Dao De Jing Decrypted Interpretation

LESSON ONE DAO

“Dao” can be called Dao,

but also not necessarily called Dao.

It can be named as “Dao”,

but also not necessarily named as Dao.

The nameless “Dao” creates the Heaven and Earth.

After having the fixed name, the Named (Mother) gives birth to the myriads of lives.

One shall remove all selfishness and desires when cultivating Dao. Only then can he achieve internal peace.

Then, he can observe the mystery of Dao.

If one bears selfishness and desires when cultivating Dao, the mind will not be peaceful.

Although both aiming to cultivate Dao, the results are different respectively.

Both say Dao is “Xuan” (mysterious).

Revolving by revolving, one can enter into the gateway of Dao.

Countless gateways of mystery exist. One is able to enter provided that he cultivates diligently.

LESSON TWO HEARING OF DAO

When a superior person hears of Dao,

he cultivates diligently.

When an average person hears of Dao,

he sometimes believes and sometimes doubts.

When an inferior person hears of Dao,

he derides it loudly.

If not derided, it would not be the “Dao”.

People who like to gossip about others, say:

Those who are enlightened with “Dao”, are foolish, as said by others.

Those who are making progress in cultivating Dao, are regressing, as said by others.

Those who just start to cultivate Dao, will face lots of obstacles.

Those with superior and reputable virtue look like falling into a deep valley, as said by others.

An innocent person is still humiliated by others.

The vaster one person’s virtue is, the more he feels insufficient.

Cultivated virtue is said to be due to selfish interest by others.

Only genuine virtue can be long-lasting.

Only generosity can satisfy people’s hearts.

A great masterpiece can only be completed with dedicated care and extra precision.

The loudest sound is rarely heard.

The largest image usually cannot be seen.

Dao – truly, cannot be described using any suitable name.

For those who cultivate Dao,

must follow through well with Dao cultivation from the beginning till the end.

LESSON THREE THE WELL-DOER

Dao is the most mysterious wonder of all things and all beings.

It is the invaluable treasure of the well-doer.

If the wicked implores Dao, he can only receive limited protection.

Fine words can gain others’ trust temporarily.

Honourable conduct can be the model for people.

When dealing with the wicked,

is there any reason to abandon them?

Therefore, in the grand ceremony of the emperor’s coronation and ministers’ inauguration,

although there are tributes of precious round jade and high carriage with four horses,

it is still better to sit and cultivate Dao.

Why did the ancients value this “Dao” so preciously?

Although not every single request is satisfied, there will always be some gains.

When a sinful person implores Dao, he could possibly relieve his retribution for evils to certain degree.

Thus, Dao is highly valued by the people over the world.

LESSON FOUR ESTABLISHING VIRTUE

Buildings constructed by professional architects are not easy to be damaged.

It is very difficult to escape once held by a skillful wrestler.

Why do the descendants keep holding sacrificial ceremonies?

When one person cultivates Dao himself,

his virtue is genuine and creditable.

When a whole family cultivates Dao,

their virtue is in surplus.

When an entire village cultivates Dao,

their virtue can be enduring.

When a whole country cultivates Dao,

the virtue of the country is abundant.

When the whole world cultivates Dao,

the light of virtue will illuminate everything in the world.

Hence, compare the person who cultivates Dao with those who do not.

Compare the family that cultivates Dao with those that do not.

Compare the village that cultivates Dao with those that do not.

Compare the country that cultivates Dao with those that do not.

Compare the world that cultivates Dao with those that do not.

The reason why I know that the world is so is through this comparison method precisely.

LESSON FIVE ENJOYING DAO

If you master the Great Image (Dao),

people from all over the world will pledge allegiance to you.

The arrival of people does not impose any harm.

They all can live peacefully,

with pleasant music and delicious food,

which attract the passers-by to stay.

When “Dao” is described by words,

It cannot be seen if you look intentionally.

It cannot be heard if you listen intentionally.

However, it is inexhaustible when you use it.

LESSON SIX ADVOCATING DAO

Small country with little population.

Although it possesses various weaponries, it seldom uses them.

Thus, even though people are sentenced to death, they are not willing to flee.

Although there are boats,

nobody rides.

Although armed military forces exist,

there is no occasion to deploy them.

Make people seem to return back to the ancient times when knotted ropes were used for recording,

a state without conflicts.

People have delicious food to eat,

stylish clothes to dress up,

conformable houses to stay,

and satisfying professional careers to pursue.

People from neighbouring countries often visit each other.

The barking of dogs and crowing of cocks can also be heard across the border.

People, always and persistently,

do not have conflict or fight with each other.

LESSON SEVEN COMPREHENDING DAO

Govern a country with the upright attitude.

Fight a battle with surprise attacking tactics.

One can win over the world nonchalantly without over attention.

How do I know that this is so?

By using the following methods in views to these:

The noble people in the world are usually jealous of others.

But the ordinary people live in poverty.

The more weapons the people possess,

the more chaotic the country becomes.

The more skills the people master,

the more exotic products will be manufactured constantly.

The more legislations are established,

the more thieves and robbers appear.

Hence, the sage rightly declares:

I delight in tranquillity. Thus, people will naturally follow the right path.

I do not manage to handle matters that encounter others’ reluctance to accomplish. Thus, people will naturally become wealthy and content.

LESSON EIGHT SUPERIOR VIRTUE

A person of superior virtue does not claim that his virtue is superior.

Hence, he is truly virtuous.

A person of inferior virtue is afraid of being commented as unvirtuous.

Hence, he is indeed not virtuous.

A person of superior virtue acts without action, but eventually everything can be achieved.

A person of inferior virtue acts with striving effort, resulting in nothing done well.

When the most benevolent person decides to handle a matter, nothing is unachievable.

A person with the strongest code of brotherhood can only handle very limited matters.

