"All under Heaven has a generatrix, which we regard as
the mother of all under Heaven.
Once one has access to the mother,
through it he can know the child.
Once one knows the child, if he again
holds on to the mother, as long as he lives,
no danger shall befall him.
Block up your apertures; close your door,
And to the end of your life you
will never be exhausted.
But if you open your apertures
and deal consciously with things,
to the end of your life you will never have relief.
To see the small is called "perspicacious."
To hold on to softness is called "strength."
Make use of its brightness,
But always let its brightness revert.
Never let one's person be exposed
to disaster: this is a matter of practicing constancy."
- Translation by Richard Lynn, Chapter 52

"Return to the Origin
Kuei Yuan

The world has a beginning as its mother.
Having got hold of the mother,
Know her children;
And having known the children,
Further hold on to the mother,
And you will survive the disappearance of the body.
Stop up the aperture of the vessel (tui),
And shut the doors (of the senses),
And you will not be devitalized all your life.
Open the aperture of the vessel,
And fulfill your carnal affairs,
And your whole life will be beyond salvation.
To be able to see the minute is to have keen vision;
To be able to remain docile is to be strong.
Make use of the light,
Withdraw its brilliance inward,
Cause no injury to your body -
This is called "Abide by the Immutable." "
- Translated by Henry Wei, 1982, Chapter 52

"Source: If we understand the origin, we see the outcome

The world has a source which is the mother of the world.
When we know the mother, we will understand her children.
In understanding her children we will regain the protection of the mother,
and until our death we will suffer no harm.

If we cease our idle chatter and close the door,
then we will have an easy life.
If we’re engaged in endless chatter, and crave many things,
then we will have a difficult life.

Noticing the subtle signs is to have understanding.
Keeping our sensitivity is to have strength.
By developing our clarity, we find wisdom.
If we don’t bring trouble into our lives,
we are able to practice equanimity."
- Translated by Roderic and Amy M. Sorrell, 2003, Chapter 52

"The universe has a beginning (Tao);
The beginning functions as the mother of all things.
If you know the mother,
You can get to know her children (all things);
If, while knowing the children,
You keep the mother,
You will be a sage all your life.
Block the openings (of knowledge),
Shut the door (of desires),
And you will be free from illness all your life.
Unlock the openings,
Add to your cares,
And you will be incurable all your life.
To be able to perceive the minute is called discernment;
To be able to play the role of the weak is called the strong.
Use the light
To return to the intrinsic discernment
And you will be free from disasters.
This is called the eternal Tao."
- Translated by Gu Zhengkun, Chapter 52

“All the universal things have a common origin. We regard it as the “Mother” of all things.
Gaining the mother, we can know its children,
Knowing how the children come into being, we can return to hold onto the mother.
Thus ensuring nor danger to life.
Closing the eyes and shutting up the mouth,
One can keep from sickness forever.
Opening the eyes to chase after desires and passions,
One can be helpless forever.
Watching less and less can be enlightened.
Holding onto the weak can be mighty.
Using the outgoing eyesight,
To turn to illuminate the inward,
Thus, there can be no disaster to the body.
This is called practicing enduring Tao.”
- Translated by Hu Huezhi, Chapter 52

"All creation consists of polarities.
The fundamental polarity of creation is called Plus/Minus. Yin/Yang, or Feminine/Masculine.
This fundamental polarity is self-impregnating.
It is an androgynous womb which produces everything.
Everything includes me.
I am a process consisting of polarities, which develop according to the single principle.
I am a child of God.
I come from the womb of creation.
This knowledge gives me stability.
If I were to put my faith in some thing or person or creed, I would have no stability.
People and things and creeds come and go and change all the time.
I would live in fear that the thing I adore would be lost,
or the person I obeyed would die, or the creed I followed would be altered.
So my only allegiance is to the single principle.
I can look at a person and see both principle and process in them.
I can see how they work.
I can see them actually working.
That is the basis of my ability as a group leader."
- Translated by John Heider, 1985, Chapter 52

