第一章：道可道，非常道；名可名，非常名。无名，天地之始；有名，万物之母。故常无欲，以观其妙；常有欲，以观其徼。此两者，同出而异名，同谓之玄。玄之又玄，众妙之门。
The Way that can be told of is not an Unvarying Way；The names that can be named are not unvarying names. It was from the Nameless that Heaven and Earth sprang；The named is but the mother that rears the ten thousand creatures，each after its kind. Truly，‘Only he that rids himself forever of desire can see the Secret Essences’；He that has never rid himself of desire can see only the Outcomes. These two things issued from the same mould，but nevertheless are different in name. This‘same mould’we can but call the Mystery，Or rather the‘Darker than any Mystery’，The Doorway whence issued all Secret Essences.
第二章：天下皆知美之为美，斯恶已；皆知善之为善，斯不善已。故有无相生，难易相成，长短相形，高下相倾，音声相和，前后相随。是以圣人处无为之事，行不言之教，万物作焉而不辞，生而不有，为而不恃，功成而弗居。夫唯弗居，是以不去。
It is because every one under Heaven recognizes beauty as beauty，that the idea of ugliness exists. And equally if every one recognized virtue as virtue，this would merely create fresh conceptions of wickedness. For truly‘Being and Not-being grow out of one another；Difficult and easy complete one another. Long and short test one another；High and low determine one another. Pitch and mode give harmony to one another. Front and back give sequence to one another’。Therefore[1] the Sage relies on actionless activity，Carries on wordless teaching，But the myriad creatures are worked upon by him；he does not disown them. He rears them，but does not lay claim to them，Controls them，but does not lean upon them，Achieves his aim，but does not call attention[2] to what he does；And for the very reason that he does not call attention to what he does He is not ejected from fruition of what he has done. [1]Because‘action’can only make one thing high at the expense of making something else low，etc. [2]Literally，‘does not place（i.e.classify）himself as a victor’。cf. MenciusⅡ，Ⅰ；
第三章：不尚贤，使民不争；不贵难得之货，使民不为盗；不见可欲，使民心不乱。是以圣人之治，虚其心，实其腹；弱其志，强其骨。常使民无知无欲，使夫智不敢为也。为无为，则无不治。
If we stop looking for‘persons of superior morality’（hsien）to put in power，there will be no more jealousies among the people. If we cease to set store by products that are hard to get，there will be no more thieves. If the people never see such things as excite desire，their hearts will remain placid and undisturbed. Therefore the Sage rules By emptying their hearts And filling their bellies，Weakening their intelligence[1]
And toughening their sinews Ever striving to make the people knowledgeless and desireless. Indeed he sees to it that if there be any who have knowledge，they dare not interfere. Yet through his actionless activity all things are duly regulated. [1]Particularly in the sense of‘having ideas of one’s own‘。
第四章：道冲而用之，或不盈。渊兮，似万物之宗。（挫其锐，解其纷，和其光，同其尘。）湛兮，似或存。吾不知谁之子，象帝之先。
The Way is like an empty vessel That yet may be drawn from Without ever needing to be filled. It is bottomless；the very progenitor of all things in the world. In it all sharpness is blunted，All tangles untied，All glare tempered，All dust[1] smoothed. It is like a deep pool that never dries. Was it too the child of something else？We cannot tell. But as a substanceless image[2] it existed before the Ancestor.[3]
[1]Dust is the Taoist symbol for the noise and fuss of everyday life. [2]A hsiang，an image such as the mental images that float before us when we think. [3]The Ancestor in question is almost certainly the Yellow Ancestor who separated Earth from Heaven and so destroyed the Primal Unity，for which he is frequently censured is Chuang Tzu.
第五章：天地不仁，以万物为刍狗；圣人不仁，以百姓为刍狗。天地之间，其犹橐籥乎！虚而不屈，动而愈出。多言数穷，不如守中。
Heaven and Earth are ruthless；To them the Ten Thousand Things are but as straw dogs. The Sage too is ruthless；To him the people are but as straw dogs. Yet[1] Heaven and Earth and all that lies between Is like a bellows In that it is empty，but gives a supply that never fails. Work it，and more comes out . Whereas the force of words[2] is soon spent. Far better is it to keep what is in the heart[3]. [1]Though ruthless nature is perpetually bounteous. [2]Laws and proclamations. [3]For chung as‘what is within the heart’，see Tso Chuan，Yin Kung 3rd year and Kuan Tzu，37，beginning. The comparison of Heaven and Earth to a bellows is also found in Kuan Tzu（P‘ien 11，beginning）。
第六章：谷神不死，是谓玄牝。玄牝之门，是谓天地根。绵绵若存，用之不勤。
The Valley Spirit never dies. It is named the Mysterious Female. And the Doorway of the Mysterious Female Is the base from which Heaven and Earth sprang. It is there within us all the while；Draw upon it as you will，it never runs dry.[1]
[1]Lieh Tzu quotes these lines as coming from the Book of the Yellow Ancestor；but it does not follow that the Tao Ching is actually quothing them from this source. They may belong to the general stock of early Taoist rhymed teaching. For ch‘in compare below，Chapter 52，line 9，and Huai-nan Tzu I，fol.2.
