Chapter 39

Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing)
Classic of the Way and Virtue



By Lao Tzu (Laozi)


 

Compiled and Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo, M.S.

Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove Notebooks, Vancouver, Washington

Chapter 38     Chapter 40     Index to All the Chapters     Daoism     Concordance     Cloud Hands Blog     Commentary

English     Chinese     Spanish

 

 

 

Chapter 39

Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) by Lao Tzu

Classic Book (Ching) about the Tao (Way, Nature, Patterns, Processes) and Te (Virtue, Potency, Power, Integrity, Wise Person, Sage)

 

Indexing, Concordance, Search Terms, Topics, Themes, Keys, Subjects


English and Chinese (Wade-Giles) Terms, Chapter #39: 
Act or Make (wei), Alive or Life (shêng), Alone or Solitary (ku), Chariot, Clear or Pure (ch'ing), Common, Coordinated, Core, Correct or Upright (cheng), Could or Might (chiang), Crack or Split (lieh), Creatures, Dao, Dependent, Die or Perish (mieh), Divine or Inspired (ling), Earth (ti), Elements, Equilibrium, Essentials, Esteem or Honor (kuei), Fall or Stumble (chüeh), Fear (kung), Full or Filled (ying), Fundamental, Gem or Jade (), Generation, Heaven (t'ien), Humble or Humility (chien), Integration, Interrelated, King or Lord (wang), Lowliness, Obtain or Gain (), Old or Ancient (hsi), One or Unity (yi), Oneness, Origin of the Law, Peaceful or Serene (ning), Pieces, Plentitude, Power of the Dao, Prince or Duke (hou), Procreation, Ravine or Valley (ku), Root or Foundation or Origin (pên), Shake or Quake (fa), Simple, Source, Spirits or Gods (shên), Steadfast, Stone or Rock (shih), Superior or Lofty (kao), Supports, Tao, Ten Thousand Things or Myriad (wan wu), Totality, Underpinning, Unity, Valley, Wheel or Carriage (), Whole, Origin, Wither or Dissolve (hsieh),   法本.  Leader, Sage, Sky, Infinity, Plainness, Ordinary, Universe, Unrefined, Teh, Ancients. 
Chapter #39  Tao Te Ching  2/12w/2021   


Términos en Español, Capítulo #39
Uno, Firme, Plenitud, Cielo, Tierra, Espíritus, Valle, Criaturas, Unidad, Equilibrio, Todo, Origen, Carruaje, Piedra, Interrelacionados, Coordinado, Dependiente, Elementos, Príncipe, Fuente, Procreación, Generación, Integración, Totalidad, Humildad, Esencial, Fundamental, Simple, Común, Piezas, Soportes, Viejo, Antiguo, Obtener, Ganancia, Unidad, Puro, Claro, Pacífico, Sereno, Espíritus, Dioses, Divino, Inspirado, Barranco, Valle, Completo, Lleno, Grieta, Ruptura, Barranco, Cosas, Vivo, Vida, Príncipe, Rey, Rey, Señor, Correcta, Vertical, Tierra, Miedo, Morir, Pierda, Autoestima, Humildad, Humilde, Honra, Superior, Elevado, Noble, Otoño, Tropezón, Ley, Hacer, Raíz, Fundación, Alta, Solo, Solitario, Raíz, Origen, Rueda, Transporte, Gema, Piedra, Roca.  Líder, Sabio, Cielo, Infinito, Llanura, Ordinario, Universo, Sin Refinar, Antiguos.
Capítulo #39 Daodejing  2/12w/2021

 

Electronic Concordance for all 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching

 

 

 

 

English Language Translations of the Tao Te Ching

 

"The things which from of old have got the One, the Tao, are: 
Heaven which by it is bright and pure;
Earth rendered thereby firm and sure;
Spirits with powers by it supplied;
Valleys kept full throughout their void
All creatures which through it do live
Princes and kings who from it get
The model which to all they give.
All these are the results of the One, the Tao.  
If heaven were not thus pure, it soon would rend;
If earth were not thus sure, it would break and bend;
Without these powers, the spirits soon would fail;
If not so filled, the drought would parch each vale;
Without that life, creatures would pass away;
Princes and kings, without that moral sway,
However grand and high, would all decay.
Thus it is that dignity finds its firm root in its previous meanness, and what is lofty finds its stability in the lowness from which it rises. 
Hence princes and kings call themselves 'Orphans,' 'Men of small virtue,' and as 'Carriages without a nave.'
Is not this an acknowledgment that in their considering themselves mean they see the foundation of their dignity?
So it is that in the enumeration of the different parts of a carriage we do not come on what makes it answer the ends of a carriage.
They do not wish to show themselves as elegant-looking as jade, but prefer to be coarse-looking as an ordinary stone."
-   Translated by James Legge, 1891, Chapter 39 

 

 

"In days of old these became whole:
Having become whole, heaven became clear.
Having become whole, earth became stable.
Having become whole, spirits became vibrant.
Having become whole, valleys became full.
Having become whole, the myriad things became alive.
Having become whole, the nobles set the realm right.
This is what they achieved by becoming whole.

If heaven had not become clear
It would likely break open.
If earth had not become stable
It would likely collapse.
If spirits had not become vibrant
They would likely cease to exist.
If valleys had not become full
They would likely become exhausted.
If the myriad things had not become alive
They would likely die.
If the nobles had not become esteemed
They would likely fall.

Thus the nobles have the commoners as their root.
And the high rank has the low rank as its base.
And the high rank has the low rank as its base.
That is why "orphans," "lonely" and "worthless"
Are the names kings and lords use for themselves.
Do they not have the commoners as their root?
Too much honor is no honor.
They don't wish to glitter like gemstones.
They prefer to rumble like rocks."
-  Translated by Agnieszka Solska, 2005, Chapter 39 

 

 

All things are at one with Infinity.
When humanity is centered in this oneness:
the sky remains clear and beautiful,
the earth remains pure and sustains life,
the spirit of humanity is in harmony,
the valley is the source of abundance,
all creatures reproduce, regenerate and
replenish the earth,
leaders and kings are in harmony
and nations are at peace.

When humanity focuses on the manifestations of Infinity,
distinguishes and judges all things
and thereby forgets the oneness of Infinity:
the sky becomes cloudy with pollution,
the earth becomes a cesspool
unable to easily neutralize the many poisons,
the spirit of humanity becomes confused
and accepts conflict as the nature of humanity,
the valley no longer produces abundance
and what it does produce is tainted.
Leaders and kings take their nations to war
in order to control the untainted lands,
creatures no longer reproduce, species die out
and parts of the earth, unattended by
the myriad creatures, no longer
regenerate or replenish themselves,
the people of all nations live in conflict,
fear, hunger and depression.

Therefore, never forget that oneness is the
essence of harmony; the simple is the way of peace.

Leaders and kings consider themselves, alone, ridiculed
and misunderstood when they forget their
oneness with Infinity.

In confusion, they inevitably lead their nations to war.

In order to maintain peace and harmony in the land,
they must flow in the peace and harmony
of the oneness of all things.

Too much success is a sign that one has
begun to focus on manifestations and not on Infinity,
the essence of all manifestations.

Do not distinguish precious jade.
Remain centered in the peace and harmony
of the oneness of all things."
-  Translated by John Worldpeace, Chapter 39 

 

 

"Since ancient times there have been those who have attained the subtle essence of the universe and thus become what they are.
Heaven attained the subtle essence of the universe and became clear.
Earth attained the subtle essence of the universe and became stable.
Divine spirits attained the subtle essence of the universe and became powerful.
The Valley of the Universe attained the subtle essence of the universe and became productive.
The myriad things attained the subtle essence of the universe and became prosperous.
The sages attained the subtle essence of the universe and became wise.
All became what they are by attaining the subtle essence of the universe and hence their true nature.
Extinction happens to one who violates his true nature.
Without being pure, Heaven would cease to be.
Without being stable, Earth would burst into bits.
Without maintaining their potency, spirits would disperse.
Without being productive, the vast Valley of the Universe would become exhausted.
Without being reproductive, the myriad things would perish.
Without fortifying themselves with integral virtue, sages would stumble and fall.
Greatness is rooted in plainness,
just as the low forms the foundation of the high.
Realizing this, the ancient sovereigns were content to style themselves as desolate, unworthy, and needy.
Therefore, one who does not separate his being from the nature of the universe follows the Integral Way.
He has no wish to sound like jingling jade pendants in order to court a good name,
nor like the rumbling of a stone rolling from a cliff in order to create a bad name.
Each one should work on one's own subtle spiritual integration with the subtle essence of the universe."
-  Translated by Hua Ching Ni, 1995, Chapter 39 

 

 

"In harmony with the Tao,
the sky is clear and spacious,
the earth is solid and full,
all creature flourish together,
content with the way they are,
endlessly repeating themselves,
endlessly renewed.

