Chapter 54-81
Looking Within 以此
Establishing ourselves on Tao path, we will not be rattled;
Taking it into our hearts, all generations will benefits.
This path returns us to our true self;
It brings our families abundant joy;
It brings our communities a lasting legacy;
It brings our country true prosperity.
Not Tao; soon ends 不道早已
Knowing harmony is called endurance;
Knowing endurance is called illumination;
Prolonging life is called fortune;
Mind controlling energy is called power.
Everything in life becomes a blessing.
Those who know don't talk; those who talk don't know. 知者不言, 言者不知
The more we understand this path, the less we need to convince others.
The more we need to convince others, the less we really understand.
Thus we become silent.
We stop looking for approval, cease taking offense and stop taking spotlight to complicate our lives.
I do nothing 我無為
The harder we try, the more our efforts fail;
The more schemes we plan, the more unpredictable;
The more rules we impose; the more broken rules.
Tao path is not to change ourselves to find that we change naturally;
Stop to be good and find that goodness is our nature;
Stop trying to get rich and find that our life is full of abundance;
Stop trying to get our own way and find that we enjoy our life.
Shines without Dazzling 光而不燿
Follow Tao path:
Will have firm principles and never injure others;
Will be honest and never be cruel;
Will be consistent and never at the expense of others;
Will be a guide to people and never overshadow them.
Thus Tao path shines without dazzling.
Deeply Rooted with firm base 是謂深根固柢
This is the Tao path of living long and seeing far:
Living sparingly and responding swiftly to shifting winds of life and to use everything in good.
Deeply rooted in our practice, we will have a firm base and never be confused or lost.
Virtue flows and returns.............. 故徳交歸焉
Feminine under heaven ................... 天下之牝
Feminine under heaven ................... 天下之牝
When Tao harmonizes the world,
Demons lose their power.
We still notice their power but
their power doesn't harm people.
The path that make us suffer has transformed into Wisdom.
Feminine under heaven ................... 天下之牝
Feminine under heaven ................... 天下之牝
Feminine under heaven ................... 天下之牝
In stillness,
the feminine overcomes the masculine.
Do not pretend to be grand, we flourish;
Bow to a stranger,
the stranger becomes friend;
When stranger bow back in return;
we become friends.
Tao is the mysterious of all things 道者萬物之奧
Feminine under heaven ................... 天下之牝
Tao is the mysterious of all things 道者萬物之奧
A treasure for the good;
A refuge for the bad.
Sweet words can buy honor;
Good deeds can gain respect.
Don't Act and Thus Not ruined 無為 故無敗
Create before it exists; Lead before it goes away.
Remain idle allows us to notice the subtle stirring of the mind;
Little thought that leads to suffering are noticed early.
Since trouble begins in the mind, we guard the mind with care,
and trouble is stopped before it begins.
The original path of Tao 是謂元德
Tao path reveals the mystery of the galaxy:
How all forms and all beings express the power of Tao by the fullness of their life; and consequently return to their source.
Rivers and Seas 江诲
All streams and rivers flow down to the sea and ocean.
The power is in the downward flow.
When teaching others, we must speak and act with humility.
When leading others, we must follow along behind.
Everyone under heaven calls my Tao is the greatest 天下皆謂我道大
Because it is great, it seems different.
There are three virtues inherent in Tao path: Compassion, Frugality, Patience.
Compassion leads to courage;
Frugality allows generosity; and
Patience makes all things accomplished.
Compassion is the root of all virtues;
It is the very nature of the great Tao.
Virtue of Tao is not contending 是謂不爭之徳
The accomplished person is not aggressive;
The good soldier is not violent;
The best conqueror doesn't engage the enemy.
This is the virtue of Tao being not contending.
Moving without moving 是謂行無行
"I don't presume to be the master, but rather be the guest.
I dare not advance an inch, but rather retreat a foot."
There is no greater catastrophe than underestimating the enemy.
Therefore when the battle is joined, the underdog will win.
My words are easy to understand; 吾言甚易知
Know not knowing as supreme; Not know knowing as faulty 知不知上, 不知知病
Know not knowing as supreme; Not know knowing as faulty 知不知上, 不知知病
Thus they easy to practice.
Yet no one knows them or practices them.
My words have ancient beginnings;
My actions are disciplined.
If we learn and follow this path, we are free to cherish our inner joy.
Know not knowing as supreme; Not know knowing as faulty 知不知上, 不知知病
Know not knowing as supreme; Not know knowing as faulty 知不知上, 不知知病
Know not knowing as supreme; Not know knowing as faulty 知不知上, 不知知病
If we pretend to be aware but do not recognize our suffering,
we remain ignorant.
Knowing its origin,
we know its ending.
Power becomes great 則大威至
Know not knowing as supreme; Not know knowing as faulty 知不知上, 不知知病
Power becomes great 則大威至
When people are not in awe of power,
Power becomes great.
Don't intrude into others' home;
Don't make others' life weary.
If you do not weary them,
They will not become weary of you.
Heaven's Tao does not contend 天之道不爭
The Tao of heaven does not contend, and yet it prevails;
It does not speak, yet it's answered;
It does not ask, yet it's provided;
It seems at ease, yet it follows the plan.
Heaven's net is wide and loose, yet nothing slips through.
Who would dare? 孰敢
If people are not afraid to die, it's of no avail to threaten them with death.
If people live in constant fear of dying, and by breaking the law bring execution, who will dare to break the law.
Our conditioned mind creates fear in a futile attempt to control us and to keep us in line.
People are hungry 民之饑
When rulers tax grain, people are hungry;
When rulers are aggressive, people are rebellious;
When searching solely for life bounty, people ignore death.
Having little to live on, one knows better to truly value life.
Heaven of Tao 天之道
The heaven of Tao is to take from those who have abundance and give it to those who don't.
The mankind is the opposite, those who are poor give offers to the rich.
True words resemble their opposites 正言若反
Under Tao heaven nothing is more soft and yielding than water;
Yet for attacking the solid and strong, nothing is better.
Weak can overcome the strong;
Supple can overcome the stiff.
Everyone knows this, No one attains it.
Heaven of Tao has no favorites 天道無親
Appease great hatred and hatred will remain;
Only contentment leads to contentment.
Those who have virtue of kindness control the tally;
Those who are lack of kindness will collect their due.
Seeking special position is not Tao path;
There are no favorites under the heaven of Tao.
Eighty one
Sincere words are not beautiful; Beautiful words are not sincere. 信言不美, 美言不信
Good people do not quarrel;
Quarrelsome people are not good.
The wise men are not learned;
The learned are not wise.
The sage never hoard;
The more he does for others, the more he has;
The more he gives to others, the greater his abundance;
The Tao of heaven is sharp but harmless;
The Tao of the sage is act without contend.