about lao tzu and the tao te ching

8/11/2019 About Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching

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About Lao Tzuand the Tao Te Ching

People assume that the Tao Te Ching dates out of the 6th century before Christ and also that thewriter is unknown. Lao Tzu namely means The Old Sage and its obvious that it is a collection ofwisdoms passed-on verbally for centuries and written down somewhere in history. Right there lays thetreacherousness of the written word. For it where only the elite, the schooled, the learned, the clergyand the rulers who mastered the script/writing. They have mastered the Tao Te Ching and changedthe contents intentionally, possibly unconscious, so that it suited their objectives. What supposed to bea pearl of clarity, they have consequently made into a complicated and most incomprehensible story tojustify their interests, their status and positions. The bizarre thing is that it are the learned, about whichLao Tzu says they are not wise, who reflect their interpretations of the Tao Te Ching, coloured by theirfollies and so they make up their minds without understanding the true meaning. TraduttoreTraditore, is an old Italian saying, which means that one only can translate a writing correctly, by

understanding the aim of the writer and therefore one must be committing treason to the moral if hedoesnt. That is to say, that everybody who translates a script, translates it through his own point ofview and so adds something to the writing what he thinks the writer must have meant. And becauseeverybodys view is coloured by his or her interests, prejudices and convictions, there are as manypossible translations and interpretations as there are people and none of those translations are able toreflect what Lao Tzu really meant. Its obvious that no scientist dares to read in it that he is a foolhimself, no leader, that he is an upgraded ignorant and no philosopher that he is telling butnonsense/bullshit.

What did Lao Tzu mean with the Tao Te Ching?

In essence Lao Tzu is a ringer. Someone that first asked oneself what he was really doing. He turnedhimself away from the world and as an outsider he suddenly sees that all his fellow men are occupiedby their daydreams. Caught up in their own head-trips they follow leaders, which dont know as well,stuck in many silly traditions and habits, talking about nothing, ruled by fear, not knowing who they are,anxious about everything and nothing. Slaughtering each other, stuck on their possessions, locked upin their houses, villages, citys, states and in labour and day to day routines and last but not least, howthey accept that. He incites them to free themselves from those chains, to stop with the nonsense theyweary themselves with, not to trust flattery from others anymore, not to follow leaders anymore and tojust enjoy life. Men dare to live!

Whats the weak spo t in the Tao Te Ching?

Still the Tao Te Ching is an unfortunate mixture of wisdom-sayings and inadequate descriptions aboutexperiencing reality and the way the Creation comes to expression, in other words about the creatingprocess. And thats exactly what is not to say in words and every attempt to it ends in mysticacabadabra. Wittgenstein writes about that in his Tractatus Logico-philosophicus: What we cannotspeak about we must pass over in silence.

Whats the difference between this version and all others?

Understanding Lao Tzu means: live like Lao Tzu. Live like Lao Tzu means: being escaped from theworld, not having opinions and convictions anymore, having no interests at all and not being tied toanything. Live like Lao Tzu is to believe nothing anymore, realise you cant really know a thing, to haveno point of view anymore, to have nothing to lose and therefore nothing to defend. The consequenceof all this is, that youll consider possessions as totally superfluous and that youll need nothing andnobody anymore. That you dont try to force life to your ways anymore, but instead letting yourself flowon it. Only that opens the gate to unconditional love towards your fellowmen. This version of the Tao


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Te Ching is the result of a same experience. We have carefully removed all contradictions, allcompromises and inconsequences that have defiled this simple, anarchistic and revolutionary wisdom-script during 2500 years. Just like one disposes a diamond from its dust of centuries, so that it cansparkle again in its original shining simplicity.

What use is it to throw everything away and get wise?

Up to now your luck depends on the behaviour of others, compliments and appreciation, achievementsand on possessions. On kids, sex, alcohol and drugs, on the weather, wishes and expectations andthat brings you only short moments of joy and satisfaction. When youve got what you wanted thepleasure is over, and that makes you want more again and again and again and the end is lost.Always youll have to do more. The Tao Te Ching describes the road back, back to oneness andsimplicity, back to contentment, back to yourself, back to what you once were as a child. With everystep in the right direction youll have to do less, until you finally dont have to do a thing anymore, dontwant anything at all, without a thing to lose. Than you will never be afraid again, you will know no painand grief anymore, youll never get sick again, never tensed, never restless, no expectations so nodisappointments anymore. Than you are wise and invulnerable.

