Okay after translating two I got hooked: who knew lay-translating ancient Chinese could be so fun?
Here are the first 9 (of 81) versus of the book of Tao.
1
The path that can be passed is not the eternal path
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
Nameless it is the origin of heaven and earth
Named she is the mother of myriads.
Ever habitless sees the secret
Ever habitual sees manifestations.
These two are of the same source
Though differently named.
It is mystery, mystery and again mystery
The gate of all wonder.
2
Under heaven
All recognize beauty for beauty
because of ugliness alone.
All recognize virtue for virtue
because of vice alone.
Hard and easy complete
Long and short compare.
High and low lean each upon each.
String and voice harmonize.
Front and back encircle.
Thus the great man works relaxed
and Wordlessly teaches;
Myriads impose and he dismisses none.
He makes, but not to own
Works, but not to earn.
He accomplishes but doesn’t stop.
Because he doesn’t dwell on it
it never dies.
3.
Avoid exulting the great
Lest the people compete
Avoid prizing treasures
Lest the people steal
Avoid parading temptations
Lest the people’s soul’s seethe.
The Sage’s rule
Empties their soul
to fill their core
Weakens their will
To bronze their bones.
Ever lacking cunning and desire
they become truly cunning and relaxed.
Working without work
Everything works out.
4.
Tao of the empty heart
Is yet never poured empty.
Her abyss seems the source of myriads
Blunt the blade
Soften the knot
Cloud the glare
Mix the dust
Such depth!
She seems forever.
I know not her parent
She precedes God.
5.
Heaven and Earth are not sentimenal
Thus they look upon the myriads
as mere grass for the fire
The Sage is not senitmental
Thus he looks upon the people
as mere grass for the fire.
Heaven and Earth
are like a bellows
Empied they are not exhausted
Moved they move anew
But if a man talks long
He counts himself out.
Better to sit long
and encounter his inner.
6.
The Valley Spirit does not expire.
She is the secret womb of the mare.
And the secret womb is our gate.
She births heaven and earth.
She bides and abides forever
Use her inexuastibility.
7.
Heaven is eternal, Earth enduring.
Heaven and earth are eternal and enduring
Because they do not live of themselves
Therefore they eternally live.
Therefore the Sage
Stays in the background
being the foreground.
He rejects himself to preserve himself.
Is he not without self?
Therefore he fulfills himself.
8.
Greatness is like water.
Water benifts the myraids
without fuss.
It cleanses were few
care to go
Thus is approximates the Tao.
Great is a lowly house
Great is the deep heart.
Great is kindness to others.
Great is sincere speech.
Great is fair rule.
Great is competent work.
Great is rhythmed movement.
He doesn’t fuss
Therefore he is faultless.
9.
Holding the bow taut and overly taut
It is better to release.
A knife sharpened and over sharpened
Will break.
Pile up gold and jewels
And try to keep the thieves out!
Pile up airs and arrogance
and try to keep your dignity!
Do your work and then step back.
This is Heaven’s Tao.
quest?ON
www.msu.edu/~junedan
\\ Perfection Is Easy //
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