"Learning The Absolute

Lao Tze says,
Since the beginning of the universe, there was the Tao which may be regarded as the mother of all existence.
When a man knows about the mother, he has to know about the son.
When he knows about the son, he proceeds to guard the mother that belongs to him, to the end of his life he will be free from all peril.
Let him keep his mouth closed, and shut up his eyes, and all his life he will be exempt from toil.
Let him keep his mouth open, and his eyes be used to examine the affairs, and all his life there will not be safety for him.
The perception of smallness is clear-sighted;
the guard of the soft and tender grows strong.
He who uses his light reverting to become bright, will ward all blight from his eyesight.
This is the so-called learning of the absolute."
- Translated by Shi Fu Hwang, Chapter 52

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

"The world had a beginning
And this beginning could be the mother of the world.
When you know the mother
Go on to know the child.
After you have known the child
Go back to holding fast to the mother,
And to the end of your days you will not meet with danger.
Block the openings,
Shut the doors,
And all your life you will not run dry.
Unblock the openings,
Add to your troubles,
And to the end of your days you will be beyond salvation.
To see the small is called discernment;
To hold fast to the submissive is called strength.
Use the light
But give up the discernment.
Bring not misfortune upon yourself.
This is known as following the constant."
- Translation by D. C. Lau, Chapter 52

"That which was the beginning of all things under heaven
We may speak of as the “mother” of all things.
He who apprehends the mother
Thereby knows the sons.
And he who has known the sons,
Will hold all the tighter to the mother,
And to the end of his days suffer no harm;
“Block the passages, shut the doors,
And till the end your strength shall not fail.
Open up the passages, increase your doings,
And till your last day no help shall come to you.”
As good sight means seeing what is very small
So strength means holding on to what is weak.
He who having used the outer-light can return to the innerlight
Is thereby preserved from all harm.
This is called resorting to the always-so."
- Translated by Arthur Waley, Chapter 52

"The source is a mother.
Nature is her child.
To know the mother, know the children.
They - you - will always return to her.
They - you - will persist in death.
Stop your chattering,
close your eyes and find the still moment
that is the center and the end of life.
Find truth even, or especially, in what is smallest.
Let the light bathe your body.
Live."
- Translated by Crispin Starwell, Chapter 52

"All the things in the world have their origin in something, which is their foundation.
Having grasped the Mother as the foundation of all things, one can know her children as all things.
Having grasped the children as the thing, one must hold to the Mother as the foundation of all things.
Thus one will never encounter danger all his life.
Blocking the vent of knowledge and closing the door of knowledge can keep one from sickness all his life.
Opening the vent of knowledge and completing the enterprise of knowledge will make one helpless all his life.
So, perceiving the minute is "sagaciousness,"
Remaining soft and weak is "powerfulness."
Using one's contained light and reverting to one's sagaciousness of knowing the minute,
And thus keeping oneself from disaster, is to become accustomed to the eternal Way.
- Translated by Ren Jiyu, 1985, Chapter 52

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.

"If you trace problems in your relationship
back to the beginning
you will find their seeds
were sown and then ignored.
They grew unnoticed until their fruit
ripened and surprised you.
But if you can find
where the seeds were sown,
there you will find the roots as well.
And if you remove the roots
your problems will wither."
- Translated by William Martin, Chapter 52

Chapter 52

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)