Lao TzuTao Teh Ching

I

The Ineffable, about which is spoken of, is not the eternal IneffableA name for the Unnameable, is but a nameThe Unnameable is what makes everything for what it isBy naming things youll divide the IndivisibleOnly one who gives op all his desires can experience the IndivisibleOne who still cherishes desires, will experience only dissensionBoth will see the same reality, but experience it differentlyOne who goes from the false reality into the other,Will pass the narrow gate to the secret of true life

II

When people think `this is beautiful, they must think `that is uglyWhen people say `this is good, than they have to say `that is evilInevitablePeople create a false reality out of the real oneHard and easy are relativeLong and short depend upon each otherHigh and low are determined by a positionSound and voice need one anotherBefore and beyond assume a point of viewThats why a wise man acts without intentionsAnd wont decide for others what to doHell let anything happen as it happens

He wont consider what he does as his own meritAnd just therefore he is praiseworthy


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III

When you praise people for their achievements, people will competeWhen you call things valuable, people will steal

When people flaunt with desirable things, it will make other people restlessTherefore the sage sets himself to the task to empty their headsTo make sure theyre not hungry, discourage their ambitions and strengthen their bodysSo the people will be without anxiety and without the desire for knowledgeAnd the scientists will be played of the fieldWhen people wont labour anymoreAll will live in peace

IV

That what maintains the Creation,Is like an empty barrel thats inexhaustible

It is like a fathomless emptiness, filling the whole CreationIts sharpness brings about curvesIts angles dissolveIt dims its lightIt restrains its touchHow pure and calm it stays, like deep watersI dont know its originIt seems like it is even older than what its brought forth by

V

The Creation does not pretend to be friendly

It treats all things impartialOne who is wise, dont act friendlyAll people are equal to himThe Universe is like bellowsAlthough empty, it fills continuouslyThe harder it works, the more it brings forthThe more you talk about it, the wearier you getTherefore you better stick to what really matters

VI

The spirit of depth never dies

People sometimes call it the Great MotherThe gate trough which she breathes,Is the fundament of CreationIt appears to be everlastingWhen you rely on that, life will be effortless

VII

The Universe is everlastingThe reason why it is everlasting,Is because it doesnt exist for itselfTherefore it can last

Therefore a wise man behaves as leastAnd because he the least, he is the greatest


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He is detached and therefore he is safeCouldnt it be possible that he is perfect,Just because he is disinterested?

VIII

A perfect human being is like the waterThat benefits all things and competes with nothingIt stays in places which others despiseBut in this way it follows its originIn his heart the wise cherish simplicityIn contact with others he is amiableIn his words he is reliableIn his leads he is peacefulIn what he does he is competentHe does everything at the moment it needs to be doneHe wont fightAnd therefore he is impeccable

IX

It is better to carry an empty barrel then a full oneSharpen a knife until it is razor-sharp and it wont last longWhen a house is filled with valuables, it is impossible to guardWhen wealth and ambition makes arrogant, it will lead to the fallWhen fame and success menace you, pull backThats the only road to true bliss

X

Can you empty your head and lastingly lose yourself in the Creation?Can you live up to your nature and become like a child?Can you purify the doors of perception and see clear again?Can you love your fellow man and serve mankind disinterested?Can you go in and out of the narrow gate without any effort?Can you be in the world without being possessed by it?Can you realise that you cant know anything and therefore understand everything?Nature brings forth everything en feeds everythingShe brings forth and possesses nothingShe does everything disinterested and asks for nothingShe leads but demands nothingThat is what people call the unfathomable of Nature

XI

Thirty spokes unite in the naveBut the wheel is only useful because of the cavity in the naveClay is kneaded into vasesBut the utility is determined by the cavityDuring building a house they leave blank spots in the wall for doors and windowsBut the utility of the house depends on the cavity insideTherefore is, that what exists, usefulBut the cavity makes it possible


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XII

All those artificial colours blind peoples eyesAll that made-music deafens the earsAll those various flavours dull the tasteHorse races and hunting drive people crazy

The desire for scare goodsHinders people to go on the straigth and simple pathTherefore the wise finds his satisfactionIn feeding himself and he wont exhaust his eyesTherefore he does this and leaves that

XIII

Watch for gratitude and criticismHonour and misfortune are as disastrous as having a characterWhat does that say?Watch for gratitude and criticism?

Watch for gratitude, because it originates in submissionWatch for criticism, because it comes from superior powerTherefore, watch for gratitude and criticismWhat does it mean that honour and misfortune are as bad as having a character?Disasters come over us because weve got something to loseIf we had nothing to lose, which disasters could still strike us?Therefore: to him who considers oneself just as worthy as the world,Mankind can entrust the worldAnd to him who loves oneself and the world just as unconditional,Mankind can entrust the care for the world

XIV

We look at it but we do not see it and we call it the invisibleWe listen to it but dont hear it and we call it the inaudibleWe grope to it but never touch it and we call it the untouchableThe invisible, the inaudible and the untouchable come together in oneThere is no light when it risesThere is no darkness when it descentsContinuously, constantly, but its not to put in wordsAnd it returns to nothingThis is what they call the form of the formless, the image of the invisiblePeople call it indefinite and impalpableYou wont see it from the frontYou wont see it from behind

One who lives after the original conscience, lives in the presentAnd understands everything that has ever beenThat is living according to nature