When man interferes with the Tao,
the sky becomes filthy,
the earth becomes depleted,
the equilibrium crumbles,
creatures become extinct.

The Master views the parts with compassion,
because he understands the whole.
His constant practice is humility.
He doesn't glitter like a jewel
but lets himself be shaped by the Tao,
as rugged and common as stone."
-  Translated by Edwin Shaw, 1996, Chapter 39

 

 

"Achievement of oneness in the past includes:
The heaven that became clear,
The earth that became peaceful,
The soul that became sensitive,
And kings that became the world's leaders.
The following can be inferred:
The heaven will break
If it can by no means clear up;
The earth will be wasteland
If it can by no means be peaceful;
The soul will die out
If it can by no means be sensitive;
And kings will go rampant
If they can by no means lead the world.
Therefore,
Nobility is rooted in the ordinary people,
And the high is based on the low.
The kings take names
Like "the Isolated," "the Helpless," or "the Wicked,"
Just because they appreciate their roots and bases.
Therefore,
The most glorious does not seek after glory,
And the wisest does not seek to be the beautiful jade
But the unrefined rough rock."
-  Translated by Liu Qixuan, Chapter 39 

 

 

"Of old these ones attained to unity:

Heaven attained it, thereby it is pure,

Earth attained it, thereby it is steady,

 Spirits attained it, thereby they have soul,

Valleys attained it, thereby they are Idled,

The myriad things attained it, thereby live,

Princes and kings, and thereby they became

The standard of the world, by upright rule,

And what produced all this is Unity.

Heaven, but for some source of pureness nothing could maintain,

But for some source of steadiness Earth would be rent in twain,

Spirits, but for some source of spirit power, soon would fail,

And if the vales had not some source, then drouth would soon prevail.

Without some source of life all living creatures soon would die,

Princes and kings, by self-esteem alone, would helpless lie,

 And here one sees that noble things are rooted in the base,

That loftiness, but for the lowly, soon would lose its place;

So prince and king describe themselves as orphans, lonely men,

As carriages which have no wheels on which to run again,

 Is not this an acknowledgment that they are rooted in

The fabric of inferior things, and with the lowly kin?

Enumerate the different parts which go to make a cart,

Take it to pieces, and not one will play a useful part,

Hence men do not desire, like gems, to dwell in single state,

Nor be let drop, like pebble-stones, in masses congregate."
-  Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 39 

 

 

Creative Commons License

This webpage work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Created by Michael P. Garofalo, Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove Notebooks, Vancouver, Washington  © 2011-2021 CCA 4.0

 

 

 

Simple Taoism: A Guide to Living in Balance  By Alexander Simkins. 
The Tao of Daily Life: The Mysteries of the Orient Revealed  By Derek Lin. 
Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony   By Ming-Dao Deng. 
Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices
The Tao of Pooh   By Benjamin Hoff. 
Scholar Warrior: An Introduction to the Tao in Everyday Life  By Ming-Dao Deng. 
Vitality, Energy, Spirit: A Taoist Sourcebook  Translated by Thomas Cleary. 

 

                             

 

 

 

"From of old these things have obtained oneness:  
Heaven by oneness becometh pure.
Earth by oneness can endure.
Minds by oneness souls procure.
Valleys by oneness repletion secure.   
All creatures by oneness to life have been called.
And kings were by oneness as models installed.  
Such is the result of oneness.   
Were heaven not pure it might be rent.
Were earth not stable it might be bent.
Were minds not ensouled they'd be impotent.
Were valleys not filled they'd soon be spent.
When creatures are lifeless who can their death prevent?
Are kings not models, but on haughtiness bent,
Their fall, forsooth, is imminent.
Thus, the nobles come from the commoners as their root, and the high rest upon the lowly as their foundation.
Therefore, princes and kings call themselves orphaned, lonely, and unworthy.
Is this not because they take lowliness as their root?  
The several parts of a carriage are not a carriage. 
Those who have become a unity are neither anxious to be praised with praise like a gem, nor disdained with disdain like a stone."
-  Translated by Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki and Paul Carus, 1913, Chapter 39 

 

 

Cloud Hands Blog

 

 

"You needn't search for power
You already have it all
To seek outside your empty core
Is looking for a fall

The seer doesn't do a thing
But sees that all is finished
Foolish people run about
And leave totality diminished

Goodness must be doing
And justice never is complete
Propriety can't satisfy
Obedience is forced defeat

When totality is lost
Goodness comes to take its place
Followed by propriety
Bewilderment and end of grace

The seer sees periphery
But also sees the open core
And thus the seer sees the whole
And dwells therein forevermore"
-  Translated by Jim Clatfelder, 2000, Chapter 39 

 

 

"From old, these may have harmony with the One:

Heaven in harmony with the One becomes clear.
Earth in harmony with the One becomes stable.
Mind in harmony with the One becomes inspired.
Valleys in harmony wiht the One become full.
All Things in harmony with the One becomes creawtive.
Leaders in harmony with the One becomes incorruptible in the world.

These were attained through Oneness.

Heaven without clarity would probably crack.
Earth without stability would probably quake.
Mind without inspiration would probably sleep.
Valleys without fullness would probably dry up.
All Things without creativity would probably die off.
Leaders without incorruptible ways would probably stumble and fall.

Indeed, the high-placed stem from teh humble;
The elevated are based upon the lowly.
This is why leaders call themselves
Alone, lonely, and unfavored.
Is this not because they stem form the humble and common?
Is it not?

Therefore, attain honor without being honored.
Do not desire to shine like jade; wear ornaments as if they were stone."
-  Translated by R. L. Wing, 1986, Chapter 39 

 

 

 

Revealing the Tao Te Ching: In-Depth Commentaries on an Ancient Classic  By Hu Xuzehi
Tao Te Ching  Annotated translation by Victor Mair  
Reading Lao Tzu: A Companion to the Tao Te Ching with a New Translation  By Ha Poong Kim
The Philosophy of the Daodejing  By Hans-Georg Moeller  

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices   By Mike Garofalo

Dao De Jing: A Philosophical Translation  By Roger T. Ames and David T. Hall
Tao Te Ching on The Art of Harmony   By Chad Hansen. 
The Way and Its Power: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching and Its Place in Chinese Thought   By Arthur Waley

Lifestyle Advice from Wise Persons


                             

 

 

 

"In mythical times all things were whole:
All the sky was clear,
All the earth was stable,
All the mountains were firm,
All the riverbeds were full,
All of nature was fertile,
And all the rulers were supported.

But, losing clarity, the sky tore;
Losing stability, the earth split;
Losing strength, the mountains sank;
Losing water, the riverbeds cracked;
Losing fertility, nature disappeared;
And losing support, the rulers fell.

Rulers depend upon their subjects,
The noble depend upon the humble;
So rulers call themselves orphaned, hungry and alone,
To win the people's support."
-  Translation by Peter Merel, 1992, Chapter 39 

 

 

 

A Chinese Language Version of Chapter 39 of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
A note on my style of displaying the Chinese characters of the Tao Te Ching

 

 

昔之得一者.
天得一以清.
地得一以寧.
神得一以靈.
谷得一以盈.
萬物得一以生.
侯王得一以為天下貞. 
其致之. 
天無以清 將恐裂.
地無以寧 將恐發.
神無以靈 將恐歇.
谷無以盈 將恐竭. 
萬物無以生將恐滅.
侯王無以貴高將恐蹶. 
故貴以賤為本.
高以下為基. 