English and Chinese (Wade-Giles) Terms: Earth or Below Heaven (t'ien hsia), Returning to the Source, Has or Possess (yu), Great Mother (mu), Make or Become (wei), Soft or Tender (jou), Small (hsiao), Atain or Know (tê), Avoiding Misfortune, Tao, Study Origins or Beginning (shih), Return (fu), Silence, Hold or Keep (shou), Eternal, Person or Body (shên), Longevity, Free (pu), Danger or Harm (tai), Close or Stop Up (sai), Humility, Mouth or Opening (tui), Listening, Gate or Door (mên), Seeds, Toil or Labor (ch'in), Open or Unlock (k'ai), Undying Nature, Meddle (chi), Softness, Brightness, Constancy, Limit Senses, Child (tzu), Strength, Dao, Nurturing, Illumination, Meditation, Inner Light, Constant, Insight or Know (chih), Inner Life, Contain Energy, Activities or Affairs (shih), End or Utmost (chung), Rescue or Save (chiu), Discern or See (chien), Light or Bright or Shine (ming, kuang), Roots, Hold or Keep (shou), Strong (ch'iang), Return (fu), Wither, Expose or Surrender (yi), Offspring, Misfortune or Danger (yang), Clarity, Practice or Custom (hsi), Enlightenment, Eternal or Everlasting (ch'ang), Quiet, Gentle, Examine Relationships, 歸元

Términos en Español: De Regreso a la Fuente, Gran Madre, Suave y Pequeña, Evitar Infortunio, Orígenes del Estudio, Silencio, Eterno, Longevidad, Humildad, Escuchar, Semillas, Naturaleza, Suavidad, Brillo, Constancia, Limite Sentidos, Niño, Puerta, Fuerza, Nutrir, Iluminación, Meditación, Vida Interior, Contienen Energía, Infortunio, Raíz, Hijos, Claridad, Ilustración, Tranquilo, Tierra, Poseer, Comienzo, Marca, Alcanzar, Conocer, Retorno, Mantenga, Persona, Gratuito, Peligro, Daño, Cerrar, Boca, Puerta, Trabajo, Abrir, Desbloqueo, Entrometerse, Actividades, Fin, Máxima, Rescate, Guardar, Discernir, Ver, Brillante, Mantenga, Tierno, Fuerte, Retorno, Rendición, Infortunio, Personalizado, Eterno.

A Chinese Language Version of Chapter 52 of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
A note on my style of displaying the Chinese characters of the Tao Te Ching

天下有始, 以為天下母.
既得¹其母, 以知其子.
既知其子, 復守其母.
沒身不殆.
塞其兌, 閉其門, 終身不勤.
開其兌, 濟其事, 終身不救.
見小曰明.
守柔曰強.
用其光.
復歸其明.
無遺身殃.
是為習常.
- Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 52

t'ien hsia yu shih, yi wei t'ien hsia mu.
chi tê ch'i mu, yi chih ch'i tzu.
chi chih ch'i tzu, fu shou ch'i mu.
mo shê pu tai.
sai ch'i tui, pi ch'i mên, chung shên pu ch'in.
k'ai ch'i tui, chi ch'i shih, chung shên pu chiu.
chien hsiao yüeh ming.
shou jou yüeh ch'iang.
yung ch'i kuang.
fu kuei ch'i ming.
wu yi shên yang.
shih wei hsi ch'ang.
- Wade-Giles Romanization, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 52

tian xia you shi, yi wei tian xia mu.
ji de qi mu, yi zhi qi zi.
ji zhi qi zi, fu shou qi mu.
mo shen bu dai.
se qi dui, bi qi men, zhong shen bu qin.
kai qi dui, ji qi shi, zhong shen bu jiu.
jian xiao yue ming.
shou rou yue qiang.
yong qi guang.
fu gui qi ming.
wu yi shen yang.
shi wei xi chang.
- Hanyu Pinyin Romanization, Daodejing, Chapter 52

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

Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition Chinese characters, Wade-Giles (1892) Romanization, and a list of meanings for each character by Jonathan Star

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

"This world must have begun in certain way;
We may thenceforth consider it the origin (mother) of our world;
Once we manage to ascertain the origin, we could [apply it] to study its offsprings;
After we learn more about the offsprings, we may reciprocally eke out our knowledge about the mother (the origin);
This is my never-ending life-long quest.
If paths and openings of one's connections [to the outside world] are blocked, he will never be aroused to do anything in life;
If paths and openings of one's connections [to the outside world] are unlocked and he is properly motivated, he will never cease [from the quest described above].
One who perceives subtleties is brilliant;
One who maintains humility is strong.
One who would use [the light of Tao] to illuminate his [potential] brilliance will thus leave behind nothing that could cause misfortune to later generations.
A person, who achieves all of the above described fulfillment, is what I called the person with embodiment of the perpetual [Te]."
- Translated by Lee Org, Chapter 52