XV

The wise of old were profound and acutePeople thought of them as unfathomableBecause they where unfathomable Ill try to sketch their way of living:They seemed cautious, like people who cross a wintry riverThey seemed irresolute as if danger was threatening everywhereThey seemed dignified as if they where guests

They seemed natural like raw woodThey seemed empty like a valley


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They seemed opaque like muddy waterHow can one make muddy water clear?Stagnation will settle the mud down and the water will become clearLet everything happen as it happens and you will come to restThe head of the wise is empty, he does not search for anything and expects nothingHe is empty, everlasting youthful and not caught in time

He is perfect

XVI

One who has an empty head is satisfied, One who is satisfied has an empty headAll creatures exert and come to restAll plants grow to maturity and come to restThat final rest is whats called being done, completionReturn to nature is whats called eternal lifeLiving in the present is called being enlightenedOne who is not enlightened lives in confusion and miseryOne who lives according to his nature understands everything and is forbearing

One who is forbearing, is righteousOne who is righteous, is royalOne who is royal, is divineOne who is divine, knows oneselfOne who knows oneself has eternal lifeOne who has eternal life, is not afraid to die

XVII

Of wise of old, people only knew that they existedLater on they loved them and admired themThereafter they got scared of them

And finally the wise where seen as despicableOne who cant trust oneself, cant trust anotherHow cautious were the first with their wordsThey proceeded so cautious that when they where doneThe people thought they did it themselves

XVIII

When people deviate from their natureFriendliness and righteousness became meritsKnowledge and cleverness came in to use and the lie started to ruleRelatives got in conflict with each other and loving became a duty

Cause when mankind and families are getting confusedAllegiance becomes an order

XIX

Dispose yourself of worldly knowledge and clevernessAnd it will only be good for mankindStop pretending to be nice and fair, but be itThan people will love each other unconditionalDispose yourself of the work of your hands and stop serving your self-interestAnd there will be no thieves or robbers any moreBut these three things wont be enough

What its really about is turning back to simplicityGiving up your selfishness and not wishing for anything


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XX

When you unlearn what you have learned, you will be free from worriesWeve learned that there is but little difference between yes and yes, but

That there is a big difference between good and evilThat we have to be scared of what others are scared ofWhat an endless pack of bullshitEverybody is restless and excited like they are watching a soccer gameOnly I am at rest and unwound and I dont have to and like a child, want nothingI dont attach to anything and dont have to go anywhere necessarilyThe others already got so much and still they want moreOnly I seem to have lost everythingThey think Im crazy and confusedPeople seem to be bright and cleverAnd think that I am a naive and foolishIt looks like I blow with all winds and dont seem to find rest anywhereThe others seem to know so much

And in their eyes I am nothing but a boorI only am different, because I live according to my nature

XXI

A righteous and blissfully life is approachable only when you follow your conscienceThe conscience is invisible and impalpable. How can you follow it?It speaks through images, like shadows in the darkBut how faint and obscureThe conscience is hidden but it carries the essentials of every thing insideTrue life force shelters inside conscienceEverything people know deeply inside its stowed within the conscience

It has always been there since the beginning, in many different namesThe conscience separates truth from lieHow do I know all this?My conscience has told me that

XXII

Dissension becomes unityThe impure becomes pureThe voids shall be filledThe old becomes newOne who has nothing, receives everything

One who has a lot, receives nothingOne who is wise cherishes simplicity and in this way he is an example for the worldHe is modest and therefore he excelsHe doesnt have to prove himself and thats why people trust his wordsHe has nothing to defend and therefore he is invulnerableSo the aphorism of the wise of old The imperfect becomes perfect is trueThe perfect considers the world as his home

XXIII

One who knows oneself doesnt need a lot of wordsA whirlwind doesnt last all morning

A shower doesnt last a whole dayWhere do wind and rain come from?


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They sprout from natureIf nature doesnt endure its rains and stormsThen why should a human being have to talk so much?So he One who follows his conscience, coincides with his conscienceOne who lives exemplary will be an exampleOne who loses oneself, doesnt know who he is anymore

One who finds oneself, finds blissOne who loses oneself, loses true lifeOne who does not trust oneself, will not be trusted

XXIV

One who stands on tiptoe, doesnt stand firmlyOne who walks in a forced way, doesnt come farOne who is vain, doesnt shineOne who justifies oneself, isnt crediblyOne who brags, will be unmaskedOne who works ones way up, humiliates oneself

To a wise man these are nothing but folliesOne who lives righteous and honest, refrains oneself from that

XXV

Before Creation revealed itselfThere already was something, perfect but formlessQuiet and unchangingUbiquitous and inexhaustiblePeople might consider it as the creating force of everything that isI cannot describe it, but I just call it TaoIf I have to interpret it still, I would name it The Universe

