Compiled by Kevin Solway
A SELECTION FROM "THE QUESTIONS OF KING MILIND"
SELECTED VERSES FROM THE THE TAO TE CHING
SELECTED WRITINGS OF NIETZSCHE
ACOMPILATION
OF
MY FAVOURITE WRITINGS
I include here a selection of the teachings that have been of the most use to me. As the selection is a product of my own mind, and my own personality, it should convey as much of myself as any of my own personal writings.
Many have trod the Path of the Infinite before now, making it easier for us to follow. It would be foolish for one to beat his own path through the wilderness, thinking himself to be the only one, when there is encouragement and guidance to be had.
Individuality and self-reliance cannot be surpassed, but the kind of individuality that shuts itself off from the chance of help is complete and utter foolishness.
King Milind: What is Nirvana?
Nagasena: The question is wrongly put. How can a man describe all the interactions that ever have been and ever will?
King Milind: How can there be rebirth without transmigration?
Nagasena: Suppose a man were to light a lamp from another lamp, can it be said that the one transmigrates from the other?
King Milind: No.
Nagasena: Just so, great King, is rebirth without transmigration.
King Milind: Where does wisdom dwell?
Nagasena: Nowhere.
King Milind: Then, there is no wisdom.
Nagasena: Where does the wind dwell?
King Milind: Nowhere.
Nagasena: So, there is no such thing as wind!
King Milind: If you speak honestly to someone about how badly they behave, is this not abuse, which might lead to a breach of the peace?
Nagasena: Do you bow down and show respect to a criminal? Or do you show him the error of his ways? Do you try to cure vigorous diseases with soft drugs?
Nagasena: Vice dies away quickly by reason of its meanness, whereas virtue, by its grandeur, takes a long time to die.
* * * *
- As rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, passion will break through an unreflecting mind.
- If a fool be associated with a wise man even all his life, he will perceive the truth as little as a spoon perceives the taste of soup.
- As long as the evil deed done does not bear fruit, the fool thinks it is like honey; but when it ripens, then the fool suffers grief. An evil deed, does not ripen suddenly, but smouldering, like fire covered by ashes, it follows the fool.
- Even an evil-doer sees happiness so long as his evil deed does not ripen; but when his evil deed ripens, then does the evil-doer see evil. Even a good man sees evil days so long as his good deed does not ripen; but when his good deed ripens, then does the good man see good things.
- If you see a man who shows you what is to be avoided, who administers reproofs, and is intelligent, you have found a precious treasure. You will become better. Let him admonish, let him teach, let him forbid what is improper! - he will be beloved of the good, by the bad he will be hated.
- Where the world finds no delight, there the passionless will delight, for they look not for pleasures.
- If one man conquer in battle a thousand times a thousand men, and if another conquer himself, he is the greatest of conquerors.
- Even though a poem be a thousand words, but made up of senseless words, one word is better, which if a man hears, he becomes quiet.
- If a man do rituals for a thousand years. Better is it for the man who for but a moment pay homage to a man who is grounded in true knowledge. And he who lives a hundred years, not seeing the highest Truth, a life of one day is better if a man sees the highest law.
- A man who has learnt little, grows old like an ox, his flesh grows, but his knowledge does not grow.
- If a man make himself as he teaches others to be, then, being himself well subdued, he may subdue others; for ones own self is difficult to subdue.
- Those who are ever watchful, who study day and night, and who strive after Nirvana, their passions will come to an end.
- A man is not learned because he talks much. A man is not an elder because his head is grey. He is "old-in-vain".
- So long as the sensual desire of man towards women, even the smallest, is not destroyed, so long is his mind in bondage, as the calf that drinks milk is to its mother.
- Sitting alone, lying down alone, walking alone and alone subduing himself, let a man be happy at the end of desires.
- Rouse thyself by thyself, examine thyself by thyself, thus self-protected and attentive wilt thou live happily.
- To be thoughtless is easy, it is easy to live without shame and be selfish. But it is hard to be selfless, pure and intelligent.
- Riches destroy the foolish, if they look not for the other shore; the fool by his thirst for riches destroys himself, as if he were destroying others in battle.