When a person with merely superior ostensible handles a matter, he always cannot manage it well.

The only thing left is yelling and shouting while waving arms.

Therefore, a person who gives up on Dao, approaches virtue subsequently.

A person who gives up on virtue, then seeks benevolence.

A person who gives up on benevolence, then seeks brotherhood.

A person who gives up on brotherhood, then seeks etiquette.

A person without etiquette,

holds no faith in loyalty, honesty, commitment and righteousness.

He is the chief culprit of creating chaos.

A person with foreknowledge is blessed with the essence of the Great Dao,

which also marks the beginning of ignorance.

Therefore, a Dao cultivator always places Dao in the important position,

without despising it.

Treat it with solid arrangement,

not for the sake of fine words.

Thus, one should eliminate the dross and absorb the essence.

LESSON NINE ELIMINATING LEARNING

The elimination of learning will free a person from worries,

only when accompanied by Dao.

How much is the difference between the two?

The well-doer or the evil.

What are the differences between the two then?

Things that everyone fears about must be prevented from happening.

What if they really happen?

Very few people can be saved from being caught by the desolate scene!

Although people are busy moving to and fro,

they are actually suffering as painfully as if being imprisoned,

as lonely as if ascending to the top of terrace in spring.

But I alone stay unhurt as if sitting in a boat,

as safe as an unborn infant.

The boat carrying me sways and sways without any fixed destination.

Everyone has a surplus,

but only I feel insufficient.

Fulfill the aspirations of the people with my ignorance.

In this chaotic universe,

ordinary people’s minds are as clear as noonday.

But only I feel dizzy and tired.

Watch people attentively.

I am the only one who feel gloomy and unhappy.

The sea breeze blows on the sea.

It is actually a sort of endless waste.

All the people have destinations.

But I alone do not have destination.

Only I have different desires as compared with others.

The key valuable point is the intake of natural Qi.

LESSON TEN CULTIVATING DAO

Scholars shall expand scientific knowledge daily.

It is better for those who cultivate Dao to possess less knowledge of Qigong/cultivation.

Less such knowledge is not good enough. Reduce it lesser,

until no such knowledge is the best.

Initially you do not know how to cultivate Dao at all. Ultimately you will master Dao cultivation.

If you want to have authority over the world, you shall not resort to force always.

If considering using force often, you are unable to govern the country.

First, you cannot win over the world. Second, you will still lose it quickly even if you win it over.

LESSON ELEVEN DAO OF HEAVEN

Know the world without leaving the room.

Observe the Great Dao not necessarily through the window.

The further you travel,

the less you know.

Therefore, the sage knows everything without going out.

He can name an object without seeing it.

He can gain success without actual involvement in a particular matter.

LESSON TWELVE GOVERNING COUNTRY

Those who were good at country governance in ancient times,

were all Dao cultivators.

It does not depend on how much wisdom people have,

but rather dispel their un-wisdom.

The reason why people are difficult to be ruled

is because there are too many governors who impose their own will on people.

Hence, if you govern a country using your own knowledge,

thieves and robbers will arise all over the country.

If you govern the country following the people’s will instead of using your own knowledge,

the country will then be happy and prosper.

By understanding the above two ways of governing a country,

you will know the model in your heart.

Apply this model frequently to governing a country.

This is called “Mystical Virtue”.

“Mystical Virtue” means deep feeling for the people as well as long foresight of the country!

Have an insight into the opposite aspect of everything.

Hence, governing a country will be extremely smooth.

LESSON THIRTEEN ACHIEVABLE

The real learned does not boast.

A person who enjoys boasting, actually possesses very little knowledge.

Block the Body Gates.

Close the Qi Doors.

Prevent the Essence, Qi and Spirit from being released.

Gather the scattered.

Thus, form a powerful light beam.

It seems to be mixed with dust.

This is called the “Mystical Unity”.

Surely the light of cyan colour is very difficult to achieve.

Achieve sparse light is not easy as well.

Do not get overexcited even if it is achieved.

Do not get afraid even if it is not achieved.

Treasure Cherish it once it is achieved.

Do not despise it even if it is not achieved.

Thus, it is highly valued by all the people in the world.

LESSON FOURTEEN VENERATING THE WORTHY

By not excessively venerating the virtuous and talented person,

people will not vie and conflict with each other.

By not valuing those goods that are difficult to obtain,

the thieves and robbers among the civil will be lessen then.

By not seeing those things desired in the mind and yet unobtainable,

people’s heart will not be distracted.

Therefore, the governing methods of the sage are:

Keep heart empty and peaceful.

Fill up abdomen (dan tian).

Hold few pursuits.

Strengthen one’s sinews and bones.

Always guide people remove those unachievable desires.

Do not bring innocent person to do so as well

In the end, nothing cannot be accomplished.

Nothing cannot be managed as well.

LESSON FIFTEEN FIVE COLOURS

The five colours of auspicious light,

can dazzle one’s eyes.

The five tones (all sorts of tones) of sound,

can deafen one’s ears.

The five flavours (all sorts of flavours),

can make the food taste delicious and refreshing.

Hunting while galloping in the wild,

one have some madness feeling rising in heart.

Valuable things are

impossible to safe guard.

Therefore, a sage or a virtuous person

fills up his abdomen (dan tian) first, and does not seek to see anything.

Thus, discard the latter and adopt the former.

LESSON SIXTEEN WU WEI

“Dao” usually does not intervene in anything.

Once it does intervene, there is nothing that it cannot accomplish.

If a monarch can persevere in cultivating Dao,

myriads of lives shall evolve naturally.

During the natural evolution, there is no external interference at all.

I shall define it as “the Nameless Pu”.

What is the meaning of “the Nameless Pu”?

It still requires the removal of personal selfish desires.

Rather, it would be better to guard tranquillity.