With that Universe I mean that what extends itself everywhereThe infinitely extending and returningTherefore the creative is great and the creation great and so is a wise manSo there is a trinity of greatnesses and one of them is the true human beingA true human being follows his nature, nature and all its eternally unchanging lawsThe laws of nature are the eternal order of the UniverseThe order of the Universe is well-founded by the Unnameable

XXVI

Heavy is the source of whats lightThe unmoved mover is the origin of all movement

Therefore a true human being can be in motion all dayNot because it is him moving himselfBut because he just floats on lifeLike a spectator he enjoys the wonderful and sparkling creationWhy should he, as the centre of the world,Consider him minor to that world?One who knows his grandeur, comes loose of the worldOne who wanders restless in that world, has lost oneself

XXVII

A true traveller never takes a beaten road

A true speaker has an answer on every questionA true researcher has solved all problems


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A waterproof story needs no confirmationNobody can refute a waterproof storyOne who sees how perfect everything is connected with everythingNeeds no theories or opinions, and no one can bring him to doubtThats why a true human being is a teacher for othersAnd he loves his fellow men unconditional

Therefore he is the shepherd of the whole creationAnd respects every thing that lives and growsPeople call this: The light that has become humanTherefore a true human being is a mirror for the untrueAnd its his task to point out their imperfectionsOne who is scared to take a look at oneself and does not love oneselfMight know a lot of things, but he is blindIt seems ought, but its true

XXVIII

One who knows his strength and yet stays mild, is the least

Who is the least, is balanced like the open-minded child he once wasOne who has fathomed the lie is an example for the worldOne who became human again is an example for the worldOne knowing oneself, is a knowing among the ignorantOne who has returned to his original purity, realises his grandeurOne who has abandoned his origin, becomes civilisedTo the wise man they act like actors

XXIX

One who thinks he is capable of improving the Creation, will not succeedThe Creation is perfect and cannot be corrected

One who intervenes in nature, will only destroy natureOne who tries controlling nature, will loose to natureBecause everything is what it is and everything happens as it happensAt times it is warm and than it is coldAt times there are storms and than its calmThere is growth and than there is lying downA wise man lets himself flow along on the streams of life

XXX

One who advocates a righteous world, uses no violenceBecause One who uses violence, provokes violence

And where discord rules there is chaosAnd after times of conflict lean years will followThe righteous one does what he can and forces nothingIs not proud about what he achievesDoes not brags about what he achievesDoes not boast about what he achievesHe only does what he does because thats all he canAnd never he uses power or violenceCivilisations which have reached their peaksUsher in their decaysCivilisations are unnaturalAnd whats unnatural, will perish


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XXXI

How ingenious weaponry may seem to be, it will always be disastrous rubbishEverybody hates itA righteous saves himself from that

While a true man will not soil his hands with thatA fighter grabs for itWeapons are no good for meek peopleThey bring nothing but troubleOne who is wise will never ever use a weaponBecause peace and quietness are more precious to himHe doesnt enjoy victoryBecause one who enjoys victoryEnjoys fellowmen getting killedAnd one who enjoys fellowmen getting killedWill never find peace in oneselfProsperity is considered as a personal meritMisfortune on the other hand is considered as an ironic freak

Victory as merit of menAnd defeat the blame of the commanderBut victory and defeat only brings losers

XXXII

The Unspeakable is eternal and not to say in wordsJust like a rough piece of wood, its not useful for anyoneIf leaders were an example of true livingEveryone would join to his true nature at the same timeThe heavens would dew and the clouds rain justiceAnd without human intervening

That all together would benefit every single thing that lives beneath the firmamentBut when discord is bornEverything must have a nameKeep in mind that when everything has got a name,Youll have to stop thatBecause one who stops that will bounce off dangerCompared to the twisted tributaries of mistakeThe straight and simple road is like a powerful stream

XXXIII

One who sees trough the other is clever

One knowing oneself is wiseOne who conquers the other is powerfulOne conquering oneself is inviolableOne who is satisfied is richOne that wants a lot is busy whole the timeOne who stays oneself, is out of one pieceOne who dies befre dying, lives in the present forever

XXXIV

That what makes everything exist, is present everywhereIt spreads itself throughout the entire Creation

Everything owes its existence to It, everything to its own natureIt gives everything for nothing


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It cherishes and guards everything and everyone, but expects nothing in returnBecause It does not wish for anything, It seems to be importantIt makes everything appear and disappear againBut Itself is eternalTherefore the one who is wise is modestAnd because he is modest,

His actions are grand

XXXV

For one who beholds the perfect arrangement of thingsEverything falls on its right placeNothing can harm him and rest and peace will fall to himAlong the way there are travellers who yield for music and feastsBecause the road to self-knowledge is acrid and unpleasantNot pleasant to facePainful to hearBut giving a inexhaustible strength

XXXVI

Only whats stretched-out can be pulled togetherOnly whats fortified can be weakenedOnly whats increased can be decreasedOnly one who has, can loseThat must be clearSoft overcomes hardWeak overcomes strongFishes belong in the waterWeapons have to be destroyed

