So basically every week ill try to throw up a new chapter from the Tao Te Ching and you can read it and comment on it as much or as little as you like.
Twenty
Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.
Is there a difference between yes and no?
Is there a difference between good and evil?
Must I fear what others fear? What nonsense!
Other people are contented, enjoying the sacrificial feast of the ox.
In spring some go to the park, and climb the terrace,
But I alone am drifting, not knowing where I am.
Like a newborn babe before it learns to smile,
I am alone, without a place to go.
Others have more than they need, but I alone have nothing.
I am a fool. O, yes! I am confused.
Other men are clear and bright,
But I alone am dim and weak.
Other men are sharp and clever,
But I alone am dull and stupid.
Oh, I drift like the waves of the sea,
Without direction, like the restless wind.
Everyone else is busy,
But I alone am aimless and depressed.
I am different.
I am nourished by the great mother.
Truthful words are not beautiful,
Beautiful words are not truthful.
Good men do not argue.
Those who argue are not good.
Those who know are not learned.
The learned do not know.
The sage never tries to store things up.
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 pointed but does no harm.
The Tao of the sage is work without effort.
truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good. he who knows has no wide learning. he who has wide learning does not know.
the sage does not horde.
having bestowed all he has on others, he has yet more;
having given all he has to others, he is richer still.
the way of heaven benefits and does not harm; the way of the sage is bountiful and does not contend.
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differing translations are always interesting for their small subtleties
a life once lost says:
Eighty-One
Truthful words are not beautiful,
Beautiful words are not truthful.
Good men do not argue.
Those who argue are not good.
Those who know are not learned.
The learned do not know.
The sage never tries to store things up.
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 pointed but does no harm.
The Tao of the sage is work without effort.
posted May 31
Comment replies (1)
annihilation [these hinges] says:
LXXXI
truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good. he who knows has no wide learning. he who has wide learning does not know.
the sage does not horde.
having bestowed all he has on others, he has yet more;
having given all he has to others, he is richer still.
the way of heaven benefits and does not harm; the way of the sage is bountiful and does not contend.
-
differing translations are always interesting for their small subtleties
posted Jun 7