Hence, the world will naturally be stabilized.

LESSON SEVENTEEN UNWORTHY

People in the whole world say that it is not good that I hold such powerful “Dao”.

Indeed, I am truly a bit powerful!

Therefore, people say that I am unworthy.

If everyone says that I am worthy,

gradually I will also become the same as everyone else.

I possess three treasures,

and always preserve them.

The first is called compassion.

The second is called frugality.

The third is called dare not contend for advantage with people in the world.

With compassion, one can be courageous to bear heavy responsibilities.

With frugality, one can draw on collective wisdom.

Without contending for advantage with people in the world, one can be a leader.

If one abandons compassion, he is only left with bravery,

If one abandons frugality, he can only harvest a little while cultivating extensively.

If one is not willing to stay behind, he has to beat others to grab first.

As a result, he is doomed to perish.

If possessing compassion, one shall inevitably win in the battle field,

and secure the city firmly when protecting it.

When you suffer from misfortune, Heaven will rescue you and

protect you with the heart of loving-kindness.

LESSON EIGHTEEN FEARING DEATH

When people do not even fear death,

why threaten them with death?

If you make people always live in a state of fearing death,

you are a weird person.

I will seize and execute you.

Dare to do so?

One who directs others to kill people behind the scene,

shall be executed.

One who is directed to kill people and does it straight away,

shall be executed as well.

This is called substituting the master carpenter to cut down the trees.

One who substitutes the master carpenter to cut down the trees,

rarely does not get his hands hurt.

LESSON NINETEEN FEARING THREAT

When people do not fear threats,

there shall be imminent disaster.

Nobody disturbs the place of my accommodation.

No restriction in daily livelihood as well.

Why don’t I face those pressures?

It is because nobody comes to insult me.

Therefore, the sage understands this principle without speaking it out.

Although he also cherishes himself, he does not exalt himself.

Thus, discard the latter and adopt the former.

LESSON TWENTY THE KIND-HEARTED

The sage has no fixed thoughts.

He treats the fulfilment of the people’s thoughts as his own wish.

To a kind-hearted person,

I shall treat him kindly.

To an unkind person,

I shall treat him kindly as well.

This is called the virtue of the kind-hearted.

To a trustworthy person,

I shall trust him.

To an untrustworthy person,

I shall trust him as well.

This is called the virtue of trustworthiness.

The sages all over the world,

inspire all the people’s spirits using the breathing Qi.

Everyone’s hands and feet are perfused with essential Qi.

The sages are as happy as children.

LESSON TWENTY ONE GOOD RIDER

A good rider leaves no signs of wheel track.

A good speaker has no superfluous words.

A good calculator does not need to use abacus.

A person who is good at locking doors does not need any complicated bolts.

Yet you cannot open.

A person who is good at tying knots is not restricted by the string.

Yet others cannot untie.

Therefore, a sage or a virtuous person

is always good at saving and helping others.

Hence, he will not abandon them.

A person who is good at repairing,

has nothing to discard.

This is where the sage’s wisdom lies.

Thus, a kind-hearted person

is the teacher of the unkind.

An unkind person

can make the kind-hearted gain wisdom.

If you do not value these matters and

treasure these knowledge,

although apparently you seem to be knowledgeable, it is actually a huge confusion.

This is a pivotally excellent move.

LESSON TWENTY TWO FAVOUR OR HUMILIATION

When subjected to favour or humiliation, one can feel suprised and panic.

Being too noble will definitely bring much worry and suffering.

What is called as “favour or humiliation causes surprise and panic”?

Grant favour to subordinates.

The person who is granted favour then feels surprised.

The person who is not granted favour thus feels panic.

This is called “favour or humiliation causes surprise and panic”.

What is “being too noble will definitely bring much worry and suffering”?

The reason why I have great trouble and suffering is

because of the existence of my physical body.

Once my physical body does not exist,

what worry and suffering shall I have then?

The reason why being noble is because of the existence of the physical body.

If one can be entrusted with the world,

he shall love people in the world as much as he cares for his own body.

Such person can be entrusted with the world.

LESSON TWENTY THREE GOVERNING PEOPLE

Governing people and managing affairs consist in winning people’s heart in the world.

It is the best to be stingy (with fruits of labour).

The best means to be stingy is

to start from every morning.

Morning till night,

this is called the emphasis of accumulating merit and virtue.

If emphasizing the accumulation of virtue,

there will be no unconquerable difficulties.

Without unconquerable difficulties,

you will not know where is the ultimate of merit and virtue.

Without knowing the ultimate of merit and virtue,

one can then govern a country.

Once a country has a king,

it can then maintain long-term stability and peace.

This is called deeply rooted and firmly planted.

It is the law of longevity and enduringness.

LESSON TWENTY FOUR PREVAILING DAO

When everyone in the world cultivates Dao,

horses stroll leaving piles of dung.

When everyone in the world does not cultivate Dao,

war-horses are everywhere in the countryside.

Scourges are all caused by discontentment.

Stinginess is mainly due to the desire of self-possession.

A person with self-awareness

always lives in a state of contentment.

LESSON TWENTY FIVE WHICH INTIMATING

Fame and body, which one is more intimate?

Body and wealth, which one is more important?

Possession and loss, which is worse?

Therefore, the deeper you indulge, the more you will lose.

The more you want to store up, the more you will lose in the end.

It is not a shame for a person to know contentment.

Moderation without overdoing

can lead to long enduringness.

LESSON TWENTY SIX INTO DEATH

Enter the battlefields at the risk of life.

Those who can survive comprise three-tenths.

Those who fall in battle comprise three-tenths.

Since one’s birth,

joining a riot exposes oneself to mortal danger.

Such people comprise another three-tenths also.

Why is this so?

It is because he takes his life too seriously since born.

We always hear about those who master how to nourish life.