XXXVII

The Eternal Creating does nothingAnd yet it does everythingIf leaders would give in to itThe aspect of the world would change of itselfBut since the people got so much to wish forI only can be an exampleThe example of true simplicityAnd when the people will follow meThe whole world will be in peace

XXXVIII

True virtues are not from this world,Therefore it are true virtuesThe so called virtues in this worldServe only self-interestTherefore those are not true virtuesOne who only serves the general interest, is truthfully adequateOne who is called charitable in this world,Expects thankfulness in returnOne who is called honest in this world,

Has a hidden agendaThose who have been adapted to this world


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Demands that others do the sameAnd if not they will threaten you and get angryTherefore, when the people stray from the straight and simple roadThn people start to act virtuously, but they are not virtuousThey pretend to be honest, but they are not fairThey act decently, but they are not decent

Civilisation is just a thin crust across unfaithfulness and dishonestyIt is also the source of disorder and chaosA wise man never hides behind a maskHe trusts on whats inside of him, not on appearancesTherefore he rejects appearance and embraces the essence

XXXIX

About the men of old that had reached perfectionWe know that they felt one with the whole creationThat they saw the earth not as chaos but as a unityThat they felt like gods and spiritual beings

That emptiness was no longer empty, but filledAnd they saw that the whole creation was inspiredThanks to their wholeness the world returned to its original orderFor one who doesnt see clear, the creation is splinteredFor one who placed oneself outside nature, the earth is chaosOne who doesnt experience oneself as divine anymore, feels powerlessOne who does not experience ones perfection anymore, feels emptyPeople who deny their true nature, go to rack and ruinTherefore they say:Humility is the source of truthfulnessSmallness the source of grandeurOne who feels elevated over ones fellowmenIsnt right, is unworthy and small

After all they climbed up high over other peoples backsTherefore their richness is povertyAnd their gold just tinsel

XL

One who deviates from the right and simple roadWill be pulled towards it againThis occurs with a mild touchThe whole creation comes to existenceThe existing out of the unnameable unexisting

XLI

When the most sincere hear about the road to self-knowledge,They will devote to bringing it in practiceWhen the fairly sincere hear about the road to self-knowledgeThey will only get out of it what suites their purposesWhen the hardened hear about the road to self-knowledgeThey will roar with laughterIf they wouldnt roar, it would not be trueTherefore there are some aphorisms about it:The road to light appears to be darkGoing forward sometimes feels like going back

The way to the simple road is a hard way to takeBut also:


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The greatest personality turns out to be vainThe purest white turns out to be greyThe most righteous proves to be unfairKindness seems but a thin layerWith the truth one can go all directionsLike a square circle

Like an inexhaustible barrelLike singing without wordsLike a sculpture with no shadowIn that way the road is hidden and not to capture in wordsOnly the road to self-knowledge has a beginning and an end

XLII

The unspeakable gives birth to oneOne to secondAnd out of the second arises the thirdThe third brings the whole creation to life

Everything is carried by the dark and comes to lightThe breath of Emptiness creates orderPeople hate to be alone, unimportant and uselessAnd yet that is what a true man takes pleasure inOne who becomes smaller, becomes biggerOne who becomes bigger, becomes smallerI only tell what everybody already knows:One who lives complicated, dies complicatedThat is what its all about

XLIII

The most softest is stronger then the very hardestThat what makes everything for what it is, penetrates everythingTherefore I know that its wise to leave and not to do anythingThat one dont need lessons for itThat of all doings, leaving is where true happiness liesIn this world only a few understands that

XLIV

What comes first, life or status?Whats more important to you, yourself or your possessions?Whats worse, having or losing?

One who wants a lot pays a high priceOne who has a lot, has got a lot to loseBut one who is satisfied knows neither fear nor disgraceAnd one who stopped playing a part in the game will never be afraid again and live happily ever after

XLV

Perfection seems unfinished to this worldBut it never perishesFullness is empty to the worldBut its inexhaustibleThat whats correct, is incorrect to the world

Wisdom seems foolish to the worldTelling the truth a disgrace


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Like movement chases away coldnessAnd rest cools downPurity and calmness, showing one the right direction

XLVI

If men lived by their natureHorses would gallop in the open airBut since men got civilisedBattlehorses standing at the frontierThere is no bigger curse then dissatisfactionNothing more disastrous that being malcontent with lifeNothing more fatal then being eager for possessionOne who knows the peace of satisfaction, is always satisfied

XVLII

Without leaving my house, I understand the whole worldWithout looking outside, I see the perfect orderThe more you know, the less youll understandOne who is wise doesnt need to travelUnderstands without lookingDoes nothing but achieves everything

XLVIII

Gathering knowledge makes life more complicated each timeGathering wisdom makes life easier each timeEach time more and more simply until simplicity is reached

