Dao De Jing: A Minimalist Translation - Laozi

道常無名 • 樸雖小天下莫能臣 __ • 侯王若能守之萬物將自賓 • 天地相合 • 以降甘露 • 民莫之令而自均 [焉] 始制有名名亦既有 (•)夫亦將知止知止 (所) 以不殆譬道之在天下 • 猶川谷之 (與) 江海 •

Dao is ever-constantly without-name. Even though the concept of the uncarved block seems insignificant, No one in the world can conquer it. If nobles and kings could maintain it, The ten thousand creatures would naturally obey. Heaven and earth would join with each other, Thus dropping a sweet dew. There are no citizens who would make this happen, Yet it would be naturally fair and impartial. And so, begin to divide and you have names. Once names exist, Men should also be ready to know when to stop. Knowing when to stop is the reason that there is no danger. An analogy for the action of Dao in the world : It is similar to a stream in a valley that becomes part of a large river or ocean.

Dao is ever-constantly without-name. Even though the [concept of the] uncarved block seems insignificant, No one in the world² can conquer it. If nobles^A and kings could maintain it, ♦The ten thousand creatures would naturally obey. ♦Heaven and earth would join with each other, Thus dropping a sweet dew.^B There are no citizens who would make this happen, [they] Yet [it]^C would be naturally fair and impartial. ♦And so, begin to divide^D and you have names. [cut&make garments] ♦Once names [also] exist, [now that] Men should also be ready to know when to stop. Knowing when to stop is the reason that² there is no danger. An analogy for the action of Dao in the world² : It is similar to a stream in a valley that [becomes] part of a large river or ocean. [it] [together with,take part in]

Notes A : while this symbol does literally mean “nobles”, it also specifically refers to a “Marquis”; the Western equivalents for the five grades of Chinese nobility (below the royal family) were Duke, Marquis, Count (or Earl), Viscount, and Baron, in descending order B : Waley comments that this phrase is used to indicate that the kingdom is at peace C : “they” could be used here, referring to the citizens instead of this process D : see #28, where the uncarved block is divided Cross-references always/ever-constantly without X : #1, #34, #37 without-name : #1, #37, #41 nobles (in general) : #37, #39, #42, #62, #80 if nobles and kings could maintain it : #37 uncarved block : #15, #19, #28, #37, #57 ten thousand creatures would naturally… : #37 knowing when to stop : #44 no danger : #16, #25, #44, #52 valley : #6, #15, #28, #39, #41, #66

Chapter Thirty Three

知人者智 • 自知者明 • 勝人者有力 • 自勝者強 • 知足者富 • 強行者有志 • 不失其所者久 • 死而不亡者壽 •

He who knows people is wise; He who knows himself has insight. He who is victorious over people possesses power; He who is victorious over himself is strong. He who knows he has enough is wealthy; He who uses force possesses ambition. He who does not lose his place endures; He who dies yet does not perish has longevity.

He who knows people is wise*; ♦He who knows himself has insight. [wise,sight] ♦He who is victorious over people possesses power; ♦He who is victorious over himself is strong. ♦He who knows he has enough is wealthy; ♦He who uses force² possesses ambition. ♦He who does not lose his place^A endures; [for a long time] He who dies yet does not perish has longevity.^B

Notes A : possibly meaning one’s center, source or root (but then why not use one of the many symbols used elsewhere for these words?), this may be referring to one’s station or position in life (ancient Chinese society was highly stratified); but on the other hand, that sounds very Confucian – so you decide! B : this line has generated much speculation over the millennia; perhaps it refers to being remembered after you die, or the death of the “self”? Cross-references strong : #3, #29, #30, #36, #52, #55, #67, #78 knowing one has enough : #44, #46 die/death : #6, #42, #50, #67, #74, #75, #76, #80 anti-Confucian : #3, #18, #19, #27, #38

Chapter Thirty Four

大道氾兮其可左右 • 萬物恃之 (以) 生而不辭 • 功成遂 [而] 不名有 • 衣養萬物而不為主 [(•)故] 常無欲 • 可名於小 • 萬物歸焉而不為主可名 (於) 大 • (是以聖人之能成大 •) [以其不為大 •] (•)故能成 __ 大

Great Dao is like a vast flood! It is able to flow left and right. The ten thousand creatures depend on it in order for life, And are not rejected. It accomplishes its tasks successfully, Yet does not possess a name. It clothes and supports the ten thousand creatures, But does not act as their master. Therefore : since it is ever-constantly without-desire, It can then be named insignificant. Since the ten thousand creatures return to it But it does not act as their master, It can then be named great. Thus the sage can achieve greatness Because he does not act great. Therefore he can achieve greatness.