When travelling in the continent, he will not encounter rhinoceros and fierce tiger.

When he is engaged in the army, he will not be harmed by the weapons.

The rhinoceros finds no place to thrust its horn.

The fierce tiger finds no place to grip its claws.

The army soldier finds no place to brandish sword and thrust spear.

Why is this so?

It is because there is no place to send him to death.

LESSON TWENTY SEVEN HARD TO GOVERN

Why people suffer from starvation

is because they have to pay miscellaneous taxes too heavily.

Thus, people starve.

Why people are hard to govern

is because the ruler forces them to do things that they are unwilling to do.

Thus, there is no means to govern.

Why people do not value death seriously

is because the rulers over-value their own survival.

Thus, people do not value death.

Only through not over valuing your own life,

is the best way to cherish life.

LESSON TWENTY EIGHT NOT BENEVOLENT

When Heaven and Earth apply adverse impacts,

they wreak havoc on myriad of lives.

When the sage does not apply benevolent actions,

he wreaks havoc on ordinary people.

The air between Heaven and Earth,

seems the same as that inside bellows.

Static yet unyielding.

The faster the bellows is operated, the more air is emitted.

Too much talking leads to exhaustion of principles.

It is rather better to keep moderate.

LESSON TWENTY NINE TRUSTWORTHY WORDS

Trustworthy words are not pleasing.

Pleasing words shall not be trusted readily.

The well-doer does not over explain when dealing with matters.

A person, who only shirks responsibility to objective reasons when making a mistake, is not a well-doer.

A person, who appears to know everything, actually has very limited knowledge.

A person, who always self-claims to know little, actually has vast amount of knowledge.

A sage does not keep knowledge to himself.

He transfers all his knowledge to others.

Thus, his knowledge becomes more and more.

He teaches his knowledge to others.

Thus, his knowledge is getting richer and richer.

The Great Dao in the Heaven,

only benefits people without imposing any harm.

The Dao of sage,

is to conduct only good deeds without conflicting with people.

LESSON THIRTY KING OF VALLEYS

The reason that rivers and oceans can be the king of hundreds of valley streams,

is because it is located at the lowest position.

Therefore, it can be the king of hundreds of river valleys.

Thus, if you want to be a respectable person,

you must speak politely.

If you want to be an outstanding person,

you must not contend for advantage on every single matter.

Therefore, although the sage

holds a high position, people do not have heavy burden.

He stands up to confront (calamities) while people are protected from suffering.

Hence, the people in the whole world vote for him wholeheartedly.

He never contends with anyone.

Therefore, nobody in the world can be comparably as noble as him.

LESSON THIRTY ONE KINDEST

The kindest is no other than water.

The reason why water is kind is because it benefits the growth of myriads of lives without contending for credit.

It reaches the places where people are not willing to go.

Therefore, it is closest to the Great Dao.

Stay at places that other people do not visit.

Keep deep calm with ease of mind.

Always show compassion towards others.

His words are trustworthy.

He is a person of integrity, amiableness and affability.

Handle matters with strong ability.

Start off with astute choice of right timing as well.

Uniquely, he does not contend with people.

Thus, he is free from worries and anxiety.

LESSON THIRTY TWO ENDURING HEAVEN

Both Heaven and Earth are enduring and everlasting.

Why can Heaven and Earth be enduring?

It is because they do not emerge of themselves and perish of themselves.

Thus, they can be enduring.

Therefore, although the sage places his self-interests behind those of the people, in the end he surpasses them.

Although he leaves himself out of consideration, ultimately he can survive.

It must be due to his selflessness.

Thus, his self-interests can be fulfilled.

LESSON THIRTY THREE BRAVENESS

Those who are brave in doing evil deeds shall be executed.

Those who are brave in doing good deeds shall stay alive.

Among these two types of persons,

how to differentiate who is the good and who is bad?

Heaven knows their sins naturally.

Who knows the underlying reasons?

This is difficult to achieve even for the sage.

This is the Great Dao in the world.

Win over without contending.

Able to respond to anything without speaking out.

The person will automatically come over without summoning him.

Naturally able to know how to plan and manage.

This is similar to the widely cast net of Heaven,

Although it is sparsely meshed, nothing can slip through.

LESSON THIRTY FOUR DAO OF

The Great “Dao” of Heaven (universe),

is similar to a fully stretched bow.

When aiming too high, it needs to be brought down a bit.

When aiming too low, it needs to be raised up a bit.

Those with excess shall share a bit.

Those with insufficiency shall be replenished.

This is the Great “Dao” of Heaven.

It takes from those with excess to replenish those with insufficiency.

The law of human does not follow the same principle.

It takes from those with insufficiency to supply those with excess.

Who is willing to offer the excess to serve the people over the world?

Only those who cultivate Dao.

Thus, the sage

acts without being self-conceited.

He accomplishes successfully but does not claim credit for himself.

For those sages and virtuous persons, they do not have many desires.

LESSON THIRTY FIVE IN SURPLUS

Maintain in surplus.

It is pretty good already.

Feel happy after calculating in mind.

Such a condition cannot be maintained over a long period.

Too much gold and jade,

cannot be possibly secured.

Becoming arrogant after getting rich and obtaining high status,

brings trouble to oneself on his own course.

One shall retreat after great success.

This is the Dao of Heaven.

LESSON THIRTY SIX TAI SHANG (THE HIGHEST)

Taishang Laojun – the Highest Supreme Lord.

He knows everything under Heaven.

Then,

comfort in person.

The second time,

some people are a bit scared.

The third time,

others insult him.

Lack of trust between each other

is due to insufficient trust.

He is concerned about certain assertions.

It is highly satisfactory to achieve the perfection of Dao cultivation.

People comment that I am very approachable.

LESSON THIRTY SEVEN BEING GREAT

Can the Great “Dao” flow continuously like the Si Shui River?