- Without knowledge there is no meditation, without meditation there is no knowledge. He who has knowledge and meditation is near unto Nirvana.
- He who has compassion on his friends and confidential companions loses his own advantage, having a fettered mind; seeing danger in friendship let one wander alone like a rhinoceros. There is support and amusement in the midst of company, and for children there is great affection; Although wishing people well, one must wander alone like a rhinoceros. Having torn the ties, having broken the net as a fish in the water, being like a fire not returning to the burnt place, let one wander alone like a rhinoceros. They cultivate the society of others and serve them for the sake of personal advantage; friends without a motive are difficult to come by. Therefore, let one wander alone like a rhinoceros.
- What fools say is pleasure, the nobles say is pain. What fools say is pain, the nobles know as pleasure. See here is a thing difficult to understand, here the ignorant are confounded.
- Those who "purify" themselves through philosophy are not on the true way. They are attached to words. They go from teacher to teacher, philosophy to philosophy, book to book. They grasp, they let go like a monkey letting go one branch to catch hold of another.
- He (the Muni) does not enter time of living beings, he is no follower of philosophical views, nor a friend of knowledge, and having penetrated the opinions that have arisen amongst people, he is indifferent to learning, while others acquire it. Not because of a philosophical view is one called a Muni, but because of his freedom from desire, freedom from self.
- Philosophers cannot lead to purity, they praise only themselves and stigmatise others. But a Buddha has overcome all dispute, he is indifferent to learning, he is appeased.
- Let one not form any philosophical view in this world, either by knowledge or by virtue and holy works, let him not represent himself equal to others, nor think himself either low or distinguished. In him there is not the least prejudiced idea with regard to what has been seen, heard, or thought; how could any one in this world alter such a one who does not adopt any view?
- They do not form any view, they do not prefer anything, the Dhammas are not chosen by them. He does not depend upon virtue or holy works. Having gone to the other shore, such a one does not return.
- The man in whom there is nothing upon which he depends, who is independent, having understood the Dhamma, in whom there is no craving for coming into existence or leaving existence. Him I call calm, not looking for sensual pleasures; for him there are no ties, he has overcome desire. For him there are no sons, cattle, fields, wealth, nothing grasped or rejected is to be found in him. That fault of which common people and philosophers say that he is possessed, is not possessed by him, therefore he is not moved by their talk. Free from covetousness, without avarice, the Muni does not reckon himself amongst the low, he does not enter time, being delivered from time.
* * * *
A Selection From:
"AGUIDE TO THE BODHISATTVA'S WAY OF LIFE"
by Shantideva.
Although they may play with my body
And make it a source of jest and blame,
Because I have given it up to them
What is the use of holding it dear?
Therefore I will let them do anything to it.
That does not cause them any harm.
And when anyone encounters me
May it never be meaningless for them.
Where could I possibly find enough leather
With which to cover the surface of the earth?
But wearing leather just on the soles of my shoes
Is equivalent to covering the whole earth with it.
Just as I would be attentive and careful of a wound
When amidst a bustling uncontrolled crowd,
So I should always guard the wound of my mind.
When dwelling among harmful people.
Should I behave in such a way as this.
Then whether among harmful people
Or even in the midst of women,
The steady effort to control myself will not decline.
Whatever has been learnt, contemplated and meditated upon
By those whose minds lack alertness,
Just like water in a leaking vase
Will not be retained in their memory.
Therefore I shall never let mindfulness depart
From the doorway of my mind.
If it goes, I should recall the misery of the lower realms
And firmly re-establish it there.
When mindfulness is set with the purpose
Of guarding the doorway of the mind,
Then alertness will come about.
And even that which had gone will return.
If I happen to be present
While a senseless conversation is taking place,
Or if I happen to see some kind of spectacular show,
I should abandon attachment to it.
If for no other reason I start digging at the earth,
Picking at the grass or drawing patterns on the ground,
Then by recalling the advice of the Buddhas;
I should immediately stop out of fear.
Do I not see
That he is systematically slaughtering my species?
Whoever remains soundly asleep
Surely behaves like a buffalo with a butcher.