第七章：天长地久，天地所以能长且久者，以其不自生，故能长生。是以圣人后其身而身先，外其身而身存。非以其无私邪？故能成其私。
Heaven is eternal，the Earth Everlasting. How come they to be so？Is it because they do not foster their own lives；That is why they live so long. Therefore the Sage Puts himself in the background；but is always to the fore. Remains outside；but is always there. Is it not just because he does not strive for any personal end That all his personal ends are fulfilled？
第八章：上善若水，水善利万物而不争。处众人之所恶，故几于道。居善地，心善渊，与善仁，言善信，正善治，事善能，动善时。夫唯不争，故无尤。
The highest good is like that of water. The goodness of water is that it benefits the ten thousand creatures；yet itself does not scramble，but is content with the places that all men disdain. It is this that makes water so near to the Way. And if men think the ground the best place for building a house upon，If among thoughts they value those that are profound，If in friendship they value gentleness，In words，truth；in government，good order；In deeds，effectiveness；in actions，timeliness- In each case it is because they prefer what does not lead to strife，[1] And therefore does not go amiss. [1]Even ordinary people realize the importance of the Taoist principle of‘water-like’behaviour，i.e. not striving to get on top or to the fore.
第九章：持而盈之，不如其已；揣而锐之，不可长保。金玉满堂，莫之能守。富贵而骄，自遗其咎。功遂身退，天之道也！
Stretch a bow[1] 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[2] Way. [1] the expression used can also apply to filling a vessel to the brim；but’stretching a bow‘makes a better parallel to’sharpening a sword‘。
[2] as opposed to the Way of man
第十章
载营魄抱一，能无离乎。专气致柔，能如婴儿乎。
涤除玄鉴，能如疵乎。爱国治民，能无为乎。
天门开阖，能为雌乎。明白四达，能无知乎。
Chapter 10 When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace，they can be kept from separating. When one gives undivided attention to the（vital）breath，and brings it to the utmost degree of pliancy，he can become as a（tender）babe. When he has cleansed away the most mysterious sights（of his imagination），he can become without a flaw.
In loving the people and ruling the state，cannot he proceed without any（purpose of）action？In the opening and shutting of his gates of heaven，cannot he do so as a female bird？While his intelligence reaches in every direction，cannot he（appear to）be without knowledge？
（The Tao）produces（all things）and nourishes them；it produces them and does not claim them as its own；it does all，and yet does not boast of it；it presides over all，and yet does not control them. This is what is called‘The mysterious Quality’（of the Tao）。
第十一章 三十辐，共一毂，当其无，有车之用。
埏埴以为器，当其无，有器之用。
凿户牖以为室，当其无，有室之用。故有之以为利，无之以为用。
Chapter 11 The thirty spokes unite in the one nave；but it is on the empty space（for the axle），that the use of the wheel depends. Clay is fashioned into vessels；but it is on their empty hollowness，that their use depends. The door and windows are cut out（from the walls）
to form an apartment；but it is on the empty space（within），that its use depends. Therefore，what has a（positive）existence serves for profitable adaptation，and what has not that for（actual）usefulness.
第十二章 五色令人目盲﹔五音令人耳聋﹔五味令人口爽﹔
驰骋畋猎，令人心发狂﹔难得之货，令人行妨。
是以圣人为腹不为目，故去彼取此
Chapter 12 Colour‘s five hues from th’eyes their sight will take；
Music‘s five notes the ears as deaf can make；
The flavours five deprive the mouth of taste；
The chariot course，and the wild hunting waste Make mad the mind；and objects rare and strange，Sought for，men‘s conduct will to evil change.
Therefore the sage seeks to satisfy（the craving of）the belly，and not the（insatiable longing of the）eyes. He puts from him the latter，and prefers to seek the former.
第十三章 宠辱若惊，贵大患若身。何谓宠辱若惊。
宠为下，得之若惊，失之若惊，是谓宠辱若惊。
何谓贵大患若身。吾所以有大患者，为吾有身，及吾无身，吾有何患。
故贵以身为天下，若可寄天下﹔爱以身为天下，若可托天下。
Chapter 13 Favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared；honour and great calamity，to be regarded as personal conditions（of the same kind）。
What is meant by speaking thus of favour and disgrace？Disgrace is being in a low position（after the enjoyment of favour）。The getting that（favour）leads to the apprehension（of losing it），and the losing it leads to the fear of（still greater calamity）：——this is what is meant by saying that favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared.
And what is meant by saying that honour and great calamity are to be（similarly）regarded as personal conditions？What makes me liable to great calamity is my having the body（which I call myself）；if I had not the body，what great calamity could come to me？
Therefore he who would administer the kingdom，honouring it as he honours his own person，may be employed to govern it，and he who would administer it with the love which he bears to his own person may be entrusted with it.