The growth of myriads of lives relies upon it yet it does not decline.

Accomplish successfully without claiming credit.

He does not dominate even though the nourishing and cherishing of myriads of lives rely on it.

Always keep no selfish personal desires.

Yet treat fame as insignificant.

Unwilling to be the master even though myriads of lives pledge allegiance to it.

But significant fame is widely spread.

He is never self-conceited from the beginning to the end.

Thus, he can become the greatest.

LESSON THIRTY EIGHT NOT STANDING

A lame person cannot stand up.

Striding is not considered as walking.

It is not wise to fancy oneself as smart.

It is actually muddled to believe that oneself is infallible.

It is not meritorious to cut down (the tree) without permission.

It will not be lasting to be self-conceited.

It is mainly for the cultivation of the Great Dao.

This is called difficulty to walk around after eating excess food.

This situation is very disgusting.

Hence, a person mastering the Dao will not do so.

LESSON THIRTY NINE BY FORCE

The intention to seize the world by force

shall not work out in my view.

The will of the world

is surely irresistible.

The resistance to it shall lead to failure.

The obstinate person will lose it.

Thus, make a decision to accept or reject any particular thing.

Either go for recreation or enjoy the breeze of the wind.

Either contend for prevailing over others or fight to win.

Either fail or collapse after failure.

Thus, the sage discards overdoing.

Discard the extravagance.

Discard the excessive.

LESSON FORTY EMBRACING ONE

Following a curvilinear path can lead back to the original point.

Leveraging on a marking gauge can facilitate in drawing a straight line.

Depressing the ground can fully collect water.

Either continue using the battered, or have to use the new.

The less can make oneself gain.

On the contrary, the more causes confusions.

Thus, the sage only embraces one.

He sets up this as the learning model for the people in the world.

He, who does not fancy himself as smart, is an enlightened person.

He, who does not believe himself as infallible, is a wise person.

It is therefore meritorious for you to handle matters with granted permission from others.

He who is not self-conceited can be elected as a leader.

The uniqueness is not to contend with people.

Thus, anyone in the world cannot triumph over him.

As mentioned by the ancients, there were people who compromised out of consideration for the general interest,

This is not a false statement.

All were truly real.

LESSON FORTY ONE LAW OF MATTER

Every deed shall follow Wu Wei (no subjective action).

Manage any matter nonchalantly without complete planning them in mind.

Taste any food without appreciating much of the flavour.

Regardless of whether a matter is small or big, more or less,

one shall treat it all with virtue.

Shuffle off difficulty and seek ease.

Only act on big matters yet unwilling to act on small tasks.

But the difficult tasks in the world

must start with easy ones.

The great achievements in the world

must start with small matters.

Hence, the sage

will never act on big matters from the beginning to the end.

Thus, he can accomplish great achievements.

Those who make promises thoughtlessly cannot be trusted easily.

Underestimating the complexity of matters shall result in more difficulties once one starts to implement.

Thus, the sage treats matters with awareness as if more difficulties lie ahead.

Eventually, he ends up without many difficulties.

LESSON FORTY TWO NO BOAST

Do not boast even if you know.

This is the best.

Insisting that you know even if you do not know.

This is actually an illness.

Only when one realizes that this is an illness,

can he becomes immune to it.

The reason why the sage does not have such an illness

is because he knows that boasting is an illness.

Thus, he never develops it.

LESSON FORTY THREE EASY PERSEVERANCE

It is easy to persevere during a stable period.

It is easy to plan ahead before things happen.

Brittle things break easily.

Tiny things are lost easily.

One shall anticipate the development of a matter before it becomes serious.

Take action before it gets out of hand.

Huge trees over several arm spans,

all grow up from tiny sprouts.

Nine-story high terraces

are built from heaps of earth.

People, travelling journeys of a thousand miles,

all reach destinations through step by step walking.

One, who does not follow this principle accordingly, shall fail.

The obstinate one shall lose his chance also.

Therefore, the sage

does not handle any matter forcibly. Hence, he will not fail.

He is not obstinate in any matter. Hence, he will not suffer any loss.

People, when pursuing any undertaking,

often fail when they nearly succeed.

Handle as seriously when approaching the end as in the beginning.

Hence, they will not fail.

Therefore, the sage’s desire is to be desireless.

Do not value those goods that are difficult to obtain.

Learning starts from rudiments.

Redeem all of our faults.

Assist myriads of lives to develop naturally.

He does not claim any credit for himself.

LESSON FORTY FOUR THE GOVERNOR

When the governor feels gloomy,

people drink till they are completely drunk.

When the governor constantly inspects,

people are always absent from the beginning to the end.

Good fortune also lies within the bad.

Bad fortune also lurks within the good.

Who knows its ultimate?

There is no exact answer.

Over rectification turns into unusuality.

Over kindness turns into vice.

People have been confused

since long time ago.

Therefore, the sage

abides by the principles firmly.

What is cheap is not good.

He is upright but does not equivocate.

He is honourable but not dazzling.

LESSON FORTY FIVE KNOWING BEAUTY

When everyone knows what is beautiful,

vices would have been prevailing then.

When everyone knows what is kind,

the compassion has been lost for a long time.

Thus, being and non-being give birth to each other.

Difficulty and easiness define each other.

Long and short lengths are results of comparison.

High and low positions are results of sloping.

Sound and tone harmonize each other.

Front and back follow each other.

Thus, the sage handles all matters following Wu Wei (no subjective action).

Enlighten people by demonstrating by himself.

Nourish the growth of all lives tirelessly and diligently.

He does not claim for his own credit after the vitality of all lives.

Act without being self-conceited.

Succeed without holding on to the merit.

Only when he does not claim credit for himself,

therefore, he shall not lose it.