是以侯王自稱孤寡不穀. 
此非以賤為本耶非乎.
故致數譽無譽. 
不欲琭琭如玉.
珞珞如石. 
-  Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 39

 

 

hsi chih tê yi chê.
t'ien tê yi yi ch'ing.
ti tê yi yi ning.
shên tê yi yi ling.
ku tê yi yi ying.
wan wu tê yi yi shêng.
hou wang tê yi yi wei t'ien hsia chên.
ch'i chih chih.
t'ien wu yi ch'ing chiang k'ung lieh.
ti wu yi ning chiang k'ung fa.
shên wu yi ling chiang k'ung hsieh.
ku wu yi ying chiang k'ung chieh.
wan wu wu yi shêng chiang k'ung mieh.
hou wang wu yi kuei kao chiang k'ung chüeh.
ku kuei yi chien wei pên.
kao yi hsia wei chi.  
shih yi hou wang tzu wei ku kua pu ku.
tz'u fei yi chien wei pên hsieh fei hu.
ku chih shu yü wu yü.
pu yü lu lu ku yü.
lo lo ju shih. 
- Wade-Giles Romanization, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 39
 

 

Audio Version in Chinese of Chapter 39 of the Tao Te Ching

 


xi zhi de yi zhe.   
tian de yi yi qing.   
di de yi yi ning.   
shen de yi yi ling.
gu de yi yi ying.   
wan wu de yi yi sheng.   
hou wang de yi yi wei tian xia zhen. 
qi zhi zhi.
tian wu yi qing jiang kong lie.   
di wu yi ning jiang kong fa.   
shen wu yi ling jiang kong xie.   
gu wu yi ying jiang kong jie.   
wan wu wu yi sheng jiang kong mie.   
hou wang wu yi gui gao jiang kong jue. 
gu gui yi jian wei ben.   
gao yi xia wei ji.  
shi yi hou wang zi wei gu gua bu gu. 
ci fei yi jian wei ben ye fei hu? 
gu zhi shu yu wu yu. 
bu yu lu lu ru yu.   
luo luo ru shi.
-   Pinyin Romanization, Daodejing, Chapter 39 

 

 

 

 

 

Tao Te Ching in Chinese characters and English (includes a word by word key) from YellowBridge

Tao Te Ching in Chinese characters, Pinyin Romanization, English and German by Dr. Hilmar Alquiros. 

Laozi Daodejing: Chapters with Chinese characters, seal script, detailed word by word concordance, Pinyin (tone#), German, French and English. 

Chinese and English Dictionary, MDGB

Chinese Character Dictionary

Dao De Jing Wade-Giles Concordance by Nina, Dao is Open

Dao De Jing English and Wade-Giles Concordance by Mike Garofalo

Tao Te Ching in Pinyin Romanization with Chinese characters, WuWei Foundation

Tao Te Ching in Pinyin Romanization

Tao Te Ching in Chinese characters and English

Tao Te Ching: English translation, Word by Word Chinese and English, and Commentary, Center Tao by Carl Abbott

Tao Te Ching in Chinese characters, English, Word by word analysis, Zhongwen

Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition  Chinese characters, Wade-Giles Romanization, and a list of meanings for each character by Jonathan Star 

Tao Te Ching in Chinese characters: Big 5 Traditional and GB Simplified

Convert from Pinyin to Wade Giles to Yale Romanizations of Words and Terms: A Translation Tool from Qi Journal

Chinese Characters, Wade-Giles and Pinyin Romanizations, and 16 English Translations for Each Chapter of the Daodejing by Mike Garofalo. 

Tao Te Ching in Chinese characters, Pinyin and Wade Giles Romanization spellings, English; a word for word translation of the Guodian Laozi Dao De Jing Version. 

Lao Zi's Dao De Jing: A Matrix Translation with Chinese Text by Bradford Hatcher. 

 

 


"Of old, these came to be in possession of the One:
Heaven in virtue of the One is limpid;
Earth in virtue of the One is settled;
Gods in virtue of the One have their potencies;
The valley in virtue of the One is full;
The myriad creatures in virtue of the One are alive;
Lords and princes in virtue of the One become leaders of the empire.
It is the One that makes these what they are.

Without what makes it limpid heaven might split;
Without what makes it settled earth might sink;
Without what gives them their potencies gods might spend themselves;
Without what makes it full the valley might run dry;
Without what keeps them alive the myriad creatures might perish;
Without what makes them leaders lords and princes might fall.

Hence the superior must have the inferior as root;
The high must have the low as base.

Thus lords and princes refer to themselves as 'solitary', 'desolate', and 'hapless'.
This is taking the inferior as root, is it not?

Hence the highest renown is without renown,
Not wishing to be one among many like jade
Nor to be aloof like stone."
-  Translated by D. C. Lau, 1963, Chapter 39  

 

 

 

Lieh-Tzu: A Taoist Guide to Practical Living  Translated by Eva Wong
The Daodejing of Laozi   Translated by Philip Ivahoe 
Daoism: A Beginner's Guide   By James Miller
Early Daoist Scriptures  Translated by Stephen Bokencamp
Lifestyle Advice from Wise Persons
Simple Taoism: A Guide to Living in Balance  By Alexander and Annellen Simpkins
Practical Taoism  Translated by Thomas Cleary
Daoism and Chinese Culture  By Livia Kohn

 

                                       

 

 

 

"In harmony with the Tao,
the sky is clear and spacious,
the earth is solid and full,
all creature flourish together,
content with the way they are,
endlessly repeating themselves,
endlessly renewed.

When man interferes with the Tao,
the sky becomes filthy,
the earth becomes depleted,
the equilibrium crumbles,
creatures become extinct.

The Master views the parts with compassion,
because he understands the whole.
His constant practice is humility.
He doesn't glitter like a jewel
but lets himself be shaped by the Tao,
as rugged and common as stone."
-   Translated by Stephen Mitchell, Chapter 39 

 

 

"Among the ancient holders of the One:
Heaven that holds the One becomes clear and bright;
Earth that holds the One becomes steady;
Gods that hold the One become efficacious;
Valleys that hold the One become full;
All creatures that hold the One become alive;
Lords and leaders who hold the One become leaders of the human world.
By inference Heaven might split without what makes it clear and bright;
Earth might shake without what makes it steady;
Gods might disappear without what makes them efficacious;
Valleys might go dry without what makes them full;
All creatures might die out without what makes them alive;
Lords and kings might fall without what makes them leaders.
That is why the humble is the root of the noble,
And the high is based on the low.
That is why lords and kings call themselves "the solitary", "the few" and "the unkind".
Does not this take the humble as the root (of the noble)?
Does this not?
Hence the highest honor does not need honoring.
It is better, therefore, to be a hard stone than a beautiful piece of jade."
-  Translated by Gu Zhengkun, Chapter 39 

 

 

"The masters of old attained unity with the Tao.
Heaven attained unity and became pure.
The earth attained unity and found peace.
The spirits attained unity so they could minister.
The valleys attained unity that they might be full.
Humanity attained unity that they might flourish.
Their leaders attained unity that they might set the example.
This is the power of unity.

Without unity, the sky becomes filthy.
Without unity, the earth becomes unstable.
Without unity, the spirits become unresponsive and disappear.
Without unity, the valleys become dry as a desert.
Without unity, human kind can't reproduce and becomes extinct.
Without unity, our leaders become corrupt and fall.

The great view the small as their source,
and the high takes the low as their foundation.
Their greatest asset becomes their humility.
They speak of themselves as orphans and widows,
thus they truly seek humility.
Do not shine like the precious gem,
but be as dull as a common stone."
-  Translated by John H. McDonald, 1996, Chapter 39 

 

 

Creative Commons License

This webpage work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Created by Michael P. Garofalo, Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove Notebooks, Vancouver, Washington  © 2011-2021 CCA 4.0

 

 

 

The Complete Works of Lao Tzu: Tao Teh Ching & Hua Hu Ching   Translation and elucidation by Hua Ching Ni
The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu   Translated by Brian Walker
Tao Te Ching  Translated by Arthur Waley
Tao - The Way   Translated by Lionel and and Herbert Giles
Taoism: An Essential Guide   By Eva Wong

 

                             

 

 

 

"The ancients attained oneness.
Heaven attained oneness and became clear.
Earth attained oneness and became stable.
Spirits attained oneness and became divine.
The valleys attained oneness and became fertile.
Creatures attained oneness and lived and grew.
Kings and nobles attained oneness and became leaders.
What made them so is oneness.