Just by leaving, one man can achieve everythingOne who wants nothing anymore, doesnt feel the need to do a thing and he conquered oneselfOne who wants a lot has to do a lot and is as a slave of oneself

ILA wise man has no opinion at allTherefore he can easily put himself in someone elses positionHe accepts everybody and everything for what it isDespite of any behaviourHe trusts the honest and the unfairAnd naturally they become fair-mindedHe trusts the reliable and the unreliable

And naturally all will become reliableA wise man feels one with all peopleThey are all just as precious to himThey look and listen to himAnd all are as children to him

L

Humans come and goTheir bodies as the seat of lifeTheir bodies as the seat of deathHumans get old and decay

Why is that?Its because they are already dead, but think that theyre living


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There have been told and written about people who had found true lifeAnd wandered around the earthNot afraid of tigers or rhinosOne who avoided weapons and violenceAnd lived in harmony with all creaturesTherefore no creature felt threatened by them

And no weapon could harm themWhy that is?Because they were only livingAnd than there is no room for death

LI

The Unspeakable makes all things appearThe active force determines their natureTheir nature determines their shapesThe circumstances determines their final appearanceTherefore all creatures,With the exception of erring mankind, honour the Unspeakable

And live according to their naturesThis all is a natural processAnd nobody rewards them for itThe Unspeakable makes them live, feeds them, make them growFulfils them, gives them peace, supports and guards themIt makes them live, but never forces themIt takes them along the stream of life, but does not possessIt makes mature, but does not controlThat is an unfathomable mystery

LII

The world sprouts from somethingPeople could call it the mother of the worldWhen one knows that mother, one knows her childOne who becomes like that child again, will know the motherAnd until the end of his life nothing can harm him anymoreHe wont criticise anyone and lets no one influence himAnd his life will be without worriesBut one who condemns others and concerns only his own interestsWill be full of worries the rest of his lifeOne that sees a gleam of light in darkness sees the light at the end of the tunnelHolding on to that gleam of light requires strengthOne who follows that light, turns back to the original lightThen all danger is gone

And youll live the eternal life

LIIIWhen I possess True KnowledgeI would stroll on the right and simple roadI would avoid side pathsBecause the straight road is easy to walkBut most people love the narrow side pathsThe residences of the rich are neat and cleanedBut the fields of the poor are filled with weedAnd their granaries are emptyThe elite wears generous decorated and expensive clothesSharp swords hanging on their waists

They stuff and they swillThey lose themselves in possession and wealth


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They flaunt with stolen gearNow isnt that conscienceless?

LIVOne who is rooted in this unfair world,

Wont be easy to unsettleOne who holds on to that world, cant let goTherefore their children will suffer until the third and fourth generationBut one who follows his conscienceWill lead an impeccable lifeOne who takes care that his fellowmen follow their conscience,Makes them flourishOne who takes care that his neighbours follow their conscience,Makes them examples for everybody elseAnd when all of mankind follows its conscience,It shall be a paradise on earthLook at yourself if you want to understand yourselfDiscover the connections and patterns in the way your nearests,

The citys and the nations get on with each otherBecause whats on a small scale, is on a big scale tooHow do I know it is that way?Because I did it myself

LV

A true human being is like a new-born babyWasps and scorpions wont sting it, snakes and adders wont bite itRaptors and wild animals wont attack itIts bones and muscles are soft and flexible, yet it has a pretty tight gripSex and libido are strange to it, but its little penis already is able to stiffen

That is because its nature is not yet disturbed by thoughtsIt can yell all day without getting a hoarse throatThats because everything is still perfectly in balanceExperiencing that balance is called living in the eternal presentLiving without past or future is called being wiseEvery attempt to extend life is pointlessOne who wants to control his life, restrains oneselfIt is unnatural that things witherThat what is unnatural will come to an early end

LVI

Those who experienced the Mystery dont speak about thatThose who do speak about it have not experienced the MysteryDont try to speak about the UnspeakableThat what cannot be seen, heard, felt or tastedThe shapes fadeThe edges weakenConfusion disappearsThe light bleachesThe unrest extinguishesThats what they call Mystic ExperienceNeither affection nor hate can move himProfit or loss wont touch himHonour or disgrace wont harm him

Therefore he is the worlds noblest man


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LVIIWith laws men rule a stateWith ruses people make warWithout laws and without ruses youll have a peaceful mankindHow do I know this?

