Chapter 9

Tao Te Ching  (Daodejing)
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 8       Chapter 10       Index to All 81 Chapters     Daoism     Concordance     Cloud Hands Blog

English       Chinese       Spanish      

 

 

 

Chapter 9

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)

 

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


English and Chinese (Wade-Giles):  Moderation, Practicing Placidity, The Way or Path (tao), Cup or Vessel or Bow (chih), Simplicity, Greed, Good Work, Keep or Preserve (pao), Misfortune, Thieves, Axe Sharpening, Completed or Established (sui), Guarded or Protected (shou), Bow, Honored or Prized or Exhalted (kuei), Gold, Beat or Hammer or Pound (cho), Empty, Full, Sharp, Stop or Finish (yi), Wealth, Honors, Completion, Obscurity, Pride, Work, Retiring, Lasting or Enduring (ch'ang), Reputation, Causes or Invites or Seeds (yi), Extremes, Stopping, Safety, Fame, Arrogance, Hold or Grasp (ch'ih), Way of Heaven, Gold or Bronze (chin), Seclusion, Wealthy or Riches (fu), Retirement, Fulfilling, Tao, Proud or Pride or Vanity (chiao), Quitting, Insolence, Downfall or Calamity (chiu), Jade or Jewels (), Excess or Fullness (ying), Ruin, Withdrawal, Retreat or Withdraw (t'ui), Sharpen or Temper (ch'uai), Obscurity, Work or Service or Task or Accomplishment (kung), Heaven or Nature (t'ien), Hall or Court (t'ang), Fullness and Complacency Contrary to the Dao,  運夷  


Términos en Español: Moderación, Practicar Placidez, Camino, Sendero, Copa, Vaso, Arco, Sencillez, Codicia, Buen Trabajo , Mantener, Conservar, Infortunio, Ladrones, Hacha, Afilado, Completado, Establecido, Vigilado, Protegido, Honrado, Apreciado, Exaltado, Oro, Batir, Martillo, Vacío, Lleno, Sostenido, Detener, Finalizar, Riqueza, Finalización, Oscuridad, Orgullo, Duradera,  Reputación, Causas, Invitaciones, Semillas, Extremos, Parar, Seguridad, Fama, Arrogancia, Retener, Agarre, Camino del Cielo, Aislamiento, Rico, Jubilación, Plena, Orgulloso, Vanidad, Dejar de Fumar, Insolence, Hundimiento, Calamidad, Joyas, El Exceso, Ruina, Retiro, Nitidez, Temper, Oscuridad, Obra, Cielo, Naturaleza, Plenitud.    

Electronic Concordance for all 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching

 

 

 

English Language Translations of the Tao Te Ching

 

"It is better to leave a vessel unfilled, than to attempt to carry it when it is full.
If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness.
When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe.
When wealth and honors lead to arrogance, this brings its evil on itself.
When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished,
To withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven."
-  Translated by James Legge, 1891, Chapter 9 

 

 

"To fill to its full is not as good as to leave it alone.
Why make things very sharp, if the edge can not keep long-lasting sharpness.
Greed for treasure cannot make the fortune last.
Rich and arrogant, one would bring troubles for oneself.
Retire when the goal is achieved; this conforms to Tao."
-  Translated by Thomas Zhang, Chapter 9 

 

 

"Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people's approval
and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity."
-  Translated by Stephen Mitchell, 1988, Chapter 9  

 

 

"Those who amass wealth without ceasing are comparable to one
who continues to temper a weapon until it loses its keenness.
A house that is filled with gold and jades cannot long remain secure.
A man who proudly displays his riches invites trouble for himself.
The effacement of self after success has been achieved is the way of Heaven."
-  Translated by Lin Cheng, Chapter 9

 

 

"With it firmly in hand, he goes on to fill it up, but it would be better to quit.
If, having forged it, one goes on to sharpen it, it could not last long.
Gold and jade fill the hall, but none can keep them safe.
If one is arrogant because of wealth and rank, he will give himself a blameworthy fate.
Once achievement has occurred, one retires, for such is the Dao of Heaven."
-  Translated by Richard Lynn, Chapter 9

 

 

"A bow that is stretched to its fullest capacity may certainly snap.
A sword that is tempered to its very sharpest may easily be broken.
A house that is full of jade and gold cannot remain secure for long.
One who proudly displays his wealth invites trouble.
Therefore, resign from a high position when your mission is complete.
This is the Universal Way of a life of deep virtue."
-  Translated by Ni Hua-Ching, 1995, Chapter 9