LESSON FORTY SIX BEING SOFT

The new-born baby is soft and pliable.

After he dies, the body becomes very hard and stiff.

During the period when all the plants and grasses grow, they are pliable.

When they are dead, they become shrivelled and yellow.

Therefore, being hard and rigid shall approach to death.

Being soft and pliable shall lead to growth.

Hence, a strong army with rigid force will be defeated in a battle.

A strong grown-up tree will be cut down for utensils.

The strong will start to go downhill.

The soft and pliable will start an upward trend.

LESSON FORTY SEVEN AS WATER

Nothing in the world is as soft and meek as water.

Use it to conquer the strongest and hardest.

Nothing cannot be defeated.

No other object can substitute it.

The soft can overcome the strong.

The meek can defeat the hard.

Everyone in the world knows about it.

But none can do so.

Therefore, once the sage is appointed as the delegate of the nation,

he is the monarch of the country.

Although the country that he is entrusted with is not strong,

he is indeed the master of the world.

The seemingly truthful words are actually wrong.

LESSON FORTY EIGHT THE SOFTEST

The softest thing in the universe

can gallop in between the hardest ones.

It is invisible when going out.

It is also not touchable when entering in.

The reason why I know the benefits of Wu Wei (no subjective action)

is not through verbal illustration.

The benefits of Wu Wei

are rarely observed in the world.

LESSON FORTY NINE CONTAINING VIRTUE

One, containing virtue in abundance

is similar to a child with a pure and innocent heart .

Hence, poisonous wasps or snakes cannot harm him.

He is not scared of fierce beasts.

No vultures can pounce upon him.

His physique is soft and pliable, as well as not immobile.

If there is no collaboration between Yin and Yang, nothing will be created.

Therein lies the essence.

Roaring whole day while keeping speechless.

This is the sign of peace.

Knowing peace is called elementariness.

Those who know the elementary knowledge are enlightened persons.

What is beneficial to lives is called auspiciousness.

Raising Qi from the heart is called firmness.

Anything that reaches its prime will start to decline.

This is contrary to Dao.

This kind of contrary to Dao has been existing since long ago.

LESSON FIFTY BREATHING IN

Before breathing in,

one must strengthen lung capacity.

To turn oneself into the weak,

one must be strong and vigorous.

Matters that are supposed to be abandoned

must prosper and be manifested first.

In order to gain something in particular,

one must devote his heart to it first.

This is called subtle enlightenment.

The soft and meek shall overcome the strong and hard.

Fish cannot be separated from water.

Weapons possessed by a country cannot be shown to the people.

LESSON FIFTY ONE GREAT ACHIEVEMENT

If one opens an aperture in great achievement,

He does not need to practise fraud when using it.

After one breaks through the great image,

its use will never be exhausted.

This is similar to bending the straightest thing and

turning the most exquisite thing into the clumsiness.

Great quarrel becomes yell.

Irritability conquers calmness.

Tranquillity overcomes scream.

Hence, tranquillity will guide the people in the world to follow the righteous Dao.

LESSON FIFTY TWO BEST MILITARY

The best military

is an inauspicious thing.

Everything is disgusted with it.

Hence, a Dao cultivator will not adopt it.

The position of a gentleman with virtue is placed on the left.

The position of a military general is placed on the right.

Military soldiers

are inauspicious persons.

They do not deserve to be gentlemen with virtue.

They are only used as a last resort.

It is better to depreciate it.

Even winning a battle is not something pleasant.

Its pleasure

is just to enjoy killing people.

Those who enjoy killing people

shall not win over the world.

Auspicious matter is on the left.

Doomful matter is on the right.

The lieutenant general takes the place of the left.

The commander-in-chief takes the place of the right.

This indicates to treat him using obsequies.

Since he kills too many people,

mourn for him with sorrow.

LESSON FIFTY THREE LARGE COUNTRY

A large country shall position itself in downstream.

The males in the world

mate with the females in the world.

The male usually keeps tranquil to win over the female.

Regard tranquillity as a means to keep in a lowly position.

Thus, the large country occupies a small country,

it can then gain the small country.

The small country subordinates to the large country,

it can then receive favour from the large country.

Therefore, to take a lowly position can gain or

to subordinate from below can also receive benefit.

The large country simply intends to treat people as slaves after the annexation.

The small country simply wishes its people to be treated as people.

For the two,

each individual’s own desire can be satisfied.

It is the best for the large country to stay in a lowly position.

LESSON FIFTY FOUR NOT COMBATIVE

A good soldier is not combative.

A skillful war fighter does not kill unjustly.

One who is good at defeating the enemy does not take head-on confrontation.

One who is good at selecting the right people knows how to stay in lowly position.

This is called the virtue of not contending.

This is also the appropriate use of people.

This is called the harmonic collaboration between the Heaven and human.

LESSON FIFTY FIVE MANOEUVRING WARFARE

In manoeuvring warfare, there is a saying:

I shall not launch a preemptive attack, rather mainly take a defensive position.

I dare not attack, which then causes defeat.

This is called to advance must proceed without initial advancement.

To beat you yet find nowhere to raise arms.

To grab you yet cannot detect the location of the army.

To throw weapon yet do not know where is the enemy.

The greatest disaster is no other than to underestimate the enemy.

The underestimation of enemy almost deprives me of the treasure.

Therefore, when two combating armies engage in a battle,

the pessimistic side shall win.

LESSON FIFTY SIX ASSISTING KING

Assist the king by applying the principles of Dao.

Do not coerce the world by force of army.

All matters can be solved.

Wherever troops go,

thorns and brambles grow abundantly.

After a big war,

famine years shall follow.

The well-doer is able to protect himself and survive.

He never forces to seize in handling all the matters.

Do not exaggerate the end result as well.

Finally it shall not attract punitive expedition.

After all, there is nothing to be proud of.

