you would wish to be a great leader,

You must first learn to follow the Tao.

Stop trying to control others,

Let go of all the plans and schemes.

The world will look after itself.

The more we construct laws and put restrictions in place.

The poorer people become.

When we secure and store weapons

the less secure people feel.

The more subsidies we put in place,

the less secure people find themselves.

The sage says let go all the rules and laws,

encourage people to become honest.

Leave all the economics and watch people become rich.

Let go religion

you will see people become less judgemental and more serene.

Let go all desire.

watch people return to a good and simple life.

58

When the country is ruled with a light touch

The people live simple lives.

When the country is ruled in a severe way.

People become cunning and devious.

good things often come out of disaster

often disaster lurks around the corner of good fortune.

Who knows why things happen? 

and who knows when things begin or end?

Good things so often change to bad

and often that which started badly turns out good.

It is difficult to comprehend these things.

The sage can be sharp but not cutting,

Pointed but not piercing.

Straightforward without imposing their will.

Radiant, and easy on the eye.

59

There is nothing better in life than moderation

the mark of a moderate person,

is freedom from the imposition of their will,

Those who follow the Tao will be tolerant and full of virtue.

in this state, there is nothing that cannot be achieved

If nothing is impossible there are no limits,

If a man no limits,

he is fit to be in control.

Remember this,

if you wish to be a good leader.

Plant deep roots in the firm soil.

Grow deep in the Tao, 

then you will see things in a new light and clearly see the way ahead.

60

Being a leader, or ruling a land is like cooking small fish

Too much stirring and prodding can spoil the meal.

Approach the task with the help of the Tao

then any evil will lose its power and have no hold.

It is not that evil no longer exists,

it is simply that it has lost its power over you.

When you lead in the power of the Tao

evil loses all hold over you,

So be a leader like the sage.

The sage shuns all use of violence.

Give evil no room and you will be free from worry.

Goodness will return and embrace you.

61

A great country should be like the lower reaches of the sea.

It is here that all the rivers of the universe meet.

The mother of the universe.

The Ying, the female, from this low place overcomes the male,

Lying low and still, she gathers power by being with Tao.

Being peaceable one assumes this lower position.

Therefore if a great country, rather than bullying, take this way,

and gives way to the smaller country.

it will be able to influence the smaller.

Likewise, if the smaller country lowers itself to greet the larger.

In this way, it will win the friendship of the greater,

and gain its support.

If we wish to win we will do so by taking the lower position, the humble way.

So both take the lower position,

and in doing so they meet and help each other.

So it is by being with Tao.

We lie low and wait until we are strong.

This way everybody will gain peace.

62

Tao supports and gives strength to all things.

It is the treasure and strength of the good,

at the same time, it offers refuge to the bad.

It does not differentiate between the two.

Good words and flattery can sometimes bring prestige.

Good deeds and actions can offer more to others in need.

Some people may stray from the path,

The Tao will never abandon such people,

it will continue to offer support.

So at the installation of a ruler,

or the appointment of the highest ministers of the land,

rather than present them with gifts of gold,

or gifts of fine horses or art,

rather show them the priceless way of Tao.

Why did the ancient sages value and hold in regard the subtle way of the Tao?

Did they not teach that the seeker will not find what they seek?

But they also taught that we can be rid of the error of our ways.

This is why Tao is the treasure of the world.

63

Be still, nothing is achieved by rushing around doing.

Things which have not been made can be made without too much effort.

Enjoy the simple things of life.

Treat all things and people equally

When faced with unkindness return kindness.

It is best to begin sorting out problems before they become unmanageble.

Do not make mountains out of molehills.

The sage deals with the little things and achieves greatness.

 Not paying attention to the little things can result in great problems.

The sage never experiences difficulties because they are dealt with early.

64

Peace can be maintained if we tackle difficult thing while they are still easy.

Troubles can be caught before they have time to develop.

handle things that could turn out rough,

while it is still smooth.

Learn to deal with things before they have truly formed.

Set things in order before confusion arises,

Attend to the small things.

A tree that is as wide as a human can embrace,

began from a small seed.

A skyscraper begins with a small cornerstone.

A journey of a thousand miles,

begins with the first little step.