 

 

"To be overflowing is not as good as having just enough.
If a point is made too sharp, the sharpness will not last long.
A houseful of treasure is impossible to keep.
The rich and arrogant are destined for disaster.
When you are successful and famous, quickly back out, which is the heavens' way."
-  Translated by Yang Xiaolin, Chapter 9   

 

 

"As brimming with pride will often lead to a downfall,
A timely halt is much preferred.
If you continue to hone the blade of a knife,
You will not be able to preserve its sharp edge.
It is impossible to safeguard a house full of treasures forever.
Wealthy people who are arrogantly extravagant,
Inevitably bring calamity upon themselves.
To retire after a successful career is to follow the way of Dao."
- Translated by Tan Han Hiong, Chapter 9

 

 

"It is advisable to refrain from continual reaching after wealth.
Continual handling and sharpening wears away the most durable thing.
If the house be full of jewels, who shall protect it?
Wealth and glory bring care along with pride.
To stop when good work is done and honour advancing is the way of Heaven."
-  Translated by Walter Gorn Old, 1904, Chapter 9 

 

 

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, Red Bluff, California, © 2017 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

 

                             

 

 

 

"Continuing to fill a pail after it is full the water will be wasted. 
Continuing to grind an axe after it is sharp will soon wear it away.  
Who can protect a public hall crowded with gold and jewels?  
The pride of wealth and position brings about their own misfortune.  
To win true merit, to preserve just fame, the personality must be retiring.  
This is the heavenly Dao."
-  Translated by Dwight Goddard and Henri Borel, 1919, Chapter 9   

 

 

Cloud Hands Blog

 

 

"Let Heavenly Love fill you and overflow in you,
Not according to your measure of fullness.
Prove it, probe deeply into it,
It shall not long withstand you.
You may fill a place with gold and precious stones,
You will not be able to guard them.
You may be weighted with honors and become proud.
Misfortune then will come to your Self.
You may accomplish great deeds and acquire fame,
Retire yourself;
This is Heavenly Tao."
-  Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 9 

 

 

"Holding to fullness
Is not as good as stopping in time.
Sharpness that probes
Cannot protect for long.
A house filled with riches
Cannot be defended.
Pride in wealth and position
Is overlooking one's collapse.
Withdrawing when success is achieved
Is the Tao in Nature."
-  Translated by R. L. Wing, 1986, Chapter 9  

 

 

"You hold to fullness, and it is better to stop in time!
You keep on beating and sharpening a sword, and the edge cannot be preserved for long.
You fill your house with gold and jade, and it can no longer be guarded.
You put on airs by your riches and honor, and you will only reap a crop of calamities.
Here is the Way of Heaven: When you have done your work, retire."
-  Translated by Tran Tien Cong, Chapter 9 

 

 

"Do not concentrate one's wealth in abundance.
It is far better for one to know where to stop.
Do not beat one's sword sharp, one can never keep its edge for ever.
If their houses are full of gold and jade, they have no way to keep them forever.
If they are proud of having great riches and honors, they just make more troubles for themselves.
When merits have been achieved, fame has been completed - one may withdraw himself.
That is to follow the law of Nature."
-  Translated by Tang Zi-Chang, Chapter 9

 

 

 
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

 

                             

 

 

 

"Stretch a bow to the very full,
And you will wish you had stopped in time;
Temper a sword-edge to its very sharpest,
And you will find it soon grows dull.
When bronze and jade fill your hall.
It can no longer be guarded.
Wealth and place breed insolence.
That brings ruin in its train.
When your work is done, then withdraw!
Such is Heaven's Way."
-  Translated by Arthur Waley, 1934, Chapter 9 

 

 

 

A Chinese Language Version of Chapter 9 of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
A note on my style of displaying the Chinese characters of the Tao Te Ching

 

 

持而盈之, 不如其已.
揣而銳之, 不可長保.
金玉滿堂莫之能守富貴而驕, 自遺其咎.
功遂身退天之道.
-  Chinese characters, Chapter 9, Tao Te Ching

 

 

ch'ih erh ying chih, pu ju ch'i yi.
ch'uai erh cho chih, pu k'o ch'ang pao.
chin yü man t'ang mo chih nêng shou fu kuei erh chiao, tsu yi ch'i chiu.
kung sui shên t'ui t'ien chih tao. 
-  Wade-Giles (1892) Romanization, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 9 

 


Audio Version in Chinese of Chapter 9 of the Tao Te Ching

 


chi er ying zhi, bu ru qi yi.
chuai er rui zhi, bu ke chang bao.
jin yu man tang mo zhi neng shou fu gui er jiao, zi yi qi jiu.
gong cheng shen tui tian zhi dao.
-  Hanyu Pinyin (1982) Romanization, Daodejing, Chapter 9 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Tao Te Ching in Chinese characters, Hanyu Pinyin (1982) 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 (1892) 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, Wade-Giles and Pinyin 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. 