Great Dao is like a vast flood ! ♦It is able to flow left and right.^A The ten thousand creatures depend on it in order for life, and are not rejected. [decline,dismiss] It accomplishes its tasks successfully, yet does not possess a name. [results,achievements] It clothes and supports the ten thousand creatures, But does not act as their master. Therefore : since it is ever-constantly without-desire, ♦It can then be named insignificant. ♦Since the ten thousand creatures return to it But it does not act as their master, It can then be named great. Thus² the sage² [he] can achieve greatness Because he does not act great. Therefore he can achieve greatness.^B

Notes A : in other words, everywhere B : the last three lines are significantly different between sources. What is used here comes from the MWD’s, and FY says the exact same thing with slightly different symbols (thus making it the majority). But HSG reads Thus² the sage² is whole, but does not act great. Therefore he can achieve his greatness. And WB reads (with no reference to the sage, presumably still referring to Dao from earlier in the chapter) Because it is whole, it naturally does not act great. Therefore it can achieve its greatness. WB also switched from saying the sage is great to Dao is great in #67 Cross-references great Dao : #18, #53 accomplishing tasks : #2, #9, #17, #77 always/ever-constantly without X : #1, #32, #37 without-desire : #1, #3, #37, #57 returning : #14, #16, #19, #20, #22, #25, #28, #40, #52, #58, #60, #64, #65, #80 sage can achieve greatness : #63

Chapter Thirty Five

執大象天下往往而不害安平太 • 樂與餌過客止道之出 (言) 淡 (呵) 其無味 • 視之不足見 • 聽之不足聞 • 用之不足既 •

Holding fast to the great image, The entire world comes towards you. Comes towards you, and meeting with no harm, There is the greatest peace and calm. Music together with good food make passing guests stay, But Dao’s words are bland! They are without flavor. Look for it, there is not enough to see. Listen for it, there is not enough to hear. Use it, there is not enough to exhaust.

♦Holding fast to the great image, ♦The [entire] world² comes towards you. ♦Comes towards you, and [meeting with]^A no harm, There is the greatest peace and calm². [peace,calm calm,peace] Music together with good food make passing guests stay, [cakes] But Dao ’s words² are bland !^B ♦They are without flavor. ♦Look for it, there is not enough to see. ♦Listen for it, there is not enough to hear. Use it, there is not enough to exhaust°.

Notes A : “doing” could just as easily be used here, but since the sage is the one who does no harm in #58, #60, and #66, “meeting with” is used B : the sentence-as-a-whole can be interpreted in two different ways (see the Introduction) : “speaking about Dao” or “the words that come out of Dao” (which is used here); also note that in the majority of the sources this line is a statement, not a question Cross-references no harm : #56, #58, #60, #66, #81 look, not seen and listen, not heard : #14 use does not exhaust : #4, #5

Chapter Thirty Six

將欲歙之必固張之將欲弱之必固強之將欲廢之必固興之 • 將欲奪之必固與之是謂微明 • 柔弱勝剛強魚不可脫於淵國之利器不可以示人 •

When you are about to gather something, You must have originally spread it out. When you are about to weaken something, You must have originally strengthened it. When you are about to abandon something, You must have originally been interested in it. When you are about to seize something, You must have originally given it. This is called subtle and obscure insight. What is soft and weak conquers what is hard and strong. Fish can not escape from the deep; The sharp tools of the nation Can not be shown to the people.

When you are about to² gather^A something, [inhale] [it] You must have originally spread it out. ♦When you are about to² weaken something, [it] You must have originally strengthened it. When you are about to² abandon something, [it] You must have originally been interested in it. ♦When you are about to² seize something, [it] You must have originally given it. This is called subtle and obscure insight. [wise,sight] What is soft and weak conquers what is hard and strong. [victorious,beats] Fish can not escape from the deep; The sharp tools^B of the nation ♦Can² not be shown to the people.

Notes A : while the majority symbol here means “inhale”, MWD/A uses a symbol meaning to “pick up” or “collect” B : presumably, weapons; compare to #80, where there is no place to display armor and weapons Cross-references weak : #3, #29, #40, #55, #76, #78 strong : #3, #29, #30, #33, #52, #55, #67, #78 soft : #10, #43, #52, #55, #76, #78 hard : #43, #76, #78 soft conquers hard : #43, #78 sharp tools : #57

Chapter Thirty Seven