Tao Te Ching: Original Text and A Modern Interpretation by Yuan Zhiming English Translation by Daniel Baida Su and Chen Shangyu Among hundreds of English translation and thousands of Chinese interpretation of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, Yuan Zhiming offers a unique perspective - seeing Lao Tzu from the vintage point of the ancient Hebrew Bible. This is a dawning moment in the history of Lao Tzu interpretation. Historically, there have always been huge differences from one interpretation to another, each tinted with individual interpreter's specific world view, mostly from the view point of Confucianism, Buddhism, Legalism, Militarism, Yin and Yang, Neo-Confucianism, Marxism, and so on. Only in the light of the Bible, the mysterious and profound Tao becomes visible, touchable, explicit, and understandable. Yuan Zhiming describes his enlightenment: "When I enter into Tao, experiencing the magnificent and miraculous divinity through the life of Jesus, there seems a ray of brilliant light illuminating Lao Tzu, enabling me to recognize the inner meaning behind each of Lao Tzu's word." Yuan Zhiming firmly believes that there must be a spiritual source which links the ancient Hebrew civilization with the ancient Chinese civilization, and with all other ancient civilizations. This source is unquestionably originated from the One who sets all nations on one planet (Earth) and that One is Logos - Tao. Tao is universal. The universal Tao will illuminate all heart in the East and the West.
Tao Te Ching
Original Text and A Modern InterpretationBy Yuan ZhimingAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 Yuan Zhiming
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4490-9109-5Contents
Chapter 1......................12Chapter 2......................15Chapter 3......................17Chapter 4......................19Chapter 5......................21Chapter 6......................23Chapter 7......................24Chapter 8......................25Chapter 9......................27Chapter 10.....................29Chapter 11.....................31Chapter 12.....................33Chapter 13.....................34Chapter 14.....................36Chapter 15.....................38Chapter 16.....................40Chapter 17.....................43Chapter 18.....................45Chapter 19.....................46Chapter 20.....................48Chapter 21.....................51Chapter 22.....................53Chapter 23.....................56Chapter 24.....................58Chapter 25.....................59Chapter 26.....................61Chapter 27.....................63Chapter 28.....................65Chapter 29.....................67Chapter 30.....................69Chapter 31.....................71Chapter 32.....................73Chapter 33.....................75Chapter 34.....................77Chapter 35.....................79Chapter 36.....................80Chapter 37.....................82Chapter 38.....................84Chapter 39.....................87Chapter 40.....................90Chapter 41.....................91Chapter 42.....................94Chapter 43.....................97Chapter 44.....................98Chapter 45.....................99Chapter 46.....................101Chapter 47.....................102Chapter 48.....................103Chapter 49.....................105Chapter 50.....................107Chapter 51.....................109Chapter 52.....................111Chapter 53.....................113Chapter 54.....................115Chapter 55.....................117Chapter 56.....................119Chapter 57.....................121Chapter 58.....................123Chapter 59.....................125Chapter 60.....................127Chapter 61.....................129Chapter 62.....................131Chapter 63.....................134Chapter 64.....................136Chapter 65.....................139Chapter 66.....................141Chapter 67.....................143Chapter 68.....................145Chapter 69.....................146Chapter 70.....................148Chapter 71.....................150Chapter 72.....................151Chapter 73.....................153Chapter 74.....................155Chapter 75.....................157Chapter 76.....................159Chapter 77.....................161Chapter 78.....................163Chapter 79.....................165Chapter 80.....................167Chapter 81.....................169Index..........................171
Chapter One
1 Tao can be spoken of, but is not the Tao of whom we commonly speak; A name can be given, but not a common name. 2 He can be called non-being, because he preceded Heaven and earth; He can be called pre-being, because he gave birth to all that is.
3 Therefore, since he is non-being, his wonders can be meditated upon; Since he is being, his track can be seen.
4 Non-being and being are merely two terms for the one source. That the two are one is a mystery.
5 Mystery upon mystery-the gateway to all wonders!
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Chapter Two
1 If everyone knows beauty as beautiful, there is already ugliness; If everyone knows kindness as kind, there is already evil. Being and non-being beget each other; The difficult and the easy complement each other; The long and the short contrast with each other; The high and the low point to each other; The voice and its echo resound with each other; Before and after follow each other. 3 Therefore, the Holy One acts without effort and teaches without speaking.