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

Dao De Jing: A Philosophical Translation By Roger T. Ames and David T. Hall

The Way and Its Power: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching and Its Place in Chinese Thought By Arthur Waley

"The beginning of the universe, when materialized, is considered to be a mother.
When a man finds the mother, he will know the children, accordingly.
Even though he knows the children, he still clings to the mother:
Therefore, although his body wanes, he never perishes.
The person who shuts his mouth and closes his doors
Will never perish.
If he opens his mouth and increases his affairs,
He will never be saved.
The person who sees the tiniest thing possesses clear vision,
The person who adheres to the weak possesses strength.
Use your light, but dim your brightness,
In this way you will not do yourself any harm.
This is called following the eternal Tao."
- Translated by Chou-Wing Chohan, Chapter 52

"Tao is the cause of everything.
By knowing the cause, the effects could be known.
Even from the middle of manifestations, the cause could be seen.
Thus the Wise Person lives in harmony,
He doesn't take any front position thus he is protected
Thus all problems are avoided.
The Wise Person can see the cause of things.
Being able to see the cause he can know the manifestations.
Being soft it is his strength, expanding he is always in harmony.
This is the way he lives in eternity."
- Translated by Sarbatoare, Chapter 52

"Being the essence, the universal beginning,
It is known as the Mother of All Things.
Knowing the Mother, the essence, the Tao -
All Things, being children of the Mother, are likewise known.
In truly knowing the children,
Better is the understanding of the Mother.
Harm and danger are forever elusive.

In silence and moderation of sensory disturbance,
Life's strengths are maintained.
In babble and meddlesome activity,
Life's burdens prevail.

Seeing the subtle and small is true vision.
Yielding, is the display of true strength.
Using wisely our worldly resources - the "Outer Lights",
The "Inner Lights" of true self are awakened and known.
Thus, eluding harm and danger,
Absolute and natural virtue prevail."
- Translated by Alan B. Taplow, 1982, Chapter 52

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

"When creation began, Tao became the world's mother.
When one knows one's mother he will m turn know that he is her son.
When he recognizes his sonship, he will in turn keep to his mother and to the end of life will be free from danger.
He who closes his mouth and shuts his sense gates will be free from trouble to the end of life.
He who opens his mouth and meddles with affairs cannot be free from trouble even to the end of life.
To recognize one's insignificance is called enlightenment.
To keep one's sympathy is called strength.
He who uses Tao's light returns to Tao's enlightenment and does not surrender his person to perdition.
This is called practicing the eternal."
- Translation by Dwight Goddard, Chapter 52

"The origin and mother of everything in the world is Tao.
Know the mother and you can know the children.
Having known the children, return to their source and hold on to her.
Abiding by the mother, you are free from danger, even when your body dies.
Don't live for your senses.
Close your mouth, close all the body's openings, and reside in the original unity.
In this way you can pass your life in peace and contentment.
Open your mouth, increase your activities, start making distinctions between things, and you'll toil forever without hope.
See the subtle and be illuminated.
Abide in gentleness and be strong.
Use your light, and return to insight.
Don't expose yourself to trouble.
This is following Tao."
- Translation by Brian Browne Walker, 1996, Chapter 52

"In the beginning was the Tao; this beginning can be considered as the mother of all.
Knowing the mother, one can come to know the children.
Knowing the children, but returning to the mother; this will keep your spirit alive through death and decay.
Keep your mouth shut, close the doors of desire, and you will live a virtuous and untroubled existence.
But if you let your mouth go on, and let the desires of the world into your heart,
your life will be one of unending toil and vexations.
To see the small, obscure and detailed is clarity of vision.
To live in gentleness and flexibility is strength.
Use outlook and insight, and return to clear-sightedness Then you will avoid life's troubles.
This is called cultivating consistency."
- Translated by Rivenrock, Chapter 52