Without clarity, heaven would crack.
Without stability, the earth would quake.
Without divinity, spirits would dissipate.
Without fertility, the valleys would be barren.
Without life and growth, creatures would die off.
Without leadership, kings and nobles would fall.

Therefore humility is the basis for nobility,
and the low is the basis for the high.
Thus kings and nobles call themselves
orphans, lonely, and unworthy.
Do they not depend upon the common people for support?
Dismantle the parts of a chariot, and there is no chariot.
Rather than tinkle like jade, rumble like rocks."
-  Translated by Sanderson Beck, 1996, Chapter 39 

 

 

"At the origin each thing was whole and all things were connected.
In their wholeness they found clarity and serenity.
In their connection, they were sacred.
People, too, were whole, unified with each other,
integral to the world, each one a ruler, each one pure. 
Remain in the primordial purity and the sky will become clear;
the earth will find peace;
the spirit, strength; 
the valley, water; 
living things, growth; 
leaders, integrity. 
Humility is the source of nobility. 
The low is the foundation of the exalted. 
Root yourself in responsibility. 
Quiet yourself."
-  Translated by Crispin Starwell, Chapter 39 

 

 

"There were those in ancient times possessed of the One;
Through possession of the One, the Heaven was clarified,
Through possession of the One, The Earth was stabilized,
Through possession of the One, the gods were spiritualized,
Through possession of the One, the valleys were made full,
Through possession of the One, all things lived and grew,
Through possession of the One, the princes and dukes
   became the ennobled of the people.
   - that was how each became so.

Without clarity, the Heavens would shake,
Without stability, the Earth would quake,
Without spiritual power, the gods would crumble,
Without being filled, the valleys would crack,
Without the life-giving power, all things would perish,
Without the ennobling power, the princes and dukes would stumble.
therefore the nobility depend upon the common man for support,
And the exalted ones depend upon the lowly for their base.

That is why the princes and dukes call themselves
   "the orphaned," "the lonely one," "the unworthy."
Is is not true then that they depend upon the common man for support?
Truly, take down the parts of a chariot,
   And there is no chariot (left).
Rather than jingle like the jade,
   Rumble like the rocks."
-  Translated by Lin Yutang, 1955, Chapter 39  

 

 

 

Tao Te Ching  Translated by Stephen Addiss and Stanley Lombardo  

Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching  Translated by John C. Wu

Lao-Tzu and the Tao-Te-Ching  Translated by Livia Kohn

Dao De Jing: The Book of the Way Translated by Moss Roberts

 

                             

 

 

 

"The wholeness of life has, from of old, been made manifest in its parts:
Clarity has been made manifest in heaven,
Firmness in earth,
Purity in the spirit,
In the valley conception,
In the river procreation;
And so in a leader ate the people made manifest
For wholeness of use.
But for clarity heaven would be veiled,
But for firmness earth would have crumbled,
But for purity spirit would have fumbled,
But for conception the valley would have failed,
But for procreation the river have run dry;
So, save for the people, a leader shall die:
Always the low carry the high
On a root for growing by.
What can stand lofty with no low foundation?
No wonder leaders of a land profess
Their stature and their station
To be servitude and lowliness!
If rim and spoke and hub were not,
Where would be the chariot?
Who will prefer the jingle of jade pendants if
He once has heard stone growing in a cliff!"
-  Translated by Witter Bynner, 1944, Chapter 39

 

 

"Those of ancient times attained oneness.
Heaven attained oneness and became clear;
Earth attained oneness and became calm;
Spirits attained oneness and became divine;
Valleys attained oneness and became full;
All things attained oneness and came to life;
Dukes and kings attained oneness and became models for the world.
All was achieved by oneness.
Heaven, without [oneness], becoming clear, might crack;
Earth, without [oneness], becoming calm, might explode;
Spirits, without [oneness], becoming divine, might be exhausted;
Valleys, without [oneness], becoming full, might dry up;
All things, without [oneness], receiving life, might perish;
Dukes and kings, without [oneness], becoming honorable, might fall.
Therefore, the superior takes the inferior as its root.
The high recognizes the low as its foundation.
Therefore, dukes and kings call themselves
"the lonely one", "the little one", and "the worthless one".
Is this not to recognize the lowly as the root?
Is not this?
Therefore, those who wish for great reputation have no reputation.
We do not want to be bright as jade or hard as stone."
-  Translated by Yi Wu, Chapter 39 

 

 

"Since time began,
this is what it’s meant
to be in touch with Tao:

Tao made the heavens clear.
Tao made the earth solid.
Tao made our spirits strong.
Tao made the valleys fertile.
Tao gave all living things life.
Tao gave rulers authority.

Without Tao,
the heavens would collapse.
Without Tao,
the earth would crumble.
Without Tao,
our spirits would fade away.
Without Tao,
the valleys would dry up.
Without Tao,
all life would become extinct.
Without Tao,
rulers would stumble and fall.

Humility gives us power.
Our leaders should think of themselves
as insignificant, powerless,
unworthy of their stature.
Isn’t that what humility is all about?

Be strong,
but pay no attention to hollow praise.
Don’t call attention to yourself.
Don’t make a scene."
-  Translated by Ron Hogan, 1995, Chapter 39 

 

 

 

Walking the Way: 81 Zen Encounters with the Tao Te Ching by Robert Meikyo Rosenbaum

The Tao of Zen by Ray Grigg

Tao Te Ching: Zen Teachings on the Taoist Classic by Takuan Soho 

Buddhism and Taoism Face to Face: Scripture, Ritual, and Iconographic Exchange in Medieval China by Christine Mollier  

 

                                     

 

 

 

"These are they which from of Old have obtained Unity.
Heaven obtained Unity by purity;
he earth obtained Unity by repose;
Spiritual beings obtained Unity by lack of bodily form;
The valleys obtained Unity by fulness;
All beings obtained Unity by life;
Princes and people obtained Unity by being under the rule of Heaven.
These all obtained permanence by Unity.
The innermost of Heaven is purity, if not so, it would be obscured;
The innermost of Earth is repose, it not so, it would disintegrate;
The innermost of spiritual beings is lack of bodily form, if not so, they would die;
The innermost of valleys is fulness of water, if not so, they would be sterile;
The innermost of creatures is life, if not so, they would perish.
The high honour of prince and people is in their being together under the rule of Inner Life, if not so, they would soon lose harmony,
The root of honour is in humility,
The standpoint of high estate is in lowliness.
That is why prince and people call themselves orphans, solitary men, chariots without wheels.
The active principle of their Unity is in lowliness.
Who can deny this?
If you take a chariot to pieces, you have no chariot (it has lost its Unity).
Do not desire to be isolated as a single gem, nor to be lost in a crowd as pebbles on the beach."
-  Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 39

 

 

"Those are in tune with the ancient One are:
Heaven becomes clear through one,
Earth becomes peaceful through one,
The spirit becomes vigorous through one,
The Valley becomes abounding through one,
Ten Thousand Things are born through one,
Kings and lords become leaders of the universe,
All these accomplishments are through one.
Unless heaven should become clear, it might fall apart.
Unless earth should become peaceful, it might be quaked.
Unless the spirit should become vigorous, it might be exhausted.
Unless the valley should become abounding, it might be draught.
Unless the Ten Thousand Things should are born, they might be extinct.
Unless kings and lords should become leaders, they might be destroyed.
Therefore, the noble is rooted in the humble,
The up is rooted in the down,
Therefore kings and lords call themselves “orphaned,” “widowed,” and “fruitless.”
Isn't this to make the humbleness their roots? Isn't it?
Too much honoring are no longer the honor,
They do not want to be dazzling like jade,
They want to be humble like stones."
-  Translated by Eichi Shimomisse, 1998, Chapter 39 