第十四章 视之不见，名曰夷﹔听之不闻，名曰希﹔搏之不得，名曰微。此三者不可致诘，故混而为一。
其上不皦，其下不昧。绳绳兮不可名，复归于物。
是谓无状之状，无物之象，是谓惚恍。迎之不见其首，随之不见其后。
执古之道，以御今之有。能知古始，是谓道纪。
Chapter 14 We look at it，and we do not see it，and we name it‘the Equable.’We listen to it，and we do not hear it，and we name it‘the Inaudible.’We try to grasp it，and do not get hold of it，and we name it‘the Subtle.’With these three qualities，it cannot be made the subject of description；and hence we blend them together and obtain The One.
Its upper part is not bright，and its lower part is not obscure. Ceaseless in its action，it yet cannot be named，and then it again returns and becomes nothing. This is called the Form of the Formless，and the Semblance of the Invisible；this is called the Fleeting and Indeterminable.
We meet it and do not see its Front；we follow it，and do not see its Back. When we can lay hold of the Tao of old to direct the things of the present day，and are able to know it as it was of old in the beginning，this is called（unwinding）the clue of Tao.
第十五章 古之善为道者，微妙玄通，深不可识。
夫唯不可识，故强为之容：豫兮若冬涉川﹔犹兮若畏四邻﹔俨兮其若客﹔涣兮其若凌释﹔敦兮其若朴﹔旷兮其若谷﹔混兮其若浊﹔澹兮其若海﹔飂兮若无止。
孰能浊以静之徐清。孰能安以动之徐生。
保此道者，不欲盈。夫唯不盈，故能蔽而新成。
Chapter 15 The skilful masters（of the Tao）in old times，with a subtle and exquisite penetration，comprehended its mysteries，and were deep（also）so as to elude men‘s knowledge. As they were thus beyond men’s knowledge，I will make an effort to describe of what sort they appeared to be.
Shrinking looked they like those who wade through a stream in winter；irresolute like those who are afraid of all around them；grave like a guest（in awe of his host）；evanescent like ice that is melting away；unpretentious like wood that has not been fashioned into anything；vacant like a valley，and dull like muddy water.
Who can（make）the muddy water（clear）？Let it be still，and it will gradually become clear. Who can secure the condition of rest？
Let movement go on，and the condition of rest will gradually arise.
They who preserve this method of the Tao do not wish to be full（of themselves）。It is through their not being full of themselves that they can afford to seem worn and not appear new and complete.
第十六章 致虚极，守静笃。万物并作，吾以观复。
夫物芸芸，各复归其根。归根曰静，静曰复命。复命曰常，知常曰明。不知常，妄作凶。
知常容，容乃公，公乃全，全乃天，天乃道，道乃久，没身不殆。
Chapter 16 The（state of）vacancy should be brought to the utmost degree，and that of stillness guarded with unwearying vigour. All things alike go through their processes of activity，and（then）we see them return（to their original state）。When things（in the vegetable world）have displayed their luxuriant growth，we see each of them return to its root. This returning to their root is what we call the state of stillness；and that stillness may be called a reporting that they have fulfilled their appointed end.
The report of that fulfilment is the regular，unchanging rule. To know that unchanging rule is to be intelligent；not to know it leads to wild movements and evil issues. The knowledge of that unchanging rule produces a（grand）capacity and forbearance，and that capacity and forbearance lead to a community（of feeling with all things）。
From this community of feeling comes a kingliness of character；and he who is king-like goes on to be heaven-like. In that likeness to heaven he possesses the Tao. Possessed of the Tao，he endures long；
and to the end of his bodily life，is exempt from all danger of decay.
第十七章 太上，不知有之﹔其次，亲而誉之﹔其次，畏之﹔其次，侮之。
信不足焉，有不信焉。悠兮其贵言。功成事遂，百姓皆谓：「我自然」。
Chapter 17 In the highest antiquity，（the people）did not know that there were（their rulers）。In the next age they loved them and praised them. In the next they feared them；in the next they despised them. Thus it was that when faith（in the Tao）was deficient（in the rulers）a want of faith in them ensued（in the people）。
How irresolute did those（earliest rulers）appear，showing（by their reticence）the importance which they set upon their words！
Their work was done and their undertakings were successful，while the people all said，‘We are as we are，of ourselves！’
第十八章 大道废，有仁义﹔智慧出，有大伪﹔六亲不和，有孝慈﹔国家昏乱，有忠臣。
Chapter 18 When the Great Tao（Way or Method）ceased to be observed，benevolence and righteousness came into vogue.（Then）appeared wisdom and shrewdness，and there ensued great hypocrisy.
When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships，filial sons found their manifestation；when the states and clans fell into disorder，loyal ministers appeared.
第十九章 绝圣弃智，民利百倍﹔绝仁弃义，民复孝慈﹔
绝巧弃利，盗贼无有。此三者以为文，不足。
故令有所属：见素抱朴，少思寡欲，绝学无忧。
Chapter 19 If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom，it would be better for the people a hundredfold. If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness，the people would again become filial and kindly. If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our（scheming for）gain，there would be no thieves nor robbers.
