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uperiors； because of this they are difficult to govern。 Men are continually dying because they lust after life； because of this they frequently die。
It is only those with whom life is no object who truly value life。
76
At birth man is supple and weak； at death rigid and strong。 So with inanimate nature ？say the vegetable creation ？in its early growth it is pliable and brittle； at death it is decayed and withered。 It follows that rigidity and strength are the way to death； pliability and gentleness the way to life。
Hence a soldier who is arrogant cannot conquer； the tree which is strong is doomed。
The firm and the great occupy the lower place； the pliable and the meek the higher。
77
The Divine Way is like the drawing of a bow； it brings down the high and exalts the low。 Where there is superfluity it takes away； where there is deficiency it imparts。 It is the way of heaven to diminish abundance； and supplement deficiency。
The way of man is not so。 He depletes the deficient； that he may supplement the superfluous。
Who is able to have a superabundance for the service of the world？ Only the possessor of the Tao！ Hence the Holy Man acts without priding himself on his actions； completes his work without lingering on it； he has no desire to display his superiority。
78
Nothing is so flexible as water； yet for attacking that which is hard nothing surpasses it。 There is nothing which supplants it。
The weak overcomes the strong； the soft control the hard。 Everyone knows this； but no one practices it。
Hence a Sage has said ？揥ho bears his country抯 reproach is hailed as the lord of his nation抯 altars。 Who bears his country抯 misfortunes is called the Empire抯 chief。？br》 Truth； when expressed in speech； appears paradoxical。
79
To compromise a great hate leaves ill…will behind； that is only a bleeding which produces tranquility。
Therefore the Holy Man does not pry into other people's affairs； even when he holds the left…hand bond； possessing the attributes of the Tao； he quietly holds his own； he who lacks the qualities of Tao strives to put everybody right。
It is heaven抯 way to be without favourites； and to be always on the side of the good man。
80
A state may be small； and the population sparse； yet the people should be taught not to rely on force； they should be made to comprehend the gravity of death； and the futility of emigration。 Then； though they had boats and carts； they would have no use for them； though they had armour and weapons they would not display them。 They should be taught to return to the use of the quippo； to be content with their food； their clothing； their dwellings； and to be happy in their traditions。 Though neighbouring states were within sight； and the people should hear the barking of their dogs and the crowing of their cocks； they would grow old and die without visiting them。
81
Sincere words are not （necessarily） pleasant； nor are pleasant words （necessarily） sincere。
The good are not （necessarily） skillful debaters； not are skillful debaters （necessarily） good men。
The wise are not （necessarily） well informed； nor are the well informed （necessarily） wise。
The Holy Man does not accumulate。 He works for others； yet ever has abundance for himself； he gives to others； yet himself ever possesses superabundance。
The divine way is advantageous； without danger； the way of the Sages is effective without struggle。
English_Merel1_TTK
Das Tao Te King von Lao Tse
English interpolation by
Peter Merel
1
Tao
The Tao that can be known is not Tao。
The substance of the World is only a name for Tao。
Tao is all that exists and may exist；
The World is only a map of what exists and may exist。
One experiences without Self to sense the World；
And experiences with Self to understand the World。
The two experiences are the same within Tao；
They are distinct only within the World。
Neither experience conveys Tao
Which is infinitely greater and more subtle than the World。
2
Qualities
When Beauty is recognised in the World
Ugliness has been learned；
When Good is recognised in the World
Evil has been learned。
In this way：
Alive and dead are abstracted from growth；
Difficult and easy are abstracted from progress；
Far and near are abstracted from position；
Strong and weak are abstracted from control；
Song and speech are abstracted from harmony；
After and before are abstracted from sequence。
The sage controls without authority；
And teaches without words；
He lets all things rise and fall；
Nurtures； but does not interfere；
Gives without demanding；
And is content。
3
Control
Not praising the worthy prevents cheating
Not esteeming the rare prevents theft
Not flaunting beauty prevents lust
So the sage controls people by：
Emptying their hearts；
Filling their bellies；
Weakening their ambitions；
And strengthening their bodies。
If people lack knowledge and desire
The crafty among them can not act；
If no action is taken
Then all live in peace。
4
Properties of Tao
Properties of Tao
Tao is a depthless vessel；
Used by the Self； it is not filled by the World；
It cannot be cut； knotted； dimmed or stilled；
Its depths are hidden； ubiquitous and eternal；
I don't know where it came from；
It came before Nature。
5
Nature
Nature
Nature is not kind；
It treats all things impartially。
The Sage is not kind；
And treats all people impartially。
Nature is like a bellows
Empty； yet supplying all needs；
The more it moves； the more it yields；
The sage draws upon Tao in the same way
And can not be exhausted。
6
The Heart
Like a riverbed； the heart is never filled
It is an ineffable female
Whose entrance is the source of the World；
Tao is ever present within it：
Draw upon it and it will never fail。
7
Self
Nature is everlasting because it does not have a Self。
In this way the sage：
Serves his Self last and finds it served first；
Sees his body as accidental and finds it endures。
Because he does not serve his Self； he is content。
8
Intimacy
The best of man is like water；
Which benefits all things； and does not contend with them；
Which flows in places that others disdain；
Where it holds fast to Tao。
So the sage：
In dwelling holds fast to the land；
In governing holds fast to order；
In talking holds fast to truth；
In dealing holds fast to men；
In acting holds fast to opportunity；
In crafting holds fast to competence；
In feeling holds fast to the heart；
He does not contend； and so is without blame。
9
Hubris
Stretch a bow to its limit and it is soon broken；
Temper a blade to its sharpest and it is soon blunted；
Amass the greatest treasure