 

 

"Going to extremes is never best.
For if you make a blade too sharp, it will become dull too quickly
And if you hoard all the wealth, you are bound to be attacked.
If you become proud and arrogant regarding your good fortune, you will naturally beget enemies who jealously despise you.
The way to success is this: having achieved your goal, be satisfied not to go further. For this is the way Nature operates."
-  Translated by Archie J. Balm, 1958, Chapter 9

 

 

"It is easier to carry an empty cup
than one that is filled to the brim.

The sharper the knife
the easier it is to dull.
The more wealth you possess
the harder it is to protect.
Pride brings its own trouble.

When you have accomplished your goal
simply walk away.
This is the path way to Heaven."
-  Translated by John H. McDonald, 1996, Chapter 9  

 

 

 

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

 

                             

 

 

 

"Stretch a bow to the very full,
And you will wish you had stopped in time.
Temper a sword-edge to its very sharpest,
And the edge will not last long.
When gold and jade fill your hall,
You will not be able to keep them safe.
To be proud with wealth and honor
Is to sow seeds of one's own downfall.
Retire when your work is done,
Such is Heaven's way."
-  Translated by Lin Yutang, 1955, Chapter 9 

 

 

"Fill a cup to its brim, it is easy to spill.
Do not over do the task, close it.
Temper a sword throughout to its hardest, and it is easily broken.
Fill your house with gold and jade, it can not be guarded.
Do not tempt others for someone will give in to temptation. 
Set store by your riches and honor, you easily fall.
This is the Tao, the Laws of the Universe:
When your purpose is achieved retire."
-  Translated by J. L. Trottier, 1994, Chapter 9 

 

 

"Holding and keeping a thing to the very full - it is better to leave it alone;
Handling and sharpening a blade - it cannot be long sustained;
When gold and jade fill the hall, no one can protect them;
Wealth and honour with pride bring with them destruction;
To have accomplished merit and acquired fame, then to retire -
This is the Tao of heaven."
-  Translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao, 1904, Chapter 9 

 

 

Creative Commons License
This 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, Red Bluff, California, © 2017 CCA 4.0

 

 

 

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

 

                                       

 

 

 

"It is better to desist altogether, than, having once grasped the Tao, to pride oneself on one's self-sufficiency. 
Research, if carried on to too keen a point, prevents the preservation of the body and hastens death.
When a hall is filled up with gold and jewels, it cannot be guarded intact.
When wealth and honors are combined with arrogance, they themselves invoke calamity.
To keep oneself in the background when merit has been achieved and fame has followed in its wake; this is the way of Heaven."
-  Translated by Frederic Henry Balfour, 1884, Chapter 9

 

 

"Better to stop in time than to fill to the brim.
Hone a blade to the sharpest point,
and it will soon be blunt.
Fill your house with gold and jade,
and no one can protect it.
Be prideful about wealth and position,
and you bring disasters upon yourself.
Retire when the work is done.
This is the way of heaven."
-  Translated by Tolbert McCarroll, 1982. Chapter 9 

 

 

"Keep pouring, and the vessel overflows.
Keep sharpening, and the knife becomes useless.
Hoard gold and jade, and you are in continual danger.
Pride and its collapse are the same.
Work hard, then relax.
Nurture, then release.
That's the true way."
-  Translated by Crispin Starwell, Chapter 9 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

                             

 

 

 

"Fill not a vessel, lest it spill in carrying.
Meddle not with a sharpened point by feeling it constantly, or it will soon become
blunted.
Gold and jade endanger the house of their possessor.
Wealth and honors lead to arrogance and envy, and bring ruin.
Is thy way famous and thy name becoming distinguished?
Withdraw, thy work once done, into obscurity; this is the way of Heaven."
-  Translated by Aleister Crowley, 1918, Chapter 9  

 

 

 

 

"Holding a cup until it overflows, is not as good as stopping in time.
A sword beaten to its sharpest, will not last long.
A hall filled with gold and jade, cannot be kept forever.
Pride in riches and honors, creates trouble for oneself.
After achieving merit, retire.
It is the Way of Heaven."
-  Translated by Yi Wu, Chapter 9 

 

 