 

 

"Of old, these attained the One: Heaven attaining the One Became clear.
Earth attaining the One Became stable.
Spirits attaining the One Became sacred.
Valleys attaining the One Became bountiful.
Myriad beings attaining the One Became fertile.
Lords and kings attaining the One Purified the world.
If Heaven were not clear, It might split.
If Earth were not stable, It might erupt.
If spirits were not sacred, They might fade.
If valleys were not bountiful, They might wither.
If myriad beings were not fertile, They might perish.
If rulers and lords were not noble, They might stumble.
Therefore, Noble has humble as its root, High has low as its foundation.
Rulers and lords call themselves Poor and lonely orphans.
Isn't this using humility as a root?
They use many carriages, But have no carriage;.
They do not desire to glisten like jade, But drop like a stone."
-  Translated by Stephen Addis, 1993, Chapter 39 

 

 

 

Further Teachings of Lao-Tzu: Understanding the Mysteries (Wen Tzu)   By Thomas Cleary

The Lunar Tao: Meditations in Harmony with the Seasons   By Deng Ming-Dao

Awakening to the Tao   By Lui I-Ming (1780) and translated by Thomas Cleary

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices   By Mike Garofalo

Zhuangzi: The Essential Writings with Selections from Traditional Commentaries   Translation and commentary by Brook Ziporyn

The Inner Chapters of Chuang Tzu (Zhuangzi)   Translated by A. C. Graham

 

                                  

 

 

 

"Certain things have, by unity, lasted from most ancient times, namely:-
The transparency of Heaven;
The steadfastness of Earth;
The incorporeality of spirits;
The watery plenitude of valleys;
The life of all creations;
The government of kings and princes;
All these endure by unity.
But for the cause of its transparency Heaven would be in danger of obscuration.
But for the cause of its steadfastness the Earth would be in danger of disintegration.
But for the cause of their incorporeality spirits would be in danger of decease.
But for the cause of their plenitude the valleys would be in danger of sterility.
But for the cause of their vitality all creation would be in danger of destruction.
But for the cause of their honour and greatness princes and kings would be in danger of an overthrow.
Herein we see how honour is derived from that which is without distinction; and how greatness rests upon, and is sustained by, that which is insignificant.
Hence do princes and kings call themselves "orphans," "solitary men," and "chariots without wheels."
Do they not thereby acknowledge their authority to be vested in, and supported by, their superiors?
Who can deny it?
Surely "a chariot without wheels" is no chariot at all!
It is as hard for a man to be isolated like a single gem as to be lost in the crowd like a common pebble."
-  Translated by Walter Gorn Old, 1904, Chapter 39 

 

 

 

Tao Te Ching
 Chapter Number Index


Standard Traditional Chapter Arrangement of the Daodejing
Chapter Order in Wang Bi's Daodejing Commentary in 246 CE
Chart by Mike Garofalo
Subject Index
 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
81                  

 

 

 

 

"Those of old that attain the One:
Heaven attains the One thus is clear,
Earth attains the One thus is peaceful,
Spirits attain the One thus are efficacious,
Valleys attain the One thus are replenished,
Ten thousand beings attain the One thus come to be,
Princes and barons attain the One thus are exalted in the world.
All because they attain the One.
Heaven, without that which renders it clear, might crack,
Earth, without that which renders it peaceful, might explode,
Spirits, without that which makes them efficacious, might cease,
Valleys, without that which replenishes them, might become empty,
Ten thousand beings, without that which sustains them in existence, might become extinct,
Barons and kings, without that which exalts them to high positions, might be toppled.
Therefore the exalted is rooted in the humble,
The high has the low for foundation.
Therefore barons and kings call themselves orphaned, widowed and unworthy.
Is this not taking the humble for one's root?
Is it not?
Therefore the most famous has no fame.
Do not tinkle like jade,
Or chime like stones!"
-  Translated by Ellen Marie Chen, 2000, Chapter 39 

 

 

"Die einst das Eine erlangten:
Der Himmel erlangte das Eine und wurde rein.
Die Erde erlangte das Eine und wurde fest.
Die Götter erlangten das Eine und wurden mächtig.
Das Tal erlangte das Eine und erfüllte sich.
Alle Dinge erlangten das Eine und entstanden.
Könige und Fürsten erlangten das Eine
und wurden das Vorbild der Welt.
Das alles ist durch das Eine bewirkt.
Wäre der Himmel nicht rein dadurch, so müßte er bersten.
Wäre die Erde nicht fest dadurch, so müßte sie wanken.
Wären die Götter nicht mächtig dadurch,
so müßten sie erstarren.
Wäre das Tal nicht erfüllt dadurch,
so müßte es sich erschöpfen.
Wären alle Dinge nicht erstanden dadurch,
so müßten sie erlöschen.
Wären die Könige und Fürsten nicht erhaben dadurch,
so müßten sie stürzen.
Darum: Das Edle hat das Geringe zur Wurzel,
Das Hohe hat das Niedrige zur Grundlage.

Also auch die Fürsten und Könige:
Sie nennen sich, Einsam, Verwaist, Wenigkeit.
Dadurch bezeichnen sie das Geringe als ihre Wurzel.
Oder ist es nicht so?
Denn: Ohne die einzelnen Bestandteile eines Wagens
gibt es keinen Wagen.
Wünsche nicht das glänzende Gleißen des Juwels,
sondern die rohe Rauheit des Steins."
-  Translated by Richard Wilhelm, 1911, Chapter 39  

 

 

"Das Einfach-Eine - Wurzel aller Vielgestaltigkeitim Sein

Alles hohe Seyn ist Ausgliederung aus dem All-Einen,
in sich selber wieder eins:
Der Himmel erlangte die Einheit, daher seine klare Ordnung.
Die Erde erlangte die Einheit, daher ihre Festigkeit.
Die geistigen Kräfte erlangten die Einheit,
daher ihre Wirksamkeit.
Alles Empfängliche erlangte die Einheit,
daher seine Erfüllung.
Alles Lebendige erlangte die Einheit,
daher seine Fruchtbarkeit.
Selbst die Herrscher erlangten die Einheit,
daher ihre Vorbildlichkeit.
Alles ist durch die Einheit bewirkt.
Ohne klare Ordnung würde der Himmel wohl reißen.
Ohne ihre Festigkeit müsste sich die Erde wohl auflösen.
Ohne ihre Wirksamkeit
würden die geistigen Gestaltungskräfte wohl versagen.
Ohne seine Erfüllung bliebe alles Empfängliche wohl leer.
Ohne seine Fruchtbarkeit
müsste alles Lebendige wohl vergehen.
Ohne ihr vorbildliches Wirken
würden die Herrscher wohl gestürzt werden.
Der Weyse weiß, daß alles Edle im Einfachen wurzelt,
daß alles Erhabene sich auf Niedrigem aufbaut.
Daher betrachten sich auch die Fürsten und Könige
als hilflose, verlassene und geringe Diener,
wissend, daß auch sie im Einfach-Einen gründen.
Oder stimmt es nicht?
(Alles muß in seiner wesenhaften Einheit bleiben:)
Wer einen Wagen zerlegt, hat keinen Wagen mehr.
Wer wie ein Edelstein glänzen will,
ist nicht echt und fällt doch nur,
gleich einem gewöhnlichen Stein, tönend herab."
-  Translated by Rudolf Backofen, 1949, Chapter 39

 

 

"In the remote past there were those who attained the One.
Attaining the One, heaven is clear.
Attaining the One, earth is calm.
Attaining the One, God is holy.
Attaining the One, the cave is full.
Attaining the One, ten thousand creatures come into life.
Attaining the One, kings and princes become sovereign rulers of the world.
All of them are what they are by virtue of the one.
If heaven were not clear, it would fall to pieces.
If earth were not calm, it would quake.
If God were not holy, he would cease from being.
If the fountain were not full, it would dry up.
If ten thousand creatures did not come to life, they would perish.
If kings and princes were not supreme, they would stumble and fall.
Hence, humility is the root of greatness.
The high is built upon the foundation of the low.
That is why kings and princes style themselves "the solitary one," "the little one," and "the worthless one".
Is this not enough to prove that humility serves as root?
Therefore extreme honor means no honor.
Do not wish to shine like jade and be aloof like stone."
-  Translated by Tien Cong Tran, Chapter 39     