Those three methods（of government）
Thought olden ways in elegance did fail And made these names their want of worth to veil；
But simple views，and courses plain and true Would selfish ends and many lusts eschew.
第二十章 唯之与阿，相去几何。之与恶，相去若何。
人之所畏，不可不畏。
荒兮，其未央哉。众人熙熙，如享太牢，如春登台。
我独泊兮，其未兆﹔沌沌兮，如婴儿之未孩﹔儽儽兮，若无所归。
众人皆有余，而我独若遗。我愚人之心也哉。
俗人昭昭，我独昏昏。俗人察察，我独闷闷。
众人皆有以，而我独顽且鄙。我独异于人，而贵食母。
Chapter 20 When we renounce learning we have no troubles. The（ready）‘yes，’and（flattering）‘yea；’——Small is the difference they display. But mark their issues，good and ill；——What space the gulf between shall fill？
What all men fear is indeed to be feared；but how wide and without end is the range of questions（asking to be discussed）！
The multitude of men look satisfied and pleased；as if enjoying a full banquet，as if mounted on a tower in spring. I alone seem listless and still，my desires having as yet given no indication of their presence. I am like an infant which has not yet smiled. I look dejected and forlorn，as if I had no home to go to. The multitude of men all have enough and to spare. I alone seem to have lost everything. My mind is that of a stupid man；I am in a state of chaos.
Ordinary men look bright and intelligent，while I alone seem to be benighted. They look full of discrimination，while I alone am dull and confused. I seem to be carried about as on the sea，drifting as if I had nowhere to rest. All men have their spheres of action，while I alone seem dull and incapable，like a rude borderer.（Thus）I alone am different from other men，but I value the nursing-mother（the Tao）。
第二十一章 孔德之容，惟道是从。
道之为物，惟恍惟惚。惚兮恍兮，其中有象﹔恍兮惚兮，其中有物。窈兮冥兮，其中有精﹔其精甚真，其中有信。
自今及古，其名不去，以阅众甫。吾何以知众甫之状哉。以此。
Chapter 21. The grandest forms of active force From Tao come，their only source. Who can of Tao the nature tell？
Our sight it flies，our touch as well. Eluding sight，eluding touch，The forms of things all in it crouch；
Eluding touch，eluding sight，There are their semblances，all right. Profound it is，dark and obscure；
Things‘essences all there endure. Those essences the truth enfold Of what，when seen，shall then be told. Now it is so；’twas so of old. Its name——what passes not away；
So，in their beautiful array，Things form and never know decay.
How know I that it is so with all the beauties of existing things？By this（nature of the Tao）。
第二十二章 曲则全，枉则直，洼则盈，敝则新，少则得，多则惑。是以圣人抱一为天下式。
不自见，故明﹔不自是，故彰﹔不自伐，故有功﹔不自矜，故长。夫唯不争，故天下莫能与之争。
古之所谓「曲则全」者，岂虚言哉。诚全而归之。
Chapter 22 The partial becomes complete；the crooked，straight；the empty，full；the worn out，new. He whose（desires）are few gets them；he whose（desires）are many goes astray.
Therefore the sage holds in his embrace the one thing（of humility），and manifests it to all the world. He is free from self- display，and therefore he shines；from self-assertion，and therefore he is distinguished；from self-boasting，and therefore his merit is acknowledged；from self-complacency，and therefore he acquires superiority. It is because he is thus free from striving that therefore no one in the world is able to strive with him.
That saying of the ancients that‘the partial becomes complete’was not vainly spoken：——all real completion is comprehended under it.
第二十三章 希言自然。故飘风不终朝，骤雨不终日。
孰为此者。天地。天地尚不能久，而况于人乎。
故从事于道者，同于道﹔德者，同于德﹔失者，同于失。
同于道者，道亦乐得之﹔同于德者，德亦乐得之﹔同于失者，失亦乐得之。信不足焉，有不信焉。
Chapter 23 Abstaining from speech marks him who is obeying the spontaneity of his nature. A violent wind does not last for a whole morning；a sudden rain does not last for the whole day. To whom is it that these（two）things are owing？To Heaven and Earth. If Heaven and Earth cannot make such（spasmodic）actings last long，how much less can man！
Therefore when one is making the Tao his business，those who are also pursuing it，agree with him in it，and those who are making the manifestation of its course their object agree with him in that；while even those who are failing in both these things agree with him where they fail.
Hence，those with whom he agrees as to the Tao have the happiness of attaining to it；those with whom he agrees as to its manifestation have the happiness of attaining to it；and those with whom he agrees in their failure have also the happiness of attaining（to the Tao）。
（But）when there is not faith sufficient（on his part），a want of faith（in him）ensues（on the part of the others）。
第二十四章 企者不立﹔跨者不行﹔自见者不明﹔自是者不彰﹔自伐者无功﹔自矜者不长。
其在道也，曰：余食赘形。物或恶之，故有道者不处。
Chapter 24. He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm；he who stretches his legs does not walk（easily）。（So），he who displays himself does not shine；he who asserts his own views is not distinguished；he who vaunts himself does not find his merit acknowledged；he who is self- conceited has no superiority allowed to him. Such conditions，viewed from the standpoint of the Tao，are like remnants of food，or a tumour on the body，which all dislike. Hence those who pursue（the course） of the Tao do not adopt and allow them.