"Rather than fill a vessel to overflowing, stop in time.
If you temper a swordblade to razor sharpness, it will blunt the sooner.
If you overload your house with gold and jade, how shall it be guarded?
Wealth and high office breed vanity and toruble, and ruin follows in their train.
Accomplish you task, earn honour but do not claim it;
Then withdraw into the background.
That is Heaven's Way."
-  Translated by Herman Ould, 1946, Chapter 9 

 

 

 

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  

 

                                     

 

 

 

"Rather than fill it to the brim by keeping it upright
Better to have stopped in time;
Hammer it to a point
And the sharpness cannot be preserved for ever;
There may be gold and jade to fill a hall
But there is none who can keep them.
To be overbearing when one has wealth and position
Is to bring calamity upon oneself.
To retire when the task is accomplished
Is the way of heaven. "
-  Translated by D. C. Lau, 1963, Chapter 9 

 

 

"Fill a bowl to the rim; will it spill?
Force something to fit; will it break?
Amass great wealth; will you be robbed?
Achieve fame and status; will you be laughed at?
Better to avoid the questions:
Accomplish your ends, then walk away
Such is the road of peace"
-  Translated by Ted Wrigley, Chapter 9 

 

 

To grasp after until full is not as good as stopping.
Measure and fit a crossbrace.
It cannot last long.
If one's hall is filled with gold and jade, it cannot be safeguarded.
If one is wealthy and honoured, pride follows; and one gifts oneself with the faults thereof.
When the work is done, retire.
This is the Tao of heaven."
-  Translated by Tam C. Gibbs, 1981, Chapter 9 

 

 

 

Further Teachings of Lao-Tzu: Understanding the Mysteries (Wen Tzu)   Translated 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

 

                                  

 

 

 

"Better to stop than to hold and fill.
Though in tempering a sword, you may feel the edge, you cannot guarantee its sharpness for long.
A hall full of bronze and jade no one can guard.
Wealth and honors lead to pride; thus evil will naturally follow in their train.
To withdraw one's person when the work is done, such is heaven's Way."
-  Translated by Jan Julius Lodewijk Duyvendak, 1954, Chapter 9 

 

 

 

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                  

 

 

 

"Do not concentrate one's wealth in abundance.
It is far better for one to know where to stop.
Do not beat one's sword sharp, one can never keep its edge for ever.
If their houses are full of gold and jade, they have no way to keep them forever.
If they are proud of having great riches and honors, they just make more troubles for themselves.
When merits have been achieved, fame has been completed - one may withdraw himself.
That is to follow the law of Nature."
-  Translated by Tang Zi-Chang, Chapter 9 

 

 

"Vom Tun des Notwendigen
Man darf nicht ein Gefäß überfüllen,
wenn man es nur füllen soll.
Man kann nicht ein Meßer schärfen
und zugleich die Schneide erproben.
Sinnlos ist es, Gold und Edelsteine zu sammeln,
wenn man sie nicht sicher horten kann.
Wer, reich und geachtet, nur sich selber kennt,
der zieht sein eigenes Unglück herbei.
Wer aber Großes vollbringt
und trotz des Ruhms sich bescheiden zurückzieht,
der verwirklicht des Himmels Art."
-  Translated by Rudolf Backofen, 1949, Chapter 9

 

 

"Etwas festhalten wollen und dabei es überfüllen:
das lohnt der Mühe nicht.
Etwas handhaben wollen und dabei es immer scharf halten:
das läßt sich nicht lange bewahren.
Mit Gold und Edelsteinen gefüllten Saal
kann niemand beschützen.
Reich und vornehm und dazu hochmütig sein:
das zieht von selbst das Unglück herbei.
Ist das Werk vollbracht, dann sich zurückziehen:
das ist des Himmels Sinn."
-  Translated by Richard Wilhelm, 1911, Chapter 9

 

 

"To Know when to stop ...
To take all you want
Is never as good
As to stop when you should.
Scheme and be sharp
And you'll not keep it long.
One can never guard
His home when it's full
Of jade and fine gold:
Wealth, power and pride
Bequeath their own doom.
When fame and success
Come to you, then retire.
This is the ordained Way."
-  Translated by Raymond Blackney, 1955, Chapter 9 

 

 

Creative Commons License
This 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, Red Bluff, California, © 2017 CCA 4.0


 

 

 

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

 

                                              

 

 

 

"Is it better to hold fast to filling, and fill when fullness is gained?