Promises that are not kept make for little trust.

The persons who try too hard defeat their own purpose.

People so often fail when they have almost accomplished the task.

Continue to concentrate from the start to the finish.

Do not try to grasp easy answers, you only lose.

Be like the sage who seeks freedom from desire.

They do not surround themselves with precious things

They do not cling to false ideas.

They pay attention to the small things often ignored.

The sage helps all to find their true nature,

but they do so without forcing people to change.

65

In ancient times those who were well versed,

and new the subtle ways of the universe.

Did not try to confuse people with their clever words and thinking.

They kept things simple and straightforward.

Instead, they were able to help people understand things that might have seemed contradictory,

keeping things in a natural state of simplicity.

Leaders who try to be smart and clever when ruling,

lead the country into calamity with their cleverness.

Those who lead with simplicity are a blessing to all.

To know the difference between being smart and clever and keeping things true and simple.

This is the way of Tao.

if you are able to keep this in your mind,

then you can lead others without difficulty because it flows naturally.

Understanding and truth leads people to integrity,

away for confusion and divergence,

to one great and universal harmony and unity.

66

How is it that the sea is the Queen of all rivers?

By lying lower they all flow towards her.

In this way, she becomes the queen of all rivers and streams.

If you wish to teach or rule others,

first, you must learn to be humble before them.

Do not talk down to people,

put the interest of those you wish to teach before your own.

This is the way of the sage,

to rule and teach without making people feel oppressed.

People will know that they are not being manipulated,

They will not feel that she is a burden to them.

Rather, they will be taught and led and be joyful in the process.

The wise teacher and ruler do not compete with anyone.

She is above all competition.

67

Everybody seems to agree that the teaching of  Tao

is marvellous and great,

But for many, it is little more than words,

Their actions do not seem to support their words.

Some say it is good but impractical,

those who have truly looked at themselves and gasped Tao,

has meant it has lasted for years because it is helpful.

The three most important treasures of life are these,

Be always kind,

Keep life simple,

the third is never to put yourself before anyone or the world.

Showing kindness to others engenders courage in oneself,

Simplicity helps us to begin to things for their true worth.

If we do not put ourselves before others or the world

we will never become a hindrance to growth.

If we cannot be kind before trying to be brave,

or full of great ideas and plans without learning simplicity,

if we put ourselves first we cannot be free of daily strife

and we court destruction.

Kindness can help in all things even the winning of a war,

Simplicity can help us defend and care for others,

Putting others before yourself leads to kindness from others.

These three treasures create the most powerful force in the universe.

68

A true warrior is never a violent person,

A great fighter never resorts to being offensive.

A great victor never goes on to exact vengeance.

A great leader is always a humble person.

This is called making good use of the talents of others.

To follow this pattern,

is to be at one with Tao and the universe.

69

There is an ancient military saying,

I would rather defend from an attack,

rather than to have to go into attack.

I would rather retreat a foot

Rather than try to make an advance of even an inch.

This is called moving forward without being an aggressor.

It means preparing for what is to come without showing your plans.

if you can defend without a show of force.

You leave the enemy with nothing to fight.

There is no greater error than to underestimate those who plan against you.

To do so could cost you the battle and possibly even your life.

Therefore in a battle or contest, the winner will most often than nought be the one showing the most caution.

70

My teachings are easy to understand.

They are also easy to put into practice.

Why then does it seem that nobody seems to understand

or put them into practice?

My teachings are older than the world

they come from the ancients.

My actions are based on discipline,

people seem to find this hard to understand.

Because you do not know me you do not understand.

Those who know me are few.

This makes my teachings even more precious.

71

Knowing that you do not know,

this is a good thing.

Thinking you are clever and know is an illness.

if you do not recognise that you can never find a cure.

The master is not ill

because the master is aware of the illness and cures it.

In this way, the master is able to be whole.

72

When we lose the sense of awe and wonder in life

then only disaster can follow.

We can only watch and respect where people have arrived.

if you respect them they may in turn respect you.

The sage gives those who have strayed space to find themselves.

He never tires of the joys of nature.

The sage quietly respects his life and shows by example.

He loves his life but does not boast of it.

He keeps hold of his spiritual peace and love of all things.