English Language Audio-Version, Four Translations of Chapter 52, Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, Reading by Michael P. Garofalo, January 1, 2015

Index to Audio Recordings of Readings by Michael P. Garofalo of Chapters of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

“Realizing the interplay of the Tao way of life
and the virtue of nuturing all things under heaven
will introduce you to the primal mother

The mother of the world
resting peacefully with the mother
will introduce you to her sons and daughters

The sons and daughters of the world
these children can be exhausting
and though they mean no harm
trying to follow or control them
will only bring great danger to you

To be safe
rest peacefully with the mother
gently close your eyes
and look inward
softly direct your eyes
to listen within
lightly close your mouth
raise your tongue to its roof
and quietly savor the interior
gently lift your crown
sit firm with a relaxed hold
on your bodymind
and let her love
fill you up
you will never be empty
again

remember
chasing children

the whole universe is in the palm
of your hand
but without
illumination
you cannot see it

the ancient child asks
when you have rested sufficiently
in the arms of the primal mother
and you vision begins to clear
what occurs

then you are engulfed in a benevolent flame
that outlines rather than burns
and I do not know if I am
the source or the witness

emotions of comfort and satisfaction swell
so that even the harshest rain
feels like a lover’s kiss

resting deeper
you fell as if an unseen enemy
has been vanquished
and life courses through you limbs
as the warrior’s belt collects you
the connection to the Tao source and way of life
becomes punctuated and definite
possessed of a wholly benevolent clarity

visions cascade upon you so rapidly
that it becomes impossible
to divide or discern
what we normally regard as real

fire and force penetrate deeply
within you bodymind
and a new truth shapes you
into someone altogether different

you begin to breathe
the Tao way of life
as true respiration
within a quickening
that shines out
for all to see

spinning out of the quickening
you understand the mother’s children
you sing and dance
you paint and play
you look at the palm of your hand and

you can still make mistakes
you can still be confused
you can still misstep
but you will always have the eyes of the Tao

you will cease
to see
altogether”
- Translation and Interpretation by the Reverend Venerable John Bright-Fey, Chapter 52

"Everything begins with the Tao and ends with the Tao.
To know it retrace the steps of your life.
When you reach back to the beginning, the Tao lies herein.
Then you will realise there is no death.
Without desire your heart is at peace.
Without judgment your mind is clear.
See who it is that sees.
Witness thoughts come and go.
Turn the light around and find its source.
Practicing this leads to enlightenment."
- Translated by David Bullen, Chapter 52

"The Light-abyss of the Tao is the Mother of all beings.
One who recognizes the Mother knows that he is a child of God.
Aware of his filiation he is on his way home.
Returning home he is lifted out of impermanence.
One who shuts his sense-gates and keeps silent lives without trouble.
But one who turns his senses outward and opens his mouth remains a slave of fear and death.
One who sees the origin in all is enlightened and who like growing things preserves his softness is strong.
One who loses the Inner Light loses nothing at the passing of his body,
Shining in Tao he is heir to the Eternal."
- Translated by K. O. Schmidt, 1975, Chapter 52

Lifestyle Advice from Wise Persons

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

"While in the world gain possession of the Life-Spring in order that you may become a World-Mother.
When you have attained to Motherhood you will know your children.
When you know your children you will retain your Motherhood.
Then, though the body may disappear, You will not be hurt.
Close the door of the mouth,
Shut the doors of the senses,
Throughout life your body will not be fatigued.
Open your mouth,
Increase your business affairs,
Throughout life your body will not be safe.
To perceive the small is called clear vision.
To guard the weak is called strength.
Follow the Light, you will reflect its radiance.
Neglect the Inner Life, your body will meet with calamity.
This is called the eternal heritage."
- Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 52