第二十五章 有物混成，先天地生。寂兮寥兮，独立而不改，周行而不殆，可以为天地母。吾不知其名，强字之曰道，强为之名曰大。大曰逝，逝曰远，远曰反。
故道大，天大，地大，人亦大。域中有四大，而人居其一焉。人法地，地法天，天法道，道法自然。
Chapter 25 There was something undefined and complete，coming into existence before Heaven and Earth. How still it was and formless，standing alone，and undergoing no change，reaching everywhere and in no danger（of being exhausted）！It may be regarded as the Mother of all things.
I do not know its name，and I give it the designation of the Tao（the Way or Course）。Making an effort（further）to give it a name I call it The Great.
Great，it passes on（in constant flow）。Passing on，it becomes remote. Having become remote，it returns. Therefore the Tao is great；Heaven is great；Earth is great；and the（sage）king is also great. In the universe there are four that are great，and the（sage）king is one of them.
Man takes his law from the Earth；the Earth takes its law from Heaven；Heaven takes its law from the Tao. The law of the Tao is its being what it is.
第二十六章 重为轻根，静为躁君。
是以君子终日行不离辎重。虽有荣观，燕处超然。
奈何万乘之主，而以身轻天下。轻则失根，躁则失君。
Chapter 26 Gravity is the root of lightness；stillness，the ruler of movement.
Therefore a wise prince，marching the whole day，does not go far from his baggage wagons. Although he may have brilliant prospects to look at，he quietly remains（in his proper place），indifferent to them. How should the lord of a myriad chariots carry himself lightly before the kingdom？If he do act lightly，he has lost his root（of gravity）；if he proceed to active movement，he will lose his throne.
第二十七章 善行无辙迹，善言无瑕谪﹔善数不用筹策﹔善闭无关楗而不可开，善结无绳约而不可解。
是以圣人常善救人，故无弃人﹔常善救物，故无弃物。是谓袭明。
故善人者，不善人之师﹔不善人者，善人之资。
不贵其师，不爱其资，虽智大迷，是谓要妙。
Chapter 27 The skilful traveller leaves no traces of his wheels or footsteps；the skilful speaker says nothing that can be found fault with or blamed；the skilful reckoner uses no tallies；the skilful closer needs no bolts or bars，while to open what he has shut will be impossible；the skilful binder uses no strings or knots，while to unloose what he has bound will be impossible. In the same way the sage is always skilful at saving men，and so he does not cast away any man；he is always skilful at saving things，and so he does not cast away anything. This is called‘Hiding the light of his procedure.’
Therefore the man of skill is a master（to be looked up to）by him who has not the skill；and he who has not the skill is the helper of（the reputation of）him who has the skill. If the one did not honour his master，and the other did not rejoice in his helper，an（observer），though intelligent，might greatly err about them. This is called‘The utmost degree of mystery.’
第二十八章 知其雄，守其雌，为天下溪。为天下溪，常德不离，复归于婴儿。
知其白，守其辱，为天下谷。
为天下谷，常德乃足，复归于朴。
知其白，守其黑，为天下式。为天下式，常德不忒，复归于无极。
朴散则为器，圣人用之，则为官长，故大智不割。
Chapter 28 Who knows his manhood‘s strength，Yet still his female feebleness maintains；
As to one channel flow the many drains，All come to him，yea，all beneath the sky. Thus he the constant excellence retains；
The simple child again，free from all stains.
Who knows how white attracts，Yet always keeps himself within black‘s shade，The pattern of humility displayed，Displayed in view of all beneath the sky；
He in the unchanging excellence arrayed，Endless return to man‘s first state has made.
Who knows how glory shines，Yet loves disgrace，nor e‘er for it is pale；
Behold his presence in a spacious vale，To which men come from all beneath the sky. The unchanging excellence completes its tale；
The simple infant man in him we hail.
The unwrought material，when divided and distributed，forms vessels. The sage，when employed，becomes the Head of all the Officers（of government）；and in his greatest regulations he employs no violent measures.
第二十九章 将欲取天下而为之，吾见其不得已。
天下神器，不可为也，不可执也。为者败之，执者失之。
是以圣人无为，故无败﹔无执，故无失。
夫物或行或随﹔或嘘或吹﹔或强或羸﹔或载或隳。是以圣人去甚，去奢，去泰。
Chapter 29 If any one should wish to get the kingdom for himself，and to effect this by what he does，I see that he will not succeed. The kingdom is a spirit-like thing，and cannot be got by active doing. He who would so win it destroys it；he who would hold it in his grasp loses it.
The course and nature of things is such that What was in front is now behind；
What warmed anon we freezing find. Strength is of weakness oft the spoil；
The store in ruins mocks our toil.
Hence the sage puts away excessive effort，extravagance，and easy indulgence.