Well, because of the following:The more orders and prescriptions, the more defiant the people becomeThe more arming, the bigger the chaosThe more knowledge and science, the more machines and artificialityThe more rules and decisions, the more thieves and robbersTherefore a wise man says:I dont do a thing and the people will change spontaneouslyI like rest and spontaneously the people will become honestI dont make an issue out of anything and the people will find wealth inside themselvesI dont want a thing and the people will return to simplicity

LVIII

The lesser rules and laws, the happier mankindThe more rules and laws, the more dissatisfaction and conflictsSomeones wealth comes at the expense of someone elses povertyMIssery for one is the result of someone elses wealthWhen will this ever stop?One who is wise, is righteous and wont play that gameHe is just and fair and will never hurt anybodyHe shines, but does not blind

LIX

To get mankind to live in peace, it requires a full detachmentBecause only one who is detached knows how to live truthfulLetting go of everything befre dying makes one live righteousOne who lives righteous know no troubleFor one who knows no trouble, life is unboundedOne who is unbounded, considers the world as his homeOne who feels united with the creation, lives happily ever afterThen youll be rooted again and youll stand firmlyOnly like that youll live happily ever after and understand everything

LX

Making sure that mankind lives in peace is a trifleWhere righteousness is the main guide, delusions wont lastNot that there will be no delusions at allBut the people will be less susceptible to itDelusions damages people and a wise man shows them thatTherefore a wise man is a threat to delusion,But no threat for mankindTherefore they will become wise too

LXI

When mankind lives in peace,

There will be no superiors and inferiorsIt is like a big river,


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In which all side currents has come to restThe wild comes to rest in peacefulness,Because it is calm and most lowlyOne who is the least by his disarming simplicity,Is therefore appealing to his fellowmenAnd so its a benefit for both of them

So one who looks big, has to become small again

LXII

Everything inclines towards the original balanceIts the bliss of true menIts a sanctuary for the untruthfullyBut people flaunt with flatteryThey only do nice in exchange for gratitudeEverybody does that so why shouldnt you?Therefore the people shout with joy when a new leader comes to the sceneAnd let themselves be fooled by pomp and circumstance

Its wise not to participate in thatDo you know why the former wise considered simplicity so important?Because they experienced that one who seeks will findAnd that the truth sets one free from past and futureTherefore simplicity is most important in this life

LXIII

Act without intentionsStop labouringJust enjoy lifeOne who doesnt honour something small

Isnt worthy something bigNo more eye for an eye and a tooth for a toothTurn them your other cheekDiscover that, that what seems complicated is in fact very simpleSee the grandeur in what seems insignificantDont turn simplicity into complexityLiving pure is simpleBut the people made it complicatedSo one whos wise will never make any troubleAnd therefore he can move mountainsOne who promises a lot is hardly ever trustedOne with a lot of blinkers on will come to pass lots of troublesBut one who is wise looks before he leaps

Therefore he wont start at allAnd because of that he knows no trouble

LXIV

Peace is easy to keepWhat might happen, is easy to preventThat whats fragile, is easy to breakWhats still very small, can be chased away easilyA big tree starts with a small seedA terrace-yard started with a mound of earthA thousand-mile-journey starts with a single step

One who disturbs the natural order, harms oneselfOne who intervenes loses oneself


19/23

A wise man abstains far from thatTherefore he wont hurt himself and so he remains himselfBut people break down everything and they call it progressOnce started, the end is too far to grope???A wise man strives for what others dont strive forAnd takes for important what others takes for unimportant

He unlearns what other are still learningAnd turns back to a mindstate others have leftThen he knows the way back to the sourceBut realises that the people do not want to hear about it

LXV

The former sages, who travelled along the straight and simple pathBrought the people wisdom instead of knowledgeWhen people know so much, unity is impossible to keepThats why science disturbs the togetherness of menAnd wisdom guards that togetherness

One who understands thisUnderstands that wisdom and knowledge are in conflict with each otherOnce youll understand this, youll be wiseAnd you will turn back to simplicityAnd feel one with everything and everybody

LXVI

Why are the seas and rivers the biggest among all waters?Because they are located on the lowest placesTherefore they are the biggestSo one who is wise among fools must be the least

And therefore he is the greatestBut fools wont consider him as a threatThey just dont understand him and cut him deadBecause he dont fight and argue with anybody he is indisputable

LXVIIIn life I am great, but for the world I am a failureIn my grandeur, I am different from all the restAnd exactly therefore, I am greatIf I would be like the rest, I would be just as unimportant and insignificantI have got three treasures I cherish:The first is compassion

The second is austerityThe third is modestyThanks to my compassion I can be braveBecause I am austere I can be unselfishBecause I am modest I can walk in frontBut one who abandons his compassion and yet wants to be braveOne who renounces austerity and yet wants to be unselfishOne who stops being modest and still wants to be importantWont make it farOne who fights with compassion, will conquerBecause he doesnt need to defend himself hes invulnerableThe Unspeakable will protect him with its compassion


20/23

LXVIII

One who fights for peace is non-violentA true fighter is unshakeableA true victor does not argueA true leader is the least

Thats what people call non-violent defensibilityAnd thats how one gets the people on his sideThat is called living according to your natureThat is the perfection the wise of old spoke about

LXIX

One who understands that quarrels will never solve a thing,Wont start anymore and prefers to waitHe rather takes a step back or retractsThats what people call winning by losingShowing strength without impressing