He continues to do what is right and leaves behind that which he knows not to be right.

73

The person who is brave in daring,

May meet an unnatural death.

The person brave in gentleness will be preserved.

There are two types of bravery,

One is beneficial the other can prove harmful.

The subtle truth of the universe is that it does not support

those who are brave in daring.

Yet life is full of those who do not understand this.

This is the way of Tao.

It does not push itself

yet it always succeeds.

It acts gently and silently.

It responds to order and harmony

without making a noise about it.

It does not need to be summoned

it comes gently and naturally.

It always comes in due time and casts a vast net

which nothing gets through.

74

If people do not fear death

it is pointless to threaten them with death

If there is a fear of death,

And there exists the fear of death for committing a crime.

Who would dare to break the law?

It is always true that he who sets himself as the determiner and executioner.

in turn, ends up facing death.

That person is like the inexperienced person

who works with the craftsman's tools.

This person seldom escapes cutting themselves.

75

Why do the people starve and have difficult lives?

It is so because the taxes are so heavy people cannot manage.

The rules take too much grain,

and the people go hungry and have lives full of difficulties.

Why do people become difficult to manage and rule?

Then they become difficult to manage.

Why do people think light of death and do not look forward to the future?

It is because too much is demanded of them.

People in power look after themselves first and think little of others.

It is no wonder that people sometimes feel that death would be better.

Those who rule and think of those who are rules

know how to value the lives of not only themselves

but all people.

76

When a person is alive and full of life that person is soft and supple.

When a person dies that person becomes hard and rigid.

When a plant is alive it is pliant and tender

but when it dies it becomes brittle and dry.

The hard and rigid are companions of the dead.

The soft, supple and pliant are full of life.

A mighty army is ready to be vanquished.

A tree that is dry is ready for the axe.

The mighty and the great will be laid low.

The soft and gentle will live and have success.

77

Lao Tzu said that living with the Tao

was like taking a bow and using it.

When we pull on the string the top bends down

the bottom bends up, both towards the centre,

all the energy become focused in the centre.

Tao takes this energy from where it is,

and sends it to where it needs to be.

Sadly some take from those who are in need,

they have enough already but the desire more.

Those who are in touch with the Tao,

they are the ones who are generous to others.

They give without seeking credit.

They do what has to be done and they move on.

They have no interest in flaunting their learning,

or in showing off.

78

There is nothing on earth that is more yielding than water.

Yet this very water can mould and shape the hardest of rocks.

It is a fact that the weak can overcome the strong,

Those that can give and bend can overcome the unyielding.

Everybody knows this to be the case,

yet nobody seems to put it into practice.

Lao Tzu said, "Take on the problems of other,

and become their leader.

Deal with the problems of the world and become a master of all things."

Sometimes we find it very difficult to understand the truth.

79

Sometimes we quarrel and the argument is settled,

Yet there remains some resentment.

The wise sage does not hold such resentment

or exact any due from the other.

There is no gain from carrying a grudge.

The sage does not care about what others owe them,

rather they care about what they might owe others.

Those who follow the Tao do what has to be done

those who do not try to force others to their will.

If we do right and follow the Tao, the Tao will do right by us.

80

Lao Tzu spoke of a small country village with very few people.
Although they had machines to help them work faster
they often did not use them.
Content to do things at a slower pace.

They took life seriously and stayed close to home.
They may have owned boats and carriages
but they seldom saw the need to use them.
They may have owned weapons of war,
but they kept them locked away

The needed no lists to remind them what had to be done,
they just knew.
They enjoyed good food,
they dressed plainly,
traditions were important to them.

Even though they were aware of their neighbours and their animals.
They paid little heed.
They stayed close to home and lived peacefully.
They grew old and died content.

81

True words are spoken but they do not always sound beautiful.
Beautiful words are not always true words.
Wise people do not need to argue or debate.
Often those who do argue and debate are not the wise.

Not all wise people are scholars.
Sometimes scholars say foolish things and are not wise.
The sage does not desire possessions.
because the sage acts on behalf of others,
so have more than is required.
The more the sage gives the more the sage receives.

The Tao nourishes and helps but not by force.
The Tao of the Wise acts but does not compete.