You may handle the point that is sharpened till all the sharpness is gone,

You may fill your halls with gold and gems, but thieving is not restrained,

And wealth and place, when linked with pride, will only bring ruin on;

When the work is done, and reputation advancing, then, I say,

Is the time to withdraw and disappear, and that is Heaven' s Way."
-  Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 9 

 

 

 

"Keep stretching a bow
You repent of the pull,
A 'whetted saw
Goes thin and dull,
Surrounded with treasure
You lie ill at ease,
Proud beyond measure
You come to your knees:
Do enough, without vying,
Be living, not dying."
-  Translated by Witter Bynner, 1944, Chapter 9 

 

 

"Il vaut mieux ne pas remplir un vase que de vouloir le maintenir lorsqu'il est plein.
Si l'on aiguise une lame, bien qu'on l'explore avec la main, on ne pourra la conserver constamment tranchante.
Si une salle est remplie d'or et de pierres précieuses, personne ne pourra les garder.
Si l'on est comblé d'honneurs et qu'on s'enorgueillisse, on s'attirera des malheurs.
Lorsqu'on a fait de grandes choses et obtenu de la réputation, il faut se retirer à l'écart.
Telle est la voie du ciel."
-  Translated by Stanislas Julien, 1842, Chapter 9

 

 

 

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

 

"La tinaja demasiado llena caerá por su propio peso.
Afilar en demasía la espada la desgastará
y no durará mucho tiempo.
Si al salón se le llena de jade y piedras preciosas,
alguien intentará robarlo.
El rico y orgulloso se pierde a sí mismo,
y en consecuencia atraerá la desgracia.
El hombre que surca el Sendero del Cielo
se retira luego de finalizar su obra."
-  Translation from Wikisource, 2013, Capítulo 9

 

 

"Más vale no llenar las cosas demasiado.
El filo, demasiadoa filado, no ofrece garantía para mucho tiempo.
No se guarda bienun salón lleno de ricos metales y piedras preciosas.
El rico, si es soberbio, hereda su ruina.
Retirarse, acabada la obra y conseguido el renombre,
es camino sabidurídel Cielo."
-  Translated by Carmelo Elorduy, 2006, Capítulo 9

 

 

"Tensa un arco hasta su límite y pronto se romperá;
Afila una espada al máximo y pronto estará mellada;
Amasa el mayor tesoro y pronto lo robarán;
Exige créditos y honores y pronto caerás;
Retirarse una vez la meta ha sido alcanzada es el camino de la Naturaleza."
-  Translated by Antonio Rivas Gonzálvez, 1998, Capítulo 9

 

 

"Asir fuertemente y colmar
Vale menos que dejar de hacerlo.
Calcular y afilar las armas
No significa que se prolongue su cuidado.
Atiborrar la gran sala de oro y jade
Y no habrá quien pueda custodiarlos.
Ser rico y orgulloso.
Quizás perderse a sí mismo sea la desgracia.
Cuando la obra se completa y la persona se retira,
Ése es el Tao del Cielo."
-  Translated by Álex Ferrara, 2003, Capítulo 9
 

 

 

"Mejor es la renuncia que llenar hasta la saturación, lo que llevas en la mano.
Un objeto demasiado templado, no puede durar mucho.
Una habitación llena de oro y piedras preciosas, nadie la puede conservar.
Aquél que por ser rico y poderoso se torna altanero, se arruina a sí mismo.
Acabada la obra y realizado el nombre, retirarse en la oscuridad es la norma del cielo."
Translation from Logia Medio Dia, 2015, Tao Te Ching, Capítulo 9

 

 

Creative Commons License
This 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, Red Bluff, California, © 2017 CCA 4.0

 

 

 

 

Lao Tzu, Lao Zi

 

 

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Chapter and Thematic Index to the Tao Te Ching 

 

 

 

 

Tao Te Ching
Commentary, Interpretations, Research Tools, Resources
Chapter 9

 

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.


The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good Life.  By Michael Puett and Christine Gross-Loh.  Simon and Schuster, 2017.  240 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 Tao of Being: A Think and Do Workbook  By Ray Grigg.  Green Dragon Pub., 1988. 204 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
Green Way Research, 2010-2017. 
Indexed and Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo

 

Creative Commons License
This 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, Red Bluff, California, © 2017 CCA 4.0



This webpage was last modified or updated on March 9, 2017. 
 
This webpage was first distributed online on November 10, 2010. 


 

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 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

Green Way Research

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

Pleasures, Satisfaction, Desires

Grandmaster Chang San Feng

Virtues and a Good Life

Epicureanism

Qigong (Chi Kung) Health Practices

Valley Spirit Center

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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