第三十章 以道佐人主者，不以兵强天下。其事好远。
师之所处，荆棘生焉。大军之后，必有凶年。
善有果而已，不以取强。
果而勿矜，果而勿伐，果而勿骄。果而不得已，果而勿强。物壮则老，是谓不道，不道早已。
Chapter 30 He who would assist a lord of men in harmony with the Tao will not assert his mastery in the kingdom by force of arms. Such a course is sure to meet with its proper return.
Wherever a host is stationed，briars and thorns spring up. In the sequence of great armies there are sure to be bad years.
A skilful（commander）strikes a decisive blow，and stops. He does not dare（by continuing his operations）to assert and complete his mastery. He will strike the blow，but will be on his guard against being vain or boastful or arrogant in consequence of it. He strikes it as a matter of necessity；he strikes it，but not from a wish for mastery.
When things have attained their strong maturity they become old. This may be said to be not in accordance with the Tao：and what is not in accordance with it soon comes to an end.
第三十一章 夫兵者，不祥之器，物或恶之，故有道者不处。
君子居则贵左，用兵则贵右。
兵者不祥之器，非君子之器，不得已而用之，恬淡为上。
胜而不美，而美之者，是乐杀人。夫乐杀人者，则不可得志于天下矣。
吉事尚左，凶事尚右。偏将军居左，上将军居右，言以丧礼处之。
杀人之众，以悲哀泣之，战胜以丧礼处之。
Chapter 31 Now arms，however beautiful，are instruments of evil omen，hateful，it may be said，to all creatures. Therefore they who have the Tao do not like to employ them.
The superior man ordinarily considers the left hand the most honourable place，but in time of war the right hand. Those sharp weapons are instruments of evil omen，and not the instruments of the superior man；——he uses them only on the compulsion of necessity. Calm and repose are what he prizes；victory（by force of arms）is to him undesirable. To consider this desirable would be to delight in the slaughter of men；and he who delights in the slaughter of men cannot get his will in the kingdom.
On occasions of festivity to be on the left hand is the prized position；on occasions of mourning，the right hand. The second in command of the army has his place on the left；the general commanding in chief has his on the right；——his place，that is，is assigned to him as in the rites of mourning. He who has killed multitudes of men should weep for them with the bitterest grief；and the victor in battle has his place（rightly）according to those rites.
第三十二章 道常无名朴。虽小，天下莫能臣。侯王若能守之，万物将自宾。
天地相合，以降甘露，民莫之令而自均。
始制有名，名亦既有，夫亦将知止，知止可以不殆。
譬道之在天下，犹川谷之于江海。
Chapter 32 The Tao，considered as unchanging，has no name.
Though in its primordial simplicity it may be small，the whole world dares not deal with（one embodying）it as a minister. If a feudal prince or the king could guard and hold it，all would spontaneously submit themselves to him.
Heaven and Earth（under its guidance）unite together and send down the sweet dew，which，without the directions of men，reaches equally everywhere as of its own accord.
As soon as it proceeds to action，it has a name. When it once has that name，（men）can know to rest in it. When they know to rest in it，they can be free from all risk of failure and error.
The relation of the Tao to all the world is like that of the great rivers and seas to the streams from the valleys.
第三十三章 知人者智，自知者明。胜人者有力，自胜者强。知足者富。强行者有志。
不失其所者久。死而不亡者寿。
Chapter 33 He who knows other men is discerning；he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong；he who overcomes himself is mighty. He who is satisfied with his lot is rich；he who goes on acting with energy has a（firm）will.
He who does not fail in the requirements of his position，continues long；he who dies and yet does not perish，has longevity.
第三十四章 大道泛兮，其可左右。万物恃之以生而不辞，功成而不有。
衣养万物而不为主，可名于小﹔万物归焉而不为主，可名为大。以其终不自为大，故能成其大。
Chapter 34 All-pervading is the Great Tao！It may be found on the left hand and on the right.
All things depend on it for their production，which it gives to them，not one refusing obedience to it. When its work is accomplished，it does not claim the name of having done it. It clothes all things as with a garment，and makes no assumption of being their lord；——it may be named in the smallest things. All things return（to their root and disappear），and do not know that it is it which presides over their doing so；——it may be named in the greatest things.
Hence the sage is able（in the same way）to accomplish his great achievements. It is through his not making himself great that he can accomplish them.
第三十五章 执大象，天下往。往而不害，安平泰。
乐与饵，过客止。道之出口，淡乎其无味，视之不足见，听之不足闻，用之不足既。
Chapter 35 To him who holds in his hands the Great Image（of the invisible Tao），the whole world repairs. Men resort to him，and receive no hurt，but（find）rest，peace，and the feeling of ease.
Music and dainties will make the passing guest stop（for a time）。
But though the Tao as it comes from the mouth，seems insipid and has no flavour，though it seems not worth being looked at or listened to，the use of it is inexhaustible.