The final consequence is unavoidable.

The conclusion is not to flaunt one’s superiority.

Things that reach their prime shall start to age.

This is called contrary to Dao.

The contrary to Dao has been like this since long ago.

LESSON FIFTY SEVEN ROOT OF LIGHTNESS

The root of lightness is in the heaviness.

If a king does not guard tranquillity, he is then an irritable master.

Thus, the so-called sage

travels the whole day without leaving the cart.

Although he is surrounded by glory and honour and

is feeling extraordinary during the feast,

he can do nothing about the master of ten thousand chariots.

It causes the people over the world despise him.

Despising (tranquillity) shall lose the foundation.

Being irritated shall lose one’s master.

LESSON FIFTY EIGHT NAMELESS

Dao is always nameless.

Although a shrub plant appears very small,

no other things in the world can make it pledge allegiance.

If a monarch can guard tranquillity,

all beings will naturally become your guests of honour.

Heaven and Earth will also be in harmony and

thus, descend sweet dew.

People find no way to command it.

Yet it is so evenly distributed.

Thereafter, it begins with names given.

Since with names,

then the named shall be content without overdoing.

Thus, one shall not stop after knowing the ultimate.

When the Great Dao is disseminated all over the world,

it is similar as valley streams and brooks leading towards the rivers and oceans.

LESSON FIFTY NINE SMALL DISH

Governing a large country is similar to cooking a small dish.

Disseminate Dao all over the world.

Then, people can distinguish between demons and deities.

It is not that demons do not want to be deities.

It is because deities do not harm people.

It is also not right to say that deities do not punish people.

The sage does not harm people as well.

They two do not harm each other either.

Therefore, virtue is rendered to this country.

LESSON SIXTY BORNE IN MIND

What makes me to be borne in mind very seriously is that

it is a must to disseminate the Great Dao.

The only problem is fear when putting into practice.

In the beginning when the Great Dao is disseminated,

people prefer to take the shortcut very much,

even to the extend that they do not cultivate Dao in the morning.

Only dream to dress well.

Swagger triumphantly by carrying a sharp sword.

Refuse to eat if food is slightly less satisfactory.

Possess money and goods with surplus.

This is called to show off like a robber.

To show off like a robber is not the cultivation of Dao.

LESSON SIXTY ONE COMMON VIRTUE

Knowing that the male

holds on to the female.

This is the nature in the world.

This kind of nature

is a common virtue between male and female.

After all, it is for the sake of breeding future generations.

Knowing that the white colour

surrounds the black colour.

This is a type of pattern in the world.

This kind of pattern

is an indivisible virtue.

Eventually, they merge into one colour.

Knowing that the prosperity

preserves the shame.

This is the grain in the world.

The grain in the world

is a kind of abundant virtue.

Eventually, it is ascribed to frugality.

Disseminate the habit of frugality.

The sage adopts it.

Thus, he cultivates energy.

Therefore, even the largest institutional system cannot separate it.

LESSON SIXTY TWO CREATION OF ONE

Dao creates One (Wu Ji).

One creates Two (Liang Yi: Yin and Yang).

Two creates Three (San Cai: Heaven, Earth and Human).

In consequence of Three, all beings are created.

All beings are created from Yin and Yang,

and are harmonized by Qi punching Yin and Yang.

What people dislike most

are solitude, widowhood, illness and death.

But the monarch uses it as his address.

For certain things, suffering must precede receiving benefits.

Some receive benefits first and then suffer later.

People ought to receive such education.

I also need to receive education.

Robbers shall die of an unnatural death.

I will be their godfather.

LESSON SIXTY THREE COMPOUNDED CREATION

There is some compounded object.

It exists before the creation of Heaven and Earth.

It stays alone.

It revolves itself yet not altering.

It rotates again and again yet not stopping.

It can be regarded as the mother of all things and all beings in the world.

I do not know its name.

I name it as Dao.

Barely name it as the Great.

The Great can also be called as the Disappearing.

Or it may be described as far-reaching.

It still returns to the original from infinite distance.

Therefore, it is said that Dao is very large,

as large as the Heaven.

It is larger than the Earth.

The monarch is also very large.

Within this domain, there are four kinds of largeness.

The monarch is counted as one of them.

Human emulates the Earth.

The Earth emulates the law of the Heaven.

The Heaven obeys the Great Dao.

The Great Dao emulates spontaneity itself.

LESSON SIXTY FOUR THE REVERSE

The reverse side of any matter

follows the law of the Great Dao to move.

Any gentle and weak matter

is the application of the Great Dao.

All things and all beings in the world are created from being.

Being is created from nothingness.

LESSON SIXTY FIVE VIRTUE INSIDE HOLE

Virtue contained inside the tiny holes

is achievable only by the Great Dao.

What kind of object is Dao?

It is vast and hazy.

Suddenly, within the vast and hazy,

one sees a portrait.

Hazily and vastly,

there seems to exist something.

Mistily and foggily,

one sees the essence Qi.

The essence Qi is a kind of purified and genuine Qi.

There is a kind of faithful pledge in the essence Qi.

From the past to the present,

its name has never been changed.

This is to convince the masses’ comments.

Why do I know that the masses will comment in such a way?

By means of such understanding.

LESSON SIXTY SIX BREAKING THROUGH DAO

Dao can be put into use once you break through it.

It is never self-conceited.

Its vast knowledge is the root of all things and all beings.

It is not sharp.

It can mitigate disputes.

Harmonize with all kinds of colour light.

Mix with all the dust.

There seems to exist an exquisite image.

I don’t know whose son it is.

It seems to exist before the Yellow Emperor (Huang Di).

LESSON SIXTY SEVEN INVISIBLE

One intends to see it, yet it is invisible.

This is called Yi.

One wants to hear it, yet it is inaudible.

This is called Xi.