"The beginning of the Universe, when manifested, may be regarded as its Mother.
When a man has found the Mother, he will know the children accordingly;
Though he has known the children, he still keeps to the Mother:
Thus, however his body may decay, he will never perish.
If he shuts his mouth and closes his doors,
He can never be exhausted.
If he opens his mouth and increases his affairs,
He can never be saved.
To see the minuteness of things is called clarity of sight.
To keep to what is weak is called power.
Use your light, but dim your brightness;
Thus you will cause no harm to yourself.
This is called following the eternal Tao."
- Translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao, 1904, Chapter 52

And will train with the Eternal at length."
- Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 52

"The world (t'ien hsia) has an origin (shih),
Which is the world's (t'ien hsia) mother (mu).
Having reached the mother,
(We) know her child.
Having known the child,
Return and abide by its mother.
(In this way) one loses the body without becoming exhausted.
Stop the apertures (tui),
Close the doors,
(In this way) one's whole life (shen) is without toil (ch'in).
Open the apertures,
Going about the affairs,
(In this way) one's whole life (shen) cannot be saved.
To see the small is called illumination (ming).
To abide by the soft is called strength.
Use the bright light (kuang),
But return to the dim light (ming),
Do not expose your life (shen) to perils,
Such is to follow (hsi) the everlasting (ch'ang)."
- Translated by Ellen M. Chen, Chapter 52

"Von der Kraft schweigenden Lebens

Das Unergründliche ist der Mutterschoß der Welt.
Wer seine Mutter erkennt, weiß um seine Kindschaft;
wer sich als Kind erkannt, lebt der Mutter Leben;
er sieht in seinem Untergang einmal keine Gefahr.
Wer verhaltener Sinne bleibt
und seine Kräfte wahrt, der erschöpft sich nicht.

Wer sich aber ausgibt
und sich umtriebig in alles mischt,
der lebt vergeblich.
Wer sich bewusst ist, nur ein Fünklein zu Seyn,
der ist erleuchtet.
Wer als Werdender weich und schmiegsam bleibt,
der ist stark.
Wer so erleuchtet in des Lichtes Ursprung zurückkehrt,
den trifft kein Untergang.
Unsterblich ist, wer im Wesen west
und an keiner Gestalt haftet.
- Translated by Rudolf Backofen, 1949, Chapter

"Die Welt hat einen Anfang,
das ist die Mutter der Welt.
Wer die Mutter findet,
um ihre Söhne zu kennen,
wer ihre Söhne kennt
und sich wieder zur Mutter wendet,
der kommt sein Leben lang nicht in Gefahr.
Wer seinen Mund schließt
und seine Pforten zumacht,
der kommt sein Leben lang nicht in Mühen.

Wer seinen Mund auftut
und seine Geschäfte in Ordnung bringen will,
dem ist sein Leben lang nicht zu helfen.
Das Kleinste sehen heißt klar sein.
Die Weisheit wählen heißt stark sein.
Wenn man sein Licht benutzt,
um zu dieser Klarheit zurückzukehren,
so bringt man seine Person nicht in Gefahr,
Das heißt die Hülle der Ewigkeit."
- Translated by Richard Wilhelm, 1911, Chapter 52

"The world has an origin.
The origin is the mother.
Knowing the mother, we know the son.
Knowing the son, we deduce the mother.
This way, we can be successful.
Plugging leakages,
Closing openings,
We can never be depleted.
Opening leakages,
Making too many commitments,
We can be hopeless.
Those who pay attention to details are wise.
Those who exercise flexibility are strong.
Use the light,
Things are illuminated.
Thus we can avoid mistakes.
This is called normal behavior."
- Translated by Thomas Z. Zhang, Chapter 52

"That from which the universe sprang may be looked upon as its Mother.
By knowing the Mother you have access to the child.
And if, knowing the child, you prefer the Mother, though your body perish, yet you will come to no harm.
Keep your mouth shut, and close up the doors of sight and sound, and as long as you live you will have no vexation.
But open your mouth, or become inquisitive, and you will be in trouble all your life long.
To perceive things in the germ is intelligence.
To remain gentle is to be invincible.
Follow the light that guides you homeward, and do not get lost in the darkness.
This I call using the eternal."
- Translated by Walter Gorn Old, 1904, Chapter 52