 

 

 

Creative Commons License

This webpage work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Created by Michael P. Garofalo, Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove Notebooks, Vancouver, Washington  © 2011-2021 CCA 4.0

 

 

 

Tao Te Ching: An Illustrated Journey   Translated by Stephen Mitchell

Tao Te Ching   Translated by David Hinton

The Book of Tao: Tao Te Ching - The Tao and Its Characteristics   Translated by James Legge

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

Taoism: Growth of a Religion   By Isabelle Robinet

Zhuangzi (Chuang Tsu), Daoist Scripture: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Quotations, Notes

Zhuangzi: Basic Writings   Translated by Burton Watson

Zhuangzi Speaks: The Music of Nature   An illustrated comic by Chih-chung Ts'ai

Lifestyle Advice from Wise Persons

 

                                              

 

 

 

"From of old the things that have acquired Unity are these:
Heaven by Unity has become clear;
Earth by Unity has become steady;
The Spirit by Unity has become spiritual;
The Valley by Unity has become full;
All things by Unity have come into existence;
Princes and kings by Unity have become rulers of the world.
If heaven were not clear, it would be rent.
If earth were not steady it would be tumbled down.
If the Spirit were not active, it would pass away.
If the Valley were not full, it would be dried up.
If all things were not existing, they would be extinct.
If princes and kings were not rulers, they would be overthrown.
The noble must be styled in terms of the humble;
The high must take the low as their foundation.
Therefore princes and kings must call themselves 'the ignorant', 'the virtueless' and 'the unworthy'.
Does this not mean that they take the humble as their root?
What men hate most are 'the ignorant', 'the virtueless' and 'the unworthy'.
And yet princes and kings chose them as their titles.
Therefore the highest fame is to have no fame.
Thus kings are increased by being diminished;
They are diminished by being increased.
It is undesirable to be as prominent as a single gem,
Or as monotonously numerous as stones."
-  Translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao, 1904, Chapter 39 

 

 

These things in the past obtained the One:
The heavens obtained the One through clearness.
The earth obtained the One through stability.
The spirits obtained the One through supernatural powers.
The valley obtained the One through being filled.
The rulers obtained the One through acting in a way that brings everything in the world to a straight course.
It is said:
The heavens must not stop being clear or there would be anxiety that it would split apart.
The earth must not stop being stable or there would be anxiety that it would crumble.
The spirits must not stop having supernatural power or there would be anxiety that they would become impotent.
The valley must not stop being able to be filled or there would be anxiety that it will be glutted.
The rulers must not stop being valued for their high position or there would be anxiety that they would fall.
Therefore,
Some things must be valued, yet that is based on their devaluation.
Some things must be lofty, yet their foundation is built on what is below.
So, it’s only natural for rulers to speak about themselves as alone, isolated and “The One Without Grain”.
Is this how they devalue their own competency?
What a contradiction.
Therefore they cause their carriages to be counted while claiming they have none.
It is correct therefore for them not to want to shine like sparkling jade charms which attract attention.
Being hard and cold like a rock."
-  Translated by Nina Correa, 2005, Chapter 39 

 

 

"In ancient times there was unity.
Heaven benefited from unity and became pure.
Earth benefited from unity and became stabilized.
The soul benefited from unity and became divine.
The valleys benefited from unity and became bountiful.
Ten-thousand things (everything) benefited from unity and were born.
All people benefited from unity and became Heaven below’s (the sacred body's) high principle.
They achieved this.

Without purity, fear would split Heaven apart.
Without solidity, fear would cause the Earth to crumble.
Without divinity, fear would shut down the soul.
Without abundance, fear would deplete the valleys.
Without birth, fear would cause the ten-thousand things to perish.
Without taking in hand their exalted treasure, fear would cause the people to stumble.
Thus, value is rooted in humble action.
High positions are humble and form the foundation.
When people say orphans and widows are not worthy, it surely is not the root of humble action.
Surely not!

Therefore, looking for praise does not bring success.
Do not desire to sparkle, sparkle like a jewel.
Instead, resemble a necklace, a necklace of rocks."
-  Translated by Alan Sheets and Barbara Tovey, 2002, Chapter 39 

 

 

"Voici les choses qui jadis ont obtenu l'Unité.
Le ciel est pur parce qu'il a obtenu l'Unité.
La terre est en repos parce qu'elle a obtenu l'Unité.
Les esprits sont doués d'une intelligence divine parce qu'ils ont obtenu l'Unité.
Les vallées se remplissent parce qu'elles ont obtenu l'Unité.
Les dix mille êtres naissent parce qu'ils ont obtenu l'Unité.
Les princes et rois sont les modèles du monde parce qu'ils ont obtenu l'Unité.
Voilà ce que l'unité produit.
Si le ciel perdait sa pureté, il se dissoudrait;
Si la terre perdait son repos, elle s'écroulerait;
Si les esprits perdaient leur intelligence divine, ils s'anéantiraient;
Si les vallées ne se remplissaient plus, elles se dessécheraient;
Si les dix mille êtres ne naissaient plus, ils s'éteindraient;
Si les princes et les rois s'enorgueillissaient de leur noblesse et de leur élévation, et cessaient d'être les modèles du monde, ils seraient renversés.
C'est pourquoi les nobles regardent la roture comme leur origine; les hommes élevés regardent la bassesse de la condition comme leur premier fondement.
De là vient que les princes et les rois s'appellent eux-mêmes orphelins, hommes de peu de mérite, hommes dénués de vertu.
Ne montrent-ils pas par là qu'ils regardent la roture comme leur véritable origine?
Et ils ont raison!
C'est pourquoi si vous décomposez un char, vous n'avez plus de char.
Le sage ne veut pas être estimé comme le jade, ni méprisé comme la pierre."
-  Translated by Stanislas Julien, 1842, Chapter 39 

 

 

 

Spanish Language Versions of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing)
Tao Te Ching en Español


Lao Tsé Tao Te Ching   Traducido al español por Anton Teplyy

Tao Te Ching   Traducido por Stephen Mitchell, versión española  

Tao Te Ching   Traducido al español por el Padre Carmelo Elorduy

Lifestyle Advice from Wise Persons   Consejos de Estilo de Vida de Sabios

Tao Te Ching en Español

Lao Tzu-The Eternal Tao Te Ching   Traducido al español por Yuanxiang Xu y Yongjian Yin 

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices   By Mike Garofalo    Maduración Duraznos: Estudios y Prácticas Taoístas por Mike Garofalo

Tao Te Ching - Wikisource

Tao Te Ching   Traducido al español por William Scott Wilson. 