4 All things rise from him, yet he claims no sovereignty; He multiplies all yet claims no possession; He benefits all yet expects no return; He accomplishes all yet claims no credit;
5 He claims no credit yet endures forever.
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Chapter Three
1 Do not honor the virtuous, lest people contend. 2 Do not value hard-to-find treasures, lest people want to steal.
3 Do not evoke evil desires, lest people become restless.
4 Therefore, the Holy One rules by humbling people's hearts, Filling their stomachs, Subduing their will, And strengthening their bones.
5 He makes them seek no knowledge and have no desire; Then, even the wise must curb their behavior.
6 Make no effort, and there will be no lack of order.
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Chapter Four
1 The power of the invisible Tao is inexhaustible; Deep like an abyss, he appears as the progenitor of all things. 2 Abandon self-righteousness. Be free from temptations. Come to the light. Accept that by nature you are dust. The being then may be dimly visible in the distance.
3 I do not know whose child he is, For he is before all visible gods.
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Chapter Five
1 Heaven and earth have no regard for benevolence; They view all creatures as straw dogs offered to God. Nor does the Holy One have regard for benevolence; He likewise views common people as straw dogs. 2 The space between Heaven and earth-is it not like a bellows? Still and inexhaustible- The more it moves, the more wind it creates.
3 Many words lead to failure; It is better to be restrained.
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Chapter Six
1 The unfathomable God is immortal. This gave birth to all mysteries. 2 From the gate of this motherly being come Heaven and earth. Everlasting and dwelling in mystery,
3 She is what she seems not. She gives and is not exhausted.
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CH7[ 1 Heaven and earth endure. They endure because they are not selfish or self-preserving; Therefore, they live long.
2 Likewise, the Holy One thinks of himself last and comes first; He disregards himself and finds himself enduring.
3 Is not all of this because he is fulfilled in his selflessness?
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CH8[ 1 The highest good is like water, Nourishing all things and not contending with them;
2 Dwelling in loathsome places and thus coming close to Tao;
3 Dwelling among the lowly; Great-hearted; Loving in relationships; Sincere in speech; Establishing order in government; Demonstrating ability in undertakings; Perfect in its timing.
4 Only where there is no contention can there be flawlessness.
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CH9[ 1 Better to stop pouring than to keep on overflowing.
2 Forge a blade with a thousand blows; Its sharpness still will not last long.
3 Gold and jade may fill your house, But how long can they be kept?
4 Pride in wealth and rank will bring you only curses.
5 To retire after winning success and establishing a reputation is the way of Heaven.
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CH10[ 1 Who can unite his heart with Tao to achieve a seamless union?
2 Who can overcome his flesh to be meek and gentle as an infant?
3 Who can purify his heart to be clear like a mirror?
4 In loving the ruled and ruling the state, Who can rule without effort, denying himself to follow Tao?
5 In applying wisdom, Who can follow the will of Heaven, as females follow males?
6 In exercising discernment, Who can transcend understanding and knowledge?
7 The Creator and Sustainer of the world does not impose his ownership. He works in all things without claiming his power. The ruler of all does not govern capriciously. What profound grace and virtue!
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CH11[ 1 Thirty spokes unite in the hub of a wheel. The hole in a hub is useful [and necessary for the wheel to turn].
2 Clay vessels are useful because of their unfilled capacity.
3 Windows are cut in a room- Empty spaces useful for lighting.
4 The visible is useful because of the work of the invisible.
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CH12[ 1 Many colors blind the eyes; Many tones deafen the ears; Delicacies spoil the taste; Riding and hunting make the heart go wild; Hard-to-find treasures corrupt life.
2 In governing the people, the Holy One provides inner fulfillment, not pleasures of the eye. Thus, one thing is chosen and the other discarded.
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CH13[ 1 Being either favored or humiliated is disturbing; The greatest curse is to overvalue physical life.