"The universe has its mother - Dao,
The world has its mother - the universe.
As we already know the mother of the universe - Dao, we should know how to rule her son - the world.
As we already know her son - the world, we should know how to follow his mother - Dao.
By so doing, there will be no discontinuation of life even though a human body will die.
Close the entrances to attractions and control the excess of desires, till the end of life, there will be no effort to work.
Open the entrances to attractions, multiply excess of desires, till the end of life, there will be no completion of work.
One who knows a limited truth is intelligent.
To be gentle is to be strengthened.
One who uses his bright senses and recovers his enlightenment will not let himself be in a perilous situation.
This is called the awareness of eternity."
- Translated by Tang Zi-Chang, Chapter 52

"The source of life
Is as a mother.
Be fond of both mother and children but know the mother dearer
And you outlive death.
Curb your tongue and senses
And you are beyond trouble,
Let them loose
And you are beyond help.
Discover that nothing is too small for clear vision,
Too insignificant for tender strength~
Use outlook
And insight,
Use them both
And you are immune:
For you have witnessed eternity."
- Translated by Witter Bynner, 1944, Chapter 52

"Le principe du monde est devenu la mère du monde.
Dès qu'on possède la mère, on connaît ses enfants.
Dès que l'homme connaît les enfants et qu'il conserve leur mère, jusqu'à la fin de sa vie il n'est exposé à aucun danger.
S'il clôt sa bouche, s'il ferme ses oreilles et ses yeux jusqu'au terme de ses jours, il n'éprouvera aucune fatigue.
Mais s'il ouvre sa bouche et augmente ses désirs, jusqu'à la fin de sa vie, il ne pourra être sauvé.
Celui qui voit les choses les plus subtiles s'appelle éclairé ; celui qui conserve la faiblesse s'appelle fort.
S'il fait usage de l'éclat du Tao et revient à sa lumière, son corps n'aura plus à craindre aucune calamité.
C'est là ce qu'on appelle être doublement éclairé."
- Translated by Stanislas Julien, 1842, Chapter 52

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

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

"Todo cuanto existe tuvo un Origen Común.
Este Origen es la madre del Universo.
Quien conoce a la madre
conoce a los hijos.
Quien conoce a los hijos
preserva a la madre
y su vida no correrá peligro.
Quien tapa los orificios,
y cierra las puertas,
vivirá sin problemas.
Quien abre los orificios,
y aumenta sus trabajos,
vivirá su vida asediado.
Ser lúcido es ver lo ínfimo.
Guiarse por lo flexible otorga fortaleza.
Usar la luz,
retornar y restituir la Iluminación.
No abandonar la vida de uno a la calamidad.
De esta manera, se practica la eternidad."
- Translation from Wikisource, 2013, Capítulo 52

"El mundo tiene un principio,
que es la madre del mundo.
Quien ha encontrado a la madre,
conocerá a los hijos;
quien conoce a los hijos,
se torna y conserva a la madre,
y así termina sus días sin encontrar el peligro.
Si bloqueas las aberturas,
y cierras las puertas,
llegarás sin debilitarte al final de la vida.
Si franqueas las aberturas,
y multiplicas tus ocupaciones,
llegarás al final de la vida sin salvación posible.
Ver lo pequeño se llama clarividencia,
conservarse débil se llama fortaleza.
Usa la luz,
para retornar a la claridad original.
Así evitarás las desgracias,
esto se llama seguir lo permanente."
- Translated by Juan Ignacio Preciado, 1978, Tao Te Ching, Capítulo 52