Standing firm without starting the fightNothing is more disastrous than underestimating your enemyOne who underestimates his enemy exposes oneself to dangerTherefore is he whos driven by compassionAlways the winner in a conflict

LXX

My words are easy to comprehendAnd easy to bring to practiceYet no one in the world wants to surrender to itAnd no one feels capable of living according to it

My words got an origin, my way of living a principleBut because the people are not daring to see that, they are not able to understand meThere are only a few who do understand me and to them I am most preciousOne who is wise therefore acts unnoticed, but remains oneself

LXXI

Realising you cant know anything, is wiseOne who does not understand he cant know anything, is insaneOne who realises his insanity,Is able to get rid of itOne who is wise is not insane anymore,

Because he disposed his insanityTherefore he has a clear view

LXXII

When people have forgotten what to be afraid of,They will live in vague fearWhy do they come to terms with this miserable way of living?Why dont they see the beauty of life?Why are they so scared to escape their rut?One who is wise understands that, but wont flaunt with itHe enjoys it but doesnt consider it as his own merit

He abandons his old way of living and embraces true life


21/23

LXXIII

Having guts and being reckless will lead to deathHaving guts and being cautious saves lifeThe first is useless, the other useful

Only one who is wise understands the course of thingsTherefore he wont interveneThe eternal laws of nature are easy to persuade,But always triumphsThey dont speak, yet they do answerThey dont yell, yet everybody hears themLike a net, the original order protects the UniverseThough its meshes seem wide, nothing can come through

LXXIV

When people do not longer fear death

How can one threaten them with it?But if people are afraid of death and other people would threaten to kill them, when the law is broken,Well who is still going to break the law?But there is only One who commands life and deathSince people started to decide about life and death themselves, they have actually taken place on thatOnes chairThan they behave like soccerers apprenticesWho assault the works of their master,With disastrous consequences for themselves

LXXV

People starveBecause the wealthy enrich themselves over other peoples backsThats why people starvePeople are not to controlBecause their leaders dont know what theyre doingThats why people are not to controlPeople want to dieBecause they dont want to live this wayTherefore people want to dieOnly one who is not afraid to live,Is not afraid of dying

LXXVI

When a human being is born its supple and weakWhen it dies its stiff and strongEverything thats alive (take a look at grass and trees for example)Is supple and flexibleAnd when they die they are shrivelled and parchedTherefore hardness and inflexibility are companions of deathAnd suppleness and softness companions of lifeThats why a rigid troublemaker will never winAnd an inflexible tree doomed to deathInflexibility and power wont get you very farSuppleness and softness gets you everywhere


22/23

LXXVII

The natural order is like stretching a bowThe low bow gets pushed up highAnd the high tendon pulled downwardsWhere there is too much it takes away

Where there is not enough it fillsNature strives for harmony all the timeDecreases where there is too muchAnd increases where there is too littleBut how opposite are the people in their behaviourThe poor get poorer while the rich tend to get richerBut one who is wise realises that possession is burglary to communityTherefore he disposes himself of that what belongs to the communitySo only one who is wise is detachedHe does what others ask him to, but nothing for himselfWithout taking credit for it

LXXVIII

Nothing in life is more soft and compliant as waterNothing is stronger in breaking what is hard and strongNothing can exceeds it in thatWeak overcomes strongSoft overcomes hardNobody who knows thisAnd no one who brings it to practiceTherefore the sage says:One who is the least in the world, will be the greatest in lifeOne who carries the sorrow of the world, is the greatest among mankindIt sounds odd, but its true

LXXIX

When people make peace after violent hostilityThan thats an armed peaceHow can it be right?One who is wise only takes a look at his own share in the conflictAnd never blames his opponentSo one who is fair only faces his own partWhile one who is not daring to look at oneself, blames the otherThe road to self-knowledge knows no partialityBut it does benefits the sincere

LXXX

May mankind live in freedom, equality and brotherhood again,So that there will be no need for leaders and superiorsThan people wont fear death any longerAnd not try to escape deathMay it be that the people dont feel the need anymore,To move themselves in vehiclesAnd that they will have nothing to defend anymoreMay humankind abandon their instruments and machines,And enjoy the seeds of the fruit bearing plants

Those where meant as our foodFeel shameless proud of their natural beauty again


23/23

May they stop locking themselves away in citys and houses,And start enjoying the creationAnd if some fools still lock themselves away in nations,Civilisations, citys and housesMay the wise men keep themselves far from that,And live happily ever after

LXXXI

True words are not prettyPretty words are not trueWise men do not talk about the UnspeakableOne who talks about the Unspeakable is not wiseWise men are not learnedAnd learned ones arent wiseA wise man doesnt gather possessionsHe gives what he hasAnd therefore he is worth living

He shares his wisdom with othersHis wisdom is never-endingLiving according to nature never harmsThe life of a wise man is unselfish and peaceful

about lao tzu and the tao te ching

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