2 What does it mean that either case is disturbing? Favor comes from those above me. It is a surprise to receive it; It is a surprise to lose it. 3 What does it mean that the greatest trouble is to overvalue physical life? I have great worries because I have a physical life. If I discard my life, What troubles do I have to worry about?
4 Therefore, he who gives up his life for the world is trusted by the world; He who gives up his life for loving the world is relied on by the world.
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CH14[ 1 What can be seen but not perceived is called "Yi"; What can be heard but not understood is called "Xi"; What can be touched but not grasped is called "Wei."
2 These three are beyond comprehension- Together they become one.
3 Above the One, there is no light; Beneath the One, there is no darkness;
4 The infinity of the One is ineffable, Returning to the intangible non-being.
5 This is called the form without a form, The image without an image,
6 Like a shadow. Approaching from the front, you cannot see the face; Approaching from behind, you cannot see the back.
7 Hold fast to the Tao of antiquity, For then you will command all realities of the present And know their coming and going. That is the essence of Tao's teaching.
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CH15[ 1 So subtle, discerning and profound Are the ancient followers of Tao That words can only poorly describe them as:
2 Watchful as if crossing a winter river, Cautious as if in fear of their neighbors, Polite and respectful like guests, Natural and authentic like melting ice, Simple like uncarved wood, All-embracing like a valley, Earthy like muddy water.
3 Who can settle the mud to make water clear? Who can revive a stiff corpse?
4 Those who follow this Tao will not be conceited. Only through lack of conceit can one be renewed when worn out and dying.
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CH16[ 1 Humble to the utmost and completely tranquil, I can see the coming and the going of all that grows.
2 Flourishing things of a million kinds, All return to their roots.
3 Such a return is called tranquility;
4 Such tranquility is called return to life;
5 Such a return is eternity.
6 To know eternity is enlightenment;
7 Not to know eternity is waywardness, Which results in calamity.
8 To know eternity is to embrace whatever comes; To embrace whatever comes is to be just;
9 To be just is to be complete; To be complete is to be like Heaven; To be like Heaven is to return to Tao;
10 To return to Tao is to live long. Your body falls away, yet you live on.
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CH17[ 1 With the highest and best ruler, People do not seem to know his presence. Next comes the ruler who is loved and praised; Next comes the ruler who is feared; Next comes the ruler who is despised.
2 Distrust is due to lack of faith.
3 Tao moves freely as he wishes; He has no need to give commands. However, when a great work is completed, People say the occurrence is natural.
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CH18[ 1 When the great Tao is rejected, humanity and justice arise.
2 When wisdom comes, great falsity arises.
3 When family members cannot live in harmony, filial piety and compassion arise. When the nation is in chaos, loyal officials arise.
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CH19[ 1 Discard accomplishment and wisdom, And people will benefit a hundredfold. Discard humanity and justice, And people will return to filial piety and compassion. Discard cleverness and profit, And robbers and thieves will disappear.
2 It is not enough to have these three rules. People's hearts must return to where they belong- Knowing and embracing the source of life.
3 Then the self can become smaller and smaller, And desires can become fewer and fewer. Discard [human] learning. Be free of cares.
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CH20[ 1 To flatter or to despise-what is the difference? To praise or to resent-how are they different? Fear what people fear.
2 What a vast and deserted land! Crowds of people hustle and bustle- As if enjoying a feast or being onstage.
3 I alone do not share the feeling- As if uncivilized, uncultivated, Like a newborn infant not knowing how to smile. Exhausted and sad, I do not know where to return.
4 All people have more than enough; I alone seem to have lost something. I have the heart of a fool!
5 Worldly people see clearly; I alone see dimly. Worldly people bargain; I alone cannot see the difference.
6 The water is vast like an ocean; The wind blows without a trace. All people have their own trades; I alone am useless and stubborn.
7 I differ from all people Because I value feeding on the Mother.
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CH21[ 1 The highest form of morality is to completely obey Tao.