One plans to grab it, yet it is intangible.

This is called Wei.

These three situations,

cannot be separated completely.

Therefore, they are conflated together as one.

The upper part is not so bright.

The lower part is not so dark.

There is no way to name it at all.

It returns to the original formlessness.

This is called the form of the formless,

the image of no-being.

This is vast and hazy.

Facing towards it, yet one cannot see its front.

Following at the back, yet one cannot see its rear.

Mastering the original Great Dao,

proves its presence nowadays.

One shall be able to know its ancient history.

This is called the epoch of Dao.

LESSON SIXTY EIGHT THE BEGINNING

There is a beginning of the universe.

This beginning is the mother of the universe.

Since the mother exists,

one can then know her son.

Since having known who the son is,

one can then return to abide by the mother.

Do so without stopping all one’s life.

Cover one’s ears.

Close the door.

Do not always hang around throughout the whole life.

Open the door.

Do one’s housework.

One will never be rescued throughout the whole life.

The observed small luminous spot is called enlightenment (Ming).

To secure the weak part is called to strengthen.

Use its light.

Then, recover one’s brightness.

Remove the sequel resulted during one’s body suffering.

This is to get accustomed to it.

LESSON SIXTY NINE GU SHEN

Gu Shen is immortal.

This is the mysterious Yang Shen.

Where is the gateway for the mysterious Yang Shen?

It is the root of Heaven and Earth, which is continuous, uninterruptable, seemingly existing and seemingly vanishing.

It will never be depleted when using it.

LESSON SEVENTY ONE WHEEL

Thirty spokes form one wheel.

Make an empty hole at the centre of the hub.

Thus, it can be used for a cart.

A pottery made from clay

has empty space in the middle as well.

Thus, it can be used as a pottery.

Make windows to construct a room.

Its middle is empty as well.

Thus, it can be used as a room.

Therefore, those things are beneficial to us.

While the emptiness is most useful to us.

LESSON SEVENTY ONE BEING SUBTLE

A good soldier in ancient times

fought the war in a subtle way and dealt with affairs marvellously.

Normal people do not even recognize.

The only thing that cannot be recognized is that

he can manage to tolerate.

It is similar to crossing a river during winter.

Being hesitate as if fearful of neighbours.

Strictly demand himself to tolerate.

Being approachable during relaxing time as if ice is melting.

Treat people with kindness and sincerity.

He is magnanimous like a valley.

Mingle with soldiers to become turbid.

Who can slowly calm down and turn turbidity into clarity?

Who can slowly move and grow when calming down?

Abide by this kind of Dao.

Remain no big desires.

Only through remaining minimal desires,

one can keep a low profile without being conspicuous.

LESSON SEVENTY TWO EMERGENCE

The reason why Dao emerges

is because of the accumulation of lots of virtue.

The formation of an object

is due to the formation of momentum.

Therefore, none of all things and all beings does not respect Dao and value virtue.

The reason why Dao is respected by people

and virtue is valuable,

is because it is not for the sake of life.

Instead, one shall always stay in a natural state.

Hence, Dao emerges.

Virtue accumulates.

Grow and develop.

One will suffer some harm if one discontinues cultivation.

Follow the life cycle of birth, nourishment, death and burial.

One develops yet does not claim self-possession.

One accomplishes certain things yet does not claim credit for himself.

One makes great achievements in Dao yet does not act self-assertively.

This is called mystical virtue.

LESSON SEVENTY THREE ABSOLUTE SAGE

Absolute sages abandon all harmful knowledge.

People will benefit a hundredfold.

Those with absolute benevolence abandon brotherhood.

People will then resume filial piety and compassion.

Those with absolute skill abandon personal interests.

There shall have no more robbers and thieves.

These three types of people

may not receive advanced education.

Each one of them has his own special skill.

They all have simple and honest quality

with minimal selfishness and few desires.

LESSON SEVENTY FOUR NATURE

Doing more with less talk conforms to the law of nature.

Therefore, a gale cannot blow for the whole morning.

A rainstorm cannot last for the whole day.

Who does those things?

Heaven and Earth.

Even the actions of Heaven and Earth do not last long.

Not to mention human.

Thus, those who cultivate Dao

talk congenially with Dao cultivators.

People with great virtue stay together with virtuous people.

Those unsuccessful people sympathize with those who encounter failures.

Fellow Dao cultivators

can all enjoy the happiness in Dao together.

People with similar virtue

also feel glad when discussing about virtue.

When losers gather together,

they feel glad about failures as well.

They do not trust each other.

There is insufficient trust among them.

LESSON SEVENTY FIVE EASY TO UNDERSTAND

My words are very easy to understand

and also feasible to put into practice.

None of people all over the world does not know about my words.

None of them cannot put into practice.

Talk with distinction between the important and the lesser one.

Handle matters with your own judgement.

The only aspect that people do not know

is the lack of self-awareness.

The less people know me,

the more precious it is to me.

Therefore, the sage has an ordinary appearance while having a beautiful heart inside.

LESSON SEVENTY SIX GREAT RESENTMENT

Combine all the great resentments.

It definitely results in more resentments.

Thus, one will become unwilling to conduct good.

Therefore, the sage does not request for recourse (as he holds the left tally).

In addition, he does not make things difficult for the debtor.

A person with virtue passes the tally to the debtor.

A person without virtue demands complete repayment.

The Dao of Heaven is impersonal.

It always assists those who are kind and virtuous.

LESSON SEVENTY SEVEN ATTAINING THE ONE

There were legends about those who attained the One in the past.

The sky becomes tranquil once attaining the One.

The Earth becomes peaceful once attaining the One.

A deity becomes efficacious once attaining the One.

Grains become abundant once attaining the One.

All things and all beings can develop once attaining the One.

People from all over the world will pledge allegiance once the monarch attains the One.