Lao Tzu - Tao Te Ching   Traducido al español por Javier Cruz

Tao te king   Translated by John C. H. Wu, , versión española  

Daodejing   Español, Inglés, y Chino Versiones Lingüísticas de la Daodejing


 

                                      

 

 

 

Spanish Language Translations of the Tao Te Ching

 

"De las cosas antiguas no faltan las que alcanzaron la Unidad:
El Cielo alcanzó la Unidad y se hizo diáfano;
La Tierra alcanzó la Unidad y se volvió tranquila;
El Chi alcanzó la Unidad y se hizo poderoso;
Los manantiales alcanzaron la Unidad y quedaron colmados;
Los diez mil seres alcanzaron la Unidad y pudieron reproducirse;
Los reyes y príncipes alcanzaron la Unidad y se
convirtieron en gobernantes soberanos del mundo.
Todos ellos son lo que son en virtud de la Unidad.
Si el Cielo no fuera diáfano, estallaría en pedazos;
Si la Tierra no estuviera tranquila, se derrumbaría en fragmentos;
Si los manantiales no estuvieran colmados, se secarían;
Si el Chi no fuera poderoso, dejaría de existir;
Si los diez mil seres no pudieran reproducirse,
acabarían por extinguirse;
Si los reyes y príncipes no fueran los gobernantes soberanos, vacilarían y caerían sus imperios.
Por esto, lo humilde es la raíz de la nobleza.
Por sobre el pueblo se funda la aristocracia.
Es por esto por lo que reyes y príncipes se denominan a sí mismos
"El Desvalido", "El Ignorante" y "El Indigno".
Esto es porque ellos saben que dependen del humilde.
Por lo tanto, el honor máximo es de aquel que no lo pretende.
El Sabio no prefiere ser como el jade,
sino como el más vulgar guijarro."
-  Translation from Wikisource, 2013,
Capítulo 39  

 

 

"De las cosas antiguas no faltan las que alcanzaron la Unidad.
El cielo alcanzó la Unidad y se hizo diáfano;
la tierraalcanzó la Unidad y se volvió tranquila;
los espíritusalcanzaron la Unidad y se llenaron de poderes místicos;
los manantialesalcanzaron la Unidad y quedaron colmados;
las diez mil criaturas alcanzaronla Unidad y pudieron reproducirse;
los señores y príncipesalcanzaron la Unidad y se convirtieron en gobernantes soberanos del mundo.
Todos ellos son lo que son en virtud de la Unidad.
Si el cielo no fuera diáfano, estallaría en pedazos;
si la tierra no estuviera tranquila, se derrumbaría en fragmentos;
si los manantiales no estuvieran colmados, se secarían;
si los espíritusno estuvieran llenos de poderes místicos, dejarían de existir;
si las diez mil criaturas no pudieran reproducirse, llegarían aextinguirse;
si los señores y príncipes no fueran los gobernantessoberanos, vacilarían y caerían.
Es verdad, la humildad es la raíz de la que brota la grandeza,
y lo elevado ha de construirse sobre los cimientos de lo humilde.
Es por esto por lo que señores y príncipes se denominana
sí mismos "El Desvalido", "El Ignorante" y "El Indigno".
Tal vez, ellos también se dan cuenta de que dependen de lo humilde.
En verdad, demasiado honor equivale a ningún honor.
No es de sabios brillar como jade ni resonar como los sonajeros depiedras."
-  Translated into Spanish by Alfonso Colodrón from the English translation by John C. H. Wu, 1993, Tao Te Ching, Capítulo 39

 

 

"En tiempos míticos todas las cosas estaban completas:
Todo el cielo estaba despejado,
Toda la tierra era estable,
Todas las montañas eran altas,
Todos los ríos estaban llenos,
Toda la Naturaleza estaba viva,
Todos los gobernantes eran apoyados.

Pero sin claridad, el cielo se nubla;
Sin estabilidad, la tierra se rompe;
Sin fuerza, la montaña se erosiona;
Sin agua, el río se seca;
Sin vida, la Naturaleza se agosta;
Sin apoyo, los gobernantes caen.

Así pues, los gobernantes dependen de su gente,
El noble depende del humilde;
Y los gobernantes se muestran a si mismos huerfanos, solitarios o imposibilitados,
Para ganar el apoyo del pueblo.

La completitud no gana apoyos.
Así pues, hay debilidad en el poder,
Y poder en la debilidad;
Antes que tintinear como el jade,
Uno debería retumbar como las piedras."
-  Translated by Antonio Rivas Gonzálvez, 1998, Tao Te Ching, Capítulo 39

 

 

"En tiempos míticos todas las cosas eran enteras:
Todo el cielo estaba despejado,
Toda la tierra estaba estable,
Todas las montañas eran firmes,
Todos los lechos de los ríos estaban llenos,
Toda la naturaleza era fértil,
Y todos los gobernantes fueron apoyados.

Pero, perdiendo claridad, el cielo se arrancó;
Perder estabilidad, la tierra se divide;
Perder fuerza, las montañas se hundieron;
Perder el agua, los lechos de los ríos se agrietaron;
Perder la fertilidad, la naturaleza desapareció;
Y perdiendo apoyo, los gobernantes cayeron.

Los gobernantes dependen de sus súbditos,
Los nobles dependen de los humildes;
Así que los gobernantes se llaman huérfanos, hambrientos y solos,
Para ganar el apoyo del pueblo".
-  Translated into English by Isaac Peter Merel, 1992, Chapter 39. 
   Spanish version from Michael P. Garofalo

 

 

"Todo lo primordial alcanza la unidad.
Alcanzada la unidad el cielo se aclara.
Alcanzada !a unidad la tierra se hace firme.
Alcanzada la unidad los espíritus se hacen poderosos.
Alcanzada la unidad el valle se llena.
Alcanzada la unidad !os diez mil seres se vuelven reproductivos.
Alcanzada la unidad príncipes y reyes se vuelven señores del mundo.
Todos son lo que son por virtud de la unidad.
Si el cielo no fuera claro podría caerse en pedazos.
Si la tierra no fuera firme podría desmoronarse.
Si los espíritus no tuviesen poderes dejarían de existir.
Si el valle no tuviera lo que lo llena podría secarse.
Si los diez mil seres no fueran reproductivos podrían desaparecer.
Si príncipes y reyes no fueran señores del mundo serían destronados.
Lo que es grande hace de lo humilde su raíz.
Lo que está en alto se fundamenta en lo que está abajo.
Esta es la razón por la cual príncipes y reyes se califican a sí mismos, pequeños, desamparados a inútiles.
¿No será porque quizá reconocen la humildad de su raíz?
Es por eso que un carro es más que la suma de sus piezas.
Por lo tanto, el jade siendo jade nunca deja de ser piedra."
Translation from Logia Medio Dia, 2015,
Capítulo 39

 

 

Desde antiguo, los seres que han alcanzado el Uno son:
El cielo por el Uno tuvo la claridad;
La tierra por el Uno tuvo la estabilidad;
El Espíritu por el Uno tuvo la actividad;
El Valle por el Uno tuvo la plenitud.
Por el Uno, todos los seres entraron en la existencia:
Si el cielo no fuese puro, podría desgarrarse.
Si la tierra no fuese estable, podría derrumbarse:
Si el Espíritu no fuese activo, dejaría de existir;
Si el Valle no fuese pleno, se consumiría. 
Sin la potencia creadora de vida, los seres se extinguirían. 
Se reyes y príncipes no fueran gobernantes podrían ser depuestos. 
El noble debe formarse en términos del humilde. 
El de alta posición debe considerar al inferíor como su fundamento. 
Por tanto, reyes y príncipes se llaman a sí mismos (el ignorante, el injusto, el indigno). 
No significa esto que toman al humilde como su origen? 
-  Translated from Chinese into English by Ch'u Ta-Kao, Translated from English into Spanish by Caridad Diaz Faes,
Capítulo 39

 

 

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Tao Te Ching
Commentary, Interpretations, Research Tools, Resources
Chapter 39

 

Das Tao Te King von Lao Tse.  Complete versions of all 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching by many different translators in many languages: 124 English, 24 German, 14 Russian, 7 Spanish, 5 French and many other languages.  Links are organized first by languages, and then alphabetically by translators.  Formatting varies somewhat.  The original website at Onekellotus went offline in 2012; but, the extensive collection of these Tao Te Ching versions was saved for posterity by the Internet Archive Wayback Machine and available as of 9/9/2015.  This is an outstanding original collection of versions of the Daodejing─ the Best on the Internet.  Caution: copyright infringement may sometimes be an issue at this website. 


Tao Te Ching, Translations into English: Terebess Asia Online (TAO).  124 nicely formatted complete English language translations, on separate webpages, of the Daodejing.  Alphabetical index by translators.  Each webpage has all 81 chapters of the Tao Te Ching translated into English.  A useful collection!  Many reformatted and colored versions from the original collection at Das Tao Te King von Lao Tse.  Caution: copyright infringement may sometimes be an issue at this website. 


Lao Tzu: Te-Tao Ching - A New Translation Based on the Recently Discovered Ma-wang-tui Texts (Classics of Ancient China) Translated with and introduction and detailed exposition and commentary by Professor Robert G. Henricks.  New York, Ballantine Books, 1992.  Includes Chinese characters for each chapter.  Bibliography, detailed notes, 282 pages. 