第三十六章 将欲歙之，必故张之﹔将欲弱之，必故强之﹔
将欲废之，必故兴之﹔将欲取之，必故与之。
是谓微明。柔弱胜刚强。鱼不可脱于渊，国之利器不可以示人。
Chapter 36 When one is about to take an inspiration，he is sure to make a（previous）expiration；when he is going to weaken another，he will first strengthen him；when he is going to overthrow another，he will first have raised him up；when he is going to despoil another，he will first have made gifts to him：——this is called‘Hiding the light（of his procedure）。’
The soft overcomes the hard；and the weak the strong.
Fishes should not be taken from the deep；instruments for the profit of a state should not be shown to the people.
第三十七章 道常无为而无不为。侯王若能守之，万物将自化。
化而欲作，吾将镇之以无名之朴。镇之以无名之朴，夫将不欲。不欲以静，天下将自正。
Chapter 37 The Tao in its regular course does nothing（for the sake of doing it），and so there is nothing which it does not do.
If princes and kings were able to maintain it，all things would of themselves be transformed by them.
If this transformation became to me an object of desire，I would express the desire by the nameless simplicity.
Simplicity without a name Is free from all external aim. With no desire，at rest and still，All things go right as of their will.
第三十八章 上德不德，是以有德﹔下德不失德，是以无德。
上德无为而无以为﹔下德无为而有以为。上仁为之而无以为﹔上义为之而有以为。
上礼为之而莫之应，则攘臂而扔之。
故失道而后德，失德而后仁，失仁而后义，失义而后礼。
夫礼者，忠信之薄，而乱之首。
前识者，道之华，而愚之始。
是以大丈夫处其厚，不居其薄﹔处其实，不居其华。故去彼取此。
Chapter 38 （Those who）possessed in highest degree the attributes（of the Tao）did not（seek）to show them，and therefore they possessed them（in fullest measure）。（Those who）possessed in a lower degree those attributes（sought how）not to lose them，and therefore they did not possess them（in fullest measure）。
（Those who）possessed in the highest degree those attributes did nothing（with a purpose），and had no need to do anything.（Those who）
possessed them in a lower degree were（always）doing，and had need to be so doing.
（Those who）possessed the highest benevolence were（always seeking）to carry it out，and had no need to be doing so.（Those who）possessed the highest righteousness were（always seeking）to carry it out，and had need to be so doing.
（Those who）possessed the highest（sense of）propriety were（always seeking）to show it，and when men did not respond to it，they bared the arm and marched up to them.
Thus it was that when the Tao was lost，its attributes appeared；
when its attributes were lost，benevolence appeared；when benevolence was lost，righteousness appeared；and when righteousness was lost，the proprieties appeared.
Now propriety is the attenuated form of leal-heartedness and good faith，and is also the commencement of disorder；swift apprehension is（only）a flower of the Tao，and is the beginning of stupidity.
Thus it is that the Great man abides by what is solid，and eschews what is flimsy；dwells with the fruit and not with the flower. It is thus that he puts away the one and makes choice of the other
第三十九章 昔之得一者：天得一以清﹔地得一以宁﹔神得一以灵﹔谷得一以生﹔侯得一以为天下正。
其致之也，谓天无以清，将恐裂﹔地无以宁，将恐废﹔神无以灵，将恐歇﹔谷无以盈，将恐竭﹔万物无以生，将恐灭﹔侯王无以正，将恐蹶。
故贵以贱为本，高以下为基。
是以侯王自称孤、寡、不谷。
此非以贱为本邪。非乎。故致誉无誉。
是故不欲琭琭如玉，珞珞如石。
Chapter 39 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（Tao）。
If heaven were not thus pure，it soon would rend；
If earth were not thus sure，‘twould 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 elegant-looking as jade，but（prefer）to be coarse-looking as an（ordinary）stone.
第四十章 反者道之动﹔弱者道之用。天下万物生于有，有生于无。
Chapter 40 The movement of the Tao By contraries proceeds；
And weakness marks the course Of Tao‘s mighty deeds.
All things under heaven sprang from It as existing（and named）；
that existence sprang from It as non-existent（and not named）。
第四十一章 上士闻道，勤而行之﹔中士闻道，若存若亡﹔
下士闻道，大笑之。不笑不足以为道。
故建言有之：明道若昧﹔进道若退﹔夷道若颣﹔上德若谷﹔广德若不足﹔建德若偷﹔质真若渝﹔大白若辱﹔大方无隅﹔大器晚成﹔大音希声﹔大象无形﹔道隐无名。
夫唯道，善贷且成。
Chapter 41 Scholars of the highest class，when they hear about the Tao，earnestly carry it into practice. Scholars of the middle class，when they have heard about it，seem now to keep it and now to lose it. Scholars of the lowest class，when they have heard about it，laugh greatly at it. If it were not（thus）laughed at，it would not be fit to be the Tao.