Relying upon the boat of a human body,
Free yourself from the great ocean of suffering.
As it is hard to find this boat again.
This is no time for sleep, you fool.
So, having mounted the horse of an Awakening Mind,
That dispels all discouragement and weariness.
Who, when they know of this mind that proceeds from joy to joy,
Would ever lapse into despondency.
Powerless, their minds disturbed,
People in this world are unable to benefit themselves.
Therefore I shall do it for them.
Since unlike me, these beings are incapable.
When crows encounter a dying snake
They will act as though they were eagles.
Likewise, if my self-confidence is weak
I shall be injured by the slightest downfall.
I will conquer everything
And nothing at all shall conquer me!
I, a son of the Lion-like Conqueror,
Should remain self-confident in this way.
If someone dropped his sword during battle,
He would immediately pick it up out of fear.
Likewise if I lose the weapon of mindfulness
I should quickly retrieve it , being afraid of hell.
Just as poison spreads throughout the body,
In dependence upon the circulation of blood,
Likewise if a disturbing conception finds an opportunity
Unwholesomeness will permeate my mind.
Those who practise should be as attentive
As a frightened man carrying a jar full of mustard oil
Who is being threatened by someone with a sword,
And will be killed if he spills one drop
Just as I would swiftly stand up
If a snake came into my lap
Likewise if any sleep or laziness occur
I shall quickly turn them back.
Each time something unwholesome occurs
I should criticize myself,
And then contemplate for a long time
That I shall never let this happen again.
Why do I make such an effort to polish it (the body)?
Like cleaning a weapon that will cause me harm.
Hence this entire world is disturbed with insanity,
Due to the exertions of those who are confused.
In the same way as animals drawing carriages
Are only able to eat a few mouthfuls of grass,
Likewise desirous people
Have many disadvantages such as these and little profit.
The objects of desire will certainly perish,
And then I shall fall into hellish states.
But Buddhahood itself is attained
With just one millionth of the difficulty.
It is a mistaken conception to think
That I shall experience the suffering of my next life,
For it is another person who dies,
And another that will be reborn.
Although others may do something wrong,
I should transform it into a fault of my own,
But should I do something even slightly wrong,
I shall openly admit it to many people.
Upon analysis this world of living beings is found to have
no true existence.
Therefore who can die here?
What is there to come and what has been?
Who are friends and who are relatives?
* * * *
One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing,
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.
A sluggard does not plow in season,
so at harvest time, he looks but finds nothing.
Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
He who rebukes a man will in the end gain
more favour than he who has a flattering tongue.
* * * *
- Knowledge and love of God are ultimately one and the same. There is no difference between pure knowledge and pure love.
- A true devotee who has drunk deeply of Divine Love is like a veritable drunkard, and, as such, cannot always observe the rules of propriety.
- As the lamp does not burn without oil, so man cannot live without God. God is even in the tiger, but we must not go and face the animal! So it is true that God dwells even in the most wicked of men, but it is not meant that we should associate with the wicked.
- The human body is like a boiling pot, and the mind and the senses are like the food cooking within it. The heat does not belong to the pot but to the fire. So it is the fire of Brahman in man that causes the mind and the senses to perform their functions, and when that fire ceases to act, the senses also, or the organs, stop.
* Similarly, we are like a fountain. When the power to the water pump is cut-off, the fountain ceases.
- A man who voluntarily goes into a river and bathes therein gets the benefit of the bath; so does likewise he who has been pushed into the river by another, or who while sleeping soundly has water thrown upon him by another.
- The locomotive engine reaches the destination itself, and also draws and takes with it a long train of loaded wagons. So likewise act the Saviours. They carry multitudes of men, heavily laden with the cares and sorrows of the world, to the feet of the Almighty.
- A Sadhu accidentally trod on the toe of a wicked person, who beat him to unconsciousness. His disciples brought him back to consciousness and one of them asked "Sir, do you recognize who is attending upon you?" The Sadhu replied "He who beat me". A true Sadhu finds no distinction between a friend and a foe.
