TAO TE CHING
By LAO TSU.
A new translation by Gia-Fu-Feng and Jane English.
Into
Burmese by Ba Thet Gyi.
The Tao that can be told is not eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The name is the mother of ten thousand things.
Ever desire-less, one can see the mystery.
Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
This appears as darkness.
Darkness within darkness.
The gate to all mystery.
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there
is ugliness.
All can know good as good only there is evil.
Therefore having and not having arise together.
Difficult and easy complement each other.
Long and short contrast each other,
Voice and sound harmonize each other,
Front and back follow one another.
Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing, teaching no-talking.
Ten thousand things rise and fall without cease,
Creating, yet not possessing,
Working, yet not taking credit,
Work is done, then forgotten.
Therefore it lasts forever.
Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling.
Not collecting treasures prevent stealing.
Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart.
The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies,
By weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.
If people lack knowledge and desire,
Then intellectuals will not try to interfere.
If nothing is done, then all will be well.
The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used, but never filled.
Oh, unfathomable source of ten thousand things!
Blunt the sharpness,
Untangle the knot,
Soften the glare, merge with dust.
Oh, hidden deep but ever present!
I don't know from whence it comes.
Heaven and earth are ruthless;
They see the ten thousand things as dummies,
The wise are ruthless,
They see the people as dummies.
The space between heaven and earth is like a bellow,
The shape changes but not form;
The more it moves, the more it yields, more words count less,
Hold fast to the center.
Top
The valley of spirit never dies;
It is woman, primal mother.
Her get away is the root of heaven and earth.
It is like a veil barely seen.
Use it, it will never fail.
Heaven and earth last forever.
Why do heaven last forever?
They are unborn.
So ever living.
The sage stay behind, thus he is ahead.
He is detached, thus at one with all.
Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment.
The highest good is like water.
Water gives life to ten thousand things and does not strive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like Tao.
In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In business, be competent.
In action, watch the timing.
No fight: No blame.
Better stop short than fill it to the brim.
Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon be blunt.
Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one will protect it.
Claim wealth and tittle, and disaster will follow.
Retire when the work is done.
This is the way of heaven.
Carrying body and soul and embracing the one.
Can you avoid separation?
Attending full and becoming supple,
Can you be a new born babe?
Washing and cleaning the primal vision,
Can you be without stain?
Loving all men and ruling the country,
Can you be without cleverness?
Opening and closing the gates of heaven,
Can you play the role of woman?
Understanding and being open to all things,
Are you able to do nothing?
Giving birth and nourishing,
Bearing yet not possessing,
Working yet not taking credit,
Leading yet not dominating,
This is the Primal Vision.
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