When the Master governs, the peopleare hardly aware that he exists.Next best is a leader who is loved.Next, one who is feared.The worst is one who is despised.If you don’t trust the people,you make them untrustworthy.The Master doesn’t talk, he acts.When his work is done,the people say, “Amazing:we did it, all by ourselves!”-Translation by Stephen …
Tag Archives: Dao
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 15
The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive.The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable.Because it is unfathomable,All we can do is describe their appearance.Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream.Alert, like men aware of danger.Courteous, like visiting guests.Yielding like ice about to melt.Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood.Hollow, like caves.Opaque, like muddy pools.Who can wait …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 14
Look! It cannot be seen;It’s called the obscure.Listen! It cannot be heard;It’s called the soundless.Feel it! It cannot be grasped:It’s called the bodiless.These three defy scrutiny.Intermingled, they blend into one.Above it is not bright.Below it is not dark.Continuous,Unceasing,Unnamable,Reverting to nothingness.It’s an occurrence of no occurrence.It is a form that takes no form.Elusive like a shadow.Intangible …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 13
Favor and disgrace make one fearfulThe greatest misfortune is the selfWhat does “favor and disgrace make one fearful” mean?Favor is high, disgrace is lowHaving it makes one fearfulLosing it makes one fearfulThis is “favor and disgrace make one fearful”What does “the greatest misfortune is the self” mean?The reason I have great misfortuneIs that I have …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 12
The five colors blind the eye.The five tones deafen the ear.The five flavors dull the taste.Racing and hunting madden the mind.Precious things lead one astray.Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not by what he sees.He lets go of that and chooses this.-Translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English Hinging one’s happiness …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 11
Thirty spokes join together in a wheel’s hub,It is the center hole that makes the wheel useful.We shape clay to fashion jugs;It is the hollowness within that makes a jug useful.We cut doors and windows in a house wall;It is these empty spaces that make the house useful.Thus things are valuable because of what they …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 10
In holding the soul and embracing onenessCan one be without straying?In concentrating the energy and reaching relaxationCan one be like an infant?In cleaning away the worldly viewCan one be without imperfections?In loving the people and ruling the nationCan one be without manipulation?In the heavenly gate’s opening and closingCan one hold to the feminine principle?In understanding …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 9
Better to stop short than fill to the brim.Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it.Claim wealth and titles, and disaster will follow.Retire when the work is done.This is the way of heaven.-Translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English A blade being …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 8
The highest good is like water.Water give life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.In dwelling, be close to the land.In meditation, go deep in the heart.In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.In speech, be true.In ruling, be just.In daily life, …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 7
The Tao is infinite, eternal.Why is it eternal?It was never born;thus it can never die.Why is it infinite?It has no desires for itself;thus it is present for all beings.The Master stays behind;that is why she is ahead.She is detached from all things;that is why she is one with them.Because she has let go of herself,she …
Under the Spell of Words 