Therefore the sentence-makers have thus expressed themselves：——
‘The Tao，when brightest seen，seems light to lack；
Who progress in it makes，seems drawing back；
Its even way is like a rugged track. Its highest virtue from the vale doth rise；
Its greatest beauty seems to offend the eyes；
And he has most whose lot the least supplies. Its firmest virtue seems but poor and low；
Its solid truth seems change to undergo；
Its largest square doth yet no corner show A vessel great，it is the slowest made；
Loud is its sound，but never word it said；
A semblance great，the shadow of a shade.‘
The Tao is hidden，and has no name；but it is the Tao which is skilful at imparting（to all things what they need）and making them complete.
第四十二章 道生一，一生二，二生三，三生万物。
万物负阴而抱阳，冲气以为和。
人之所恶，唯孤、寡、不谷，而王公以为称。
故物或损之而益，或益之而损。人之所教，我亦教之。
强梁者不得其死，吾将以为教父。
Chapter 42 The Tao produced One；One produced Two；Two produced Three；
Three produced All things. All things leave behind them the Obscurity（out of which they have come），and go forward to embrace the Brightness（into which they have emerged），while they are harmonised by the Breath of Vacancy.
What men dislike is to be orphans，to have little virtue，to be as carriages without naves；and yet these are the designations which kings and princes use for themselves. So it is that some things are increased by being diminished，and others are diminished by being increased.
What other men（thus）teach，I also teach. The violent and strong do not die their natural death. I will make this the basis of my teaching.
第四十三章 天下之至柔，驰骋天下之至坚。
无有入无间，吾是以知无为之有益。
不言之教，无为之益，天下希及之。
Chapter 43 The softest thing in the world dashes against and overcomes the hardest；that which has no（substantial）existence enters where there is no crevice. I know hereby what advantage belongs to doing nothing（with a purpose）。
There are few in the world who attain to the teaching without words，and the advantage arising from non-action.
第四十四章 名与身孰亲。身与货孰多。得与亡孰病。
甚爱必大费﹔多藏必厚亡。故知足不辱，知止不殆，可以长久。
Chapter 44 Or fame or life，Which do you hold more dear？
Or life or wealth，To which would you adhere？
Keep life and lose those other things；
Keep them and lose your life：——which brings Sorrow and pain more near？
Thus we may see，Who cleaves to fame Rejects what is more great；
Who loves large stores Gives up the richer state.
Who is content Needs fear no shame. Who knows to stop Incurs no blame. From danger free Long live shall he.
第四十五章 大成若缺，其用不弊。大盈若冲，其用不穷。大直若屈，大巧若拙，大辩若讷。静胜躁，寒胜热。清静为天下正。
Chapter 45 Who thinks his great achievements poor Shall find his vigour long endure. Of greatest fulness，deemed a void，Exhaustion ne‘er shall stem the tide. Do thou what’s straight still crooked deem；
Thy greatest art still stupid seem，And eloquence a stammering scream.
Constant action overcomes cold；being still overcomes heat. Purity and stillness give the correct law to all under heaven.
第四十六章 天下有道，却走马以粪。天下无道，戎马生于郊。
祸莫大于不知足﹔咎莫大于欲得。故知足之足，常足矣。
Chapter 46 When the Tao prevails in the world，they send back their swift horses to（draw）the dung-carts. When the Tao is disregarded in the world，the war-horses breed in the border lands.
There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition；no calamity greater than to be discontented with one‘s lot；no fault greater than the wish to be getting. Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is an enduring and unchanging sufficiency.
第四十七章 不出户，知天下﹔不窥牖，见天道。
其出弥远，其知弥少。是以圣人不行而知，不见而明，不为而成。
Chapter 47 Without going outside his door，one understands（all that takes place）under the sky；without looking out from his window，one sees the Tao of Heaven. The farther that one goes out（from himself），the less he knows.
Therefore the sages got their knowledge without travelling；gave their（right）names to things without seeing them；and accomplished their ends without any purpose of doing so.
第四十八章 为学日益，为道日损。损之又损，以至于无为。无为而无不为。
取天下常以无事，及其有事，不足以取天下。
Chapter 48 He who devotes himself to learning（seeks）from day to day to increase（his knowledge）；he who devotes himself to the Tao（seeks）
from day to day to diminish（his doing）。
He diminishes it and again diminishes it，till he arrives at doing nothing（on purpose）。Having arrived at this point of non-action，there is nothing which he does not do.
He who gets as his own all under heaven does so by giving himself no trouble（with that end）。If one take trouble（with that end），he is not equal to getting as his own all under heaven.
第四十九章 圣人常无心，以百姓心为心。
善者，吾善之﹔不善者，吾亦善之﹔德善。信者，吾信之﹔不信者，吾亦信之﹔德信。
圣人在天下，歙歙焉，为天下浑其心，百姓皆注其耳目，圣人皆孩之。
Chapter 49 The sage has no invariable mind of his own；he makes the mind of the people his mind.
To those who are good（to me），I am good；and to those who are not good（to me），I am also good；——and thus（all）get to be good. To those who are sincere（with me），I am sincere；and to those who are not sincere（with me），I am also sincere；——and thus（all）get to be sincere.
The sage has in the world an appearance of indecision，and keeps his mind in a state of indifference to all. The people all keep their eyes and ears directed to him，and he deals with them all as his children.