Daodejing by Laozi: Chapters with Chinese characters, seal script, detailed word by word concordance, Pinyin (tone#), German, French and English.  This is an outstanding resource for serious students of the Tao Te Ching


Tao Te Ching: A New Translation and Commentary.  By Ellen Chen.  Paragon House, 1998.  Detailed glossary, index, bibliography, notes, 274 pages. 


The Tao and Method: A Reasoned Approach to the Tao Te Ching.  By Michael Lafargue.  New York, SUNY Press, 1994.  640 pages.  Detailed index, bibliography, notes, and tables.  An essential research tool. 


Two Visions of the Way: A Study of the Wang Pi and the Ho-Shang Kung Commentaries on the Lao-Tzu.  By Professor by Alan Kam-Leung Chan.   SUNY Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture.  State University of New York Press, 1991.  Index, bibliography, glossary, notes, 314 pages.  ISBN: 0791404560.     


Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition  By Jonathan Star.  Translation, commentary and research tools.  New York, Jeremy P. Tarcher, Penguin, 2001.  Concordance, tables, appendices, 349 pages.  A new rendition of the Tao Te Ching is provided, then a verbatim translation with extensive notes.  Detailed tables for each verse provide line number, all the Chinese characters, Wade-Giles Romanization, and a list of meanings for each character.  An excellent print reference tool! 


Chinese Reading of the Daodejing  Wang Bi's Commentary on the Laozi with Critical Text and Translation.  By Professor Rudolf G. Wagner.  A SUNY Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture.  English and Mandarin Chinese Edition.  State University of New York Press; Bilingual edition (October 2003).  540 pages.  ISBN: 978-0791451823.  Wang Bi (Wang Pi, Fusi), 226-249 CE, Commentary on the Tao Te Ching.


Tao Te Ching  Translated by D. C. Lau.  Addison Wesley, Reprint Edition, 2000.  192 pages.  ISBN: 978-0140441314. 

 

 

                                                           

 

 

The Taoism Reader  By Thomas Cleary.  Shambhala, 2012.  192 pages.


Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao  By Wayne W. Dyer.  Hay House, Reprint Edition, 2009.  416 pages. 


The Lunar Tao: Meditations in Harmony with the Seasons.  By Deng Ming-Dao.  New York, Harper Collins, 2013.  429 pages.  


The Classic of the Way and Virtue: A New Translation of the Tao-te Ching of Laozi as Interpreted by Wang Bi.  Translated by Richard John Lynn.  Translations from the Asian Classics Series.  New York, Columbia University Press, 1999.  Extensive index, glossaries, notes, 244 pages. 


Tao Te Ching in Chinese characters, Pinyin Romanization, English and German by Dr. Hilmar Alquiros. 


Stoicism and Hellenistic Philosophy  


How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons 


One Old Philosopher's Notebooks  Research, Reading, and Reflections by Mike Garofalo.


Virtues and a Good Life


Yellow Bridge Dao De Jing Comparison Table   Provides side by side comparisons of translations of the Tao Te Ching by James Legge, D. T. Suzuki, and Dwight Goddard.  Chinese characters for each paragraph in the Chapter are on the left; place your cursor over the Chinese characters to see the Pinyin Romanization of the Chinese character and a list of meanings. 


Translators Index, Tao Te Ching Versions in English, Translators Sorted Alphabetically by Translator, Links to Books and Online Versions of the Chapters 


Taoism and the Tao Te Ching: Bibliography, Resources, Links


Spanish Language Translations of the Tao Te Ching, Daodejing en Español, Translators Index 


Concordance to the Daodejing


The Tao of Zen.  By Ray Grigg.  Tuttle, 2012, 256 pages.  Argues for the view that Zen is best characterized as a version of philosophical Taoism (i.e., Laozi and Zhuangzi) and not Mahayana Buddhism. 


Chapter 41 in the Rambling Taoist Commentaries by Trey Smith.  The Rambling Taoists are Trey Smith and Scott Bradley. 


The Philosophy of the Daodejing  By Hans-Georg Moeller.  Columbia University Press, 2006, 176 pages.  


Valley Spirit, Gu Shen, Concept, Chapter 6   Valley Spirit Center in Red Bluff, California.   Sacred Circle in the Gushen Grove. 


Lao-tzu's Taoteching
 Translated by Red Pine (Bill Porter).  Includes many brief selected commentaries for each Chapter draw from commentaries in the past 2,000 years.  Provides a verbatim translation and shows the text in Chinese characters.  San Francisco, Mercury House, 1996, Second Edition, 184 pages.  An invaluable resource for commentaries.   


Reading Lao Tzu: A Companion to the Tao Te Ching with a New Translation  By Ha Poong Kim.  Xlibris, 2003, 198 pages. 


Dao De Jing: A Philosophical Translation  By Roger T. Ames and David T. Hall.  Ballantine, 2003, 256 pages. 


Thematic Index to the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching


Lieh-Tzu: A Taoist Guide to Practical Living.  Translated by Eva Wong.  Lieh-Tzu was writing around 450 BCE.  Boston, Shambhala, 2001.  Introduction, 246 pages. 


Revealing the Tao Te Ching: In-depth Commentaries on an Ancient Classic.  By Hu Huezhi.  Edited by Jesse Lee Parker.  Seven Star Communications, 2006.  240 pages. 


Cloud Hands Blog   Mike Garofalo writes about Mind-Body Arts, Philosophy, Taoism, Gardening, Taijiquan, Walking, Mysticism, Qigong, and the Eight Ways.


The Whole Heart of Tao: The Complete Teachings From the Oral Tradition of Lao Tzu.
By John Bright-Fey.  Crane Hill Publishers, 2006.  376 pages.

 


 

                                               

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Laozi, Dao De Jing

 

 

Gushen Grove Notebooks for the Tao Te Ching


Research and Indexing by
Michael P. Garofalo

 

 

Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove Notebooks,
Red Bluff, California, 2011-2017; Vancouver, Washington, 2017-2021

Indexed and Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo M.S.
 

This webpage was last edited, improved, reformatted, corrected, modified or updated on February 12, 2021.   

This webpage was first distributed online on April 11, 2011. 

 

 

Creative Commons License

This webpage work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Created by Michael P. Garofalo, Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove Notebooks, Vancouver, Washington  © 2011-2021 CCA 4.0


 

 

Michael P. Garofalo's E-mail

Brief Biography of Michael P. Garofalo, M.S.

 

 


 


Ripening Peaches: Daoist Studies and Practices

Taoism: Resources and Guides
 

Cloud Hands Blog


Valley Spirit Qigong

Ways of Walking

The Spirit of Gardening

Months: Cycles of the Seasons

Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu, Zhuang Zhou, Master Chuang)  369—286 BCE

Chan (Zen) and Taoist Poetry

Yang Style Taijiquan

Chen Style Taijiquan

Taoist Perspectives: My Reading List

Meditation

Bodymind Theory and Practices, Somaesthetics

The Five Senses

 

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons

 

Grandmaster Chang San Feng

Virtue and a Good Life

Qigong (Chi Kung) Health Practices

One Old Daoist Druid's Final Journey: Notebooks of the Librarian of Gushen Grove

Cloud Hands: T'ai Chi Ch'uan

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

Index to Cloud Hands and Valley Spirit Websites

 

Gushen Grove Notebooks for the Tao Te Ching 

Introduction

Bibliography  

Index to English Language Translators of the Tao Te Ching

Thematic Index 1-81  

Chapter Index 1-81    

Concordance to the Daodejing

Recurring Themes (Terms, Concepts, Leimotifs) in the Tao Te Ching

Spanish Language Translations of the Tao Te Ching

Resources

The Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) circa 500 BCE

 

 

 

Cloud Hands Blog

 

 

 

Tao Te Ching
 Chapter Number Index


Standard Traditional Chapter Arrangement of the Daodejing
Chapter Order in Wang Bi's Daodejing Commentary in 246 CE
Chart by Mike Garofalo
Subject Index
 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
81                  

 

 

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