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If aiming too high； lower it；
If aiming too high； raise it。
Thus；
The surplus is reduced and the needy supplemented。
The way of Heaven is to reduce the surplus so as to supplement the needy。
The way of Mankind is just the opposite：
It takes away from the needy so as to enrich the surplus。
Who would offer their surpluses to the world？
Only followers of Tao。
So the sage it to：
Care for but not to master；
Complete the work without claiming credit； and
Avoid recognition of his achievements。
78
Nothing in the world is softer and weaker than water。
Yet there is nothing better for conquering the hard and strong； and there is no substitute for it。
That the weak overcomes the strong and
The soft overcomes the hard；
Is understood by the entire world；
But non can practice it。
So the sage says：
One who suffers disgrace for the state is qualified to be its leader。
One who caries the burden of the state抯 misfortune is fit to be its king。
The words of truth sound contrarian。
79
Deep grievances can be ameliorated； but residual ones remain。
How can this situation be improved？
Thus：
The sage holds the left half of the debt instrument； and never abuses the debtor。
A person of virtue just keeps the left portion； but
A person of no virtue abuses the debtor。
The way of Heaven is neutral；
But it always sides with the virtuous person。
80
There exists a small state with a few people。
Wherein：
Plenty of useful tools are not being used。
Valuing life； the people do not migrate faraway。
Though there are boats and carriages； no one rides in them。
Let the people return to the time of tying knots on ropes for reckoning。
Let them：
Enjoy their food；
Beautify their clothing；
Live in peace at home； and
Be happy with their heritage。
The people in neighbouring states are within sight of each other；
The crowing of cocks and barking of dogs are heard from each other；
Yet the people die of old age without visiting with each other。
81
Credible words are not artful：
Artful words are not credible。
An objective person does not argue；
A person who argues is not objective。
He who knows the truth may not be erudite；
He who is erudite may not know the truth。
The sage does not hoard for himself；
The more he benefits others the happier he becomes；
The more he gives away to others the wealthier he feels。
The way of Heaven； benefits all； harms none。
The way of the sage： be helpful to all； contentious against none。
English_Chilcott_TTK
Das Tao Te King von Lao Tse
Chinese … English by
Tim Chilcott； 2005
1
The Way that can be spoken of
is not the changeless DAO。
The name that can be named
is not the changeless Name。
Namelessness： the blank that was before both heaven and earth。
Naming： the mother of all living things。
To understand the mysteries of DAO； empty yourself of all desire；
to understand its outward forms； fill yourself with all desire。
DAO and the world flow from the same source； but differ in name。
Their oneness is a mystery； a mystery upon a mystery；
the gateway to the essence of everything that is。
2
The whole world recognises what is beautiful
only because of ugliness。
The whole world recognises what is good
only because of sin。
Being and non…being have a common birth。
Hard and easy complement each other；
long and short off…set each other；
high and low are measured by each other；
text and voice harmonise with each other； *
before and after follow one another。 **
Those who have attained enlightenment
act without acting
teach without speaking。
Ten thousand things arise； the enlightened make no claim on them；
they give them life without possessing them；
they nourish them without expecting gratitude；
they finish what they have to do without claiming recognition。
It is because they make no claim to recognition
that they are recognised for ever。
* yin sheng： text and voice
Although both yin and sheng have clear musical connotations； the exact contrast here is harder to establish。 Yin has been variously translated as 憈one/note/sound/pitch/treble？ and sheng as 憊oice/melody/mood/silence？ Since the two terms must be in some kind of opposition to each other； given the immediately preceding contrasts； the difference between the written word （憈ext？ and the sung or spoken word （憊oice？ may offer a reasonable interpretation。
** qian hou xiang sui： before and after follow one another
qian and hou can also be translated as 慺ront？and 慴ack？ or 慺uture？and 憄ast？ Whichever rendering is preferred； the underlying image is of the unbroken cycle of a circle； where any moment of time； or any point in space； are simultaneously both before and after all other moments and points in the circle。
3
If status is not praised
people will not quarrel；
if treasures are not prized
people will not steal；
if objects of desire are not displayed
people抯 hearts will not be troubled。
So those who are enlightened govern by
quietening the people抯 hearts and filling up their bellies；
stilling their ambitiousness and strengthening their bones。
They show people how to live simply； without desires；
and ensure the cunning do not dare to act。
Do what needs no action； and order will prevail。
4
DAO is an emptiness
but to use it will not drain it。
DAO is fathomless
but is the origin of everything that is。
It blunts sharp edges
untangles knots
softens glare
and merges with the dust of all the world。
Profoundly still； it has always been like this。
I do not know whose child it is。
It images the forefather of God。
5
Heaven and earth are never partial；
they treat all living things dispassionately。 *
Those who are enlightened are never partial；
they treat all people equally。
The space between the heavens and the earth is like a bellows；
empty and yet inexhaustible。
The more it works； the more it makes come out。
Too many words will bring about exhaustion。
Better to hold fast to the centre within。
* chu gou： dispassionately卐qually
the literal meaning of chu gou is 憇traw dogs？ a reference to the ritual whereby a straw dog is treated with the greatest care and deference before being offered up in sacrifice； only to be discarded and trampled upon once it has served its purpose。 The image conveys the sublime impartiality of heaven and earth； as well as of those who are enlightened； towards all living things。
6
The spirit of the valley never dies。
It is called the deep and hidden feminine。
The opening to the deep and hidden feminine
is called the root of heaven and earth。
Lingering like gossamer； it always seems to be。
Using