2 Tao exists like a shadow. In the shadow there appears to be an image; In the shadow there appears to be a real being.
3 In its depth and darkness is a spirit; The spirit is authentic, full of faithfulness.
4 From antiquity till now, his name has never vanished So that people may see the father of all.
5 How do I know the father of all? By Him.
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CH22[ 1 What is twisted shall be straightened; The wronged shall be rehabilitated; Lowlands shall be filled; The dying shall be renewed; The needy shall receive; The plentiful shall be confused.
2 Therefore, the Holy One unites with Tao To be the instrument to Heaven for all people. 11
3 Unaware that he sees, He sees clearly. Not holding himself to be right, He proves to be right. Not seeking his own glory, He accomplishes great missions. Not regarding himself as great, He becomes the king of all.
4 Precisely because he does not contend, No one can contend with him.
5 The ancients said: "The wronged will conquer." That is no empty saying. Truly, the world will return to the conqueror.
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CH23[ 1 To speak little is natural.
2 High winds will not howl the entire morning; A downpour will not last the entire day. Who is behind the wind and the rain? Heaven and earth. Even heaven and earth cannot last long; How can humanity?
3 Therefore, those who follow Tao identify with Tao; Those who have virtue identify with virtue; Those who are lost identify with loss.
4 Tao accepts those who identify with Tao; Virtue welcomes those who identify with it; Loss embraces those who identify with it.
5 Distrust is due to lack of faith.
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CH24[ 1 Those who stand on tiptoe cannot remain standing; Those who stride cannot walk.
2 Blind are those who think they can see; Foolish are those who think they are wise.
3 Those who boast have not achieved; Those who brag cannot be leaders.
4 Tao views these as leftover food and burdens-detestable. Those who follow Tao will not do such things.
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CH25[ 1 An integrated being existed before the birth of Heaven and earth.
2 How still! How void! Standing all by himself and never changing, He moves in and through all and is not wearied,
3 Worthy to be the mother of Heaven and earth.
4 I do not know his name; So, I call it "Tao." If forced to name him, I would name him "the Great."
5 Being great, he keeps expanding- Reaching to the farthest distance, until he returns.
6 Therefore, Tao is great; Heaven is great; Earth is great; Human being is also great. In the universe, the four are great, And the human is one of them.
7 Human beings emulate the earth; The earth emulates Heaven; Heaven emulates Tao; And Tao emulates what is as is.
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CH26[ 1 The heavy is the foundation of the light;
2 Stillness is the master of restlessness. Therefore, the gentleman in his daily travels brings luggage carts. Despite beauty and glory, he still enjoys rest and freedom.
3 However, some rulers of great nations are self centered, Making light of the world to their own ruin.
4 To be light is to lose the root; To be agitated is to lose control.
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CH27[ 1 A good traveler leaves no track; A good speaker speaks without blemish; A good discerner needs no device.
2 Those good at shutting doors do so without bolts, And the doors cannot be opened; Those good at tying knots do so without ropes, And the knots cannot be untied.
3 Likewise, the Holy One is good at saving people, And no one is abandoned. He is good at saving all things, And nothing is abandoned.
4 This is called following the light.
5 Hence, the kind one is the teacher of the unkind; The unkind is the resource of the kind.
6 One is helplessly lost-however wise he is- If he does not respect the Teacher or love his resource. This is an important mystery!
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CH28[ 1 Knowing his masculine strength, but keeping to a feminine tenderness, He thus becomes the stream for the world.
2 As the stream for the world, he has the eternal virtue with him, [enabling people to] return to being infants.
3 Knowing his brightness but keeping to obscurity, He thus becomes the instrument for the world [to know Heaven].
4 As the vehicle for the world to know Heaven, He has the eternal virtue with him, [enabling people to] return to the infinite.
5 Knowing his glory but bearing disgrace, He thus becomes the valley for the world.
6 As the valley for the world, he is abundant in eternal grace, [enabling people to] return to their original state of being.
7 Once applied, this state of being becomes a vehicle. The Holy One uses it to become the ruler.
8 Hence, the greatest wisdom is undivided.
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Excerpted from Tao Te Chingby Yuan Zhiming Copyright © 2010 by Yuan Zhiming. Excerpted by permission.
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