"Todo cuanto se encuentra bajo el Cielo tiene un Origen común.
Este Origen es la Madre del mundo.
Tras concocer a la Madre, podemos empezar a conocer a sus hijos.
Tras conocer a los hijos, debemos retornar y preservar a la Madre.
Quien lo hace no correrá peligro, aunque su cuerpo sea aniquilado.
Bloquea todos los pasajes!
Cierra todas las puertas!
Y al final de tus días no estarás rendido.
Abre los pasajes!
Multiplica tus actividades!
Y al final de tus días permanecerás indefenso.
Ver lo pequeño es tener visión interna.
Preservar la debilidad es ser fuerte.
Utiliza las luces, pero vuelve a tu visión interna.
No atraigas desgracias sobre ti.
Ésta es la manera de cultivar lo Inmutable."
- Translated into Spanish by Alfonso Colodrón from the English translation by John C. H. Wu, 1993, Capítulo 52

"Aquello por lo que el mundo tiene principio es la Madre del mundo.
Tener la Madre es conocer al Hijo, y conocer al Hijo es, a su vez, guardarla Madre.
De este modo aun sumergido en el agua, no se peligra.
Tapona los orificios, cierra las puertas y no sentirás fatigatoda tu vida.
Abrir los agujeros, atarearse en remediar asuntos es no salvartepor toda tu vida.
Ver lo pequeño es ver con claridad.
Conservarseblando es ser fuerte.
Servirse de su luz, para volver a su claridad y nodejar enfermar el cuerpo, es vestirse de pervivencia."
- Translated by Carmelo Elorduy, 2006, Capítulo 52

"Todo tu que se encuentra bajo el cielo tiene un principio, éste principio es la madre del mundo.
Quien conoce a la madre, conoce al hijo.
Quien conoce al hijo y se queda con la madre está libre de peligros durante toda su vida.
Cierra tu boca.
Mantén cerradas las puertas y no tendrás penas hasta el fin de tus días.
Si abres tu boca, si te preocupas de tus propias cosas, hasta el fin de tus días no encontrarás bienestar.
El que ve tu pequeño es un vidente.
Quien conoce su debildad mantiene fortaleza.
Quien emplea su propia luz para volver a su misma claridad y no gasta su cuerpo inútilmente, cultiva lo que es perdurable."
- Translation from Logia Medio Dia, 2015, Capítulo 52

Tao Te Ching
Commentary, Interpretations, Research Tools, Resources
Chapter 52

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Research and Indexing by
Michael P. Garofalo

Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove Notebooks, Red Bluff, California
Green Way Research, 2011-2015.
Indexed and Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo

This webpage was last edited, restructured, improved, modified or updated on August 16, 2021.

This webpage was first distributed online on May 4, 2011.

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

Michael P. Garofalo's E-mail

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

Valley Spirit Center, Red Bluff, California

Study Chi Kung or Tai Chi or Philosophy with Mike Garofalo

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

Virtues

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

Comments, Feedback, Kudos, Suggestions

Chinese Characters, Wade-Giles (1892) and Hanyu Pinyin (1982) Romanizations

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

Chapter 52

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

By Lao Tzu (Laozi)

Chapter 52
Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing)
25+ English Language Translations

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

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.

Chapter 52

Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) by Lao Tzu

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

Dao De Jing: A Philosophical Translation By Roger T. Ames and David T. Hall

The Way and Its Power: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching and Its Place in Chinese Thought By Arthur Waley

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

Lifestyle Advice from Wise Persons

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

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

Research and Indexing by
Michael P. Garofalo

Gushen Grove Notebooks for the Tao Te Ching

Bibliography

Thematic Index 1-81

Chapter Index 1-81

Chapter 52

Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) Classic of the Way and Virtue By Lao Tzu (Laozi)

Chapter 52 Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) 25+ English Language Translations

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

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

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.

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.

Chapter 52

Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) by Lao Tzu

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

Dao De Jing: A Philosophical Translation By Roger T. Ames and David T. Hall

The Way and Its Power: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching and Its Place in Chinese Thought By Arthur Waley

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

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

Research and Indexing by Michael P. Garofalo

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

By Lao Tzu (Laozi)

Chapter 52
Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing)
25+ English Language Translations

Research and Indexing by
Michael P. Garofalo