- When water is poured into an empty vessel a bubbling noise ensues, but when the vessel is full no such noise is heard. Similarly, the man who has not found God is full of vain disputations. But when he has seen Him, all vanities disappear. He is like a deep pool, clear and full.
- A logician once asked Sri Ramakrishna "What are knowledge, knower, and the object known?" To which he replied, "Good man, I do not know all these niceties of scholastic learning. I know only my Mother Divine, and that I am Her son".
- The true Sadhus seem to roam about like children or mad men, in dirty clothes.
- The sage alone can recognize a sage. Just as a specialist in a field of work knows his subject.
- Two men went into a garden. The worldly-wise man no sooner entered the gate than he began to count the number of the mango-trees, how many mangoes each tree bore, and what might be the approximate price of the whole orchard. the other went to the owner, made his acquaintance, and quietly going under a mangoe tree began to pluck the fruit and eat it with the owners consent. Now who is the wiser of the two? Eat mangoes, it will satisfy your hunger. What is the good of counting the leaves and making vain calculations? The vain man of intellect is uselessly busy in finding out the "why and wherefore" of creation while the humble man of wisdom makes acquaintance with the creator and enjoys the supreme bliss of this world.
- "I must attain perfection in this life, yea, in three days I must find God, nay, with a single utterance of his name I will draw him to me". With such a violent love the Lord is attracted soon. The lukewarm lovers take ages to go to Him, if at all.
- The darkness of centuries is dispersed at once as soon as light is brought into the room. The accumulated ignorances and misdoings of innumerable births vanish before the single glance of the Almighty's gracious look. God is in all men, but all men are not in God; that is the reason why they suffer.
- The waters of a swiftly-flowing current move round and round in eddies, but quickly crossing these they resume their former course. So the hearts of the pious fall sometimes into the whirlpools of despondency, grief and unbelief, but it is only a momentary aberration. It does not last long.
- It is pleasant to scratch pimples and skin irritations, but the consequences are bad. So the pleasures of the world are very pleasant in the beginning, but their after consequences are very terrible to contemplate.
- There is little chance a bushman will get lost if he knows which direction is North. So, if the mind of man is turned always towards God without oscillation, direction will never be lost and one can steer clear of every danger.
- If you can detect and find out the universal illusion or maya, it will fly away from you, just as a thief runs away when found out.
- If you wish to thread the needle, make the thread pointed, and remove all extraneous fibres. Then the thread will pass easily into the eye of the needle. So if thou wishest to concentrate thy heart on God, be meek, humble, poor of spirit, and remove all filaments of desire.
* A frayed and agitated mind has no strength. It needs to be focused to a point to be able to penetrate through the veil of maya.
- The tender bamboo can be easily bent, but the full-grown bamboo breaks when an attempt is made to bend it. It is easy to bend young hearts towards good, but the hearts of the old escape the hold when so drawn.
Q: What do you think of the man who is a good orator and preacher, but whose spirituality is undeveloped?
A: He is like a person who squanders anothers property left in trust with him. The ideas he expresses are not his own, but borrowed.
* The spiritual scriptures are a great treasure, but the foolish mis-use them, and so destroy them altogether, spoiling all the hard work that was done to create them.
- The man who, living in the midst of the temptations of the world, attains perfection, is the true hero.
- When the tail of the tadpole drops off, it can live both in water and on land. When the tail of ignorance drops off, man becomes free. He can then live both in God and in the world equally well.
* * * *
- To the sage, neither death nor life makes any change in him, and how much less should the consideration of advantage and injury do so!
- Men in general bustle about and toil, the sagely man seems stupid and to know nothing. He blends ten thousand years together in the One, the myriad things all pursue their spontaneous course, and they are all before him as doing so.
- He who knows the part which the Heavenly in him plays, and knows also that which the Human in him ought to play, has reached the perfection of knowledge.
- The wise men of old did not reject the views of the few, they did not seek to accomplish like heroes before others. Though they might make mistakes they had no occasion for repentance; though they might succeed, they had no self complacency. Being such, they could ascend the loftiest heights without fear; they could pass through water without being made wet by it; they could go into fire without being burnt. They did not dream when they slept, and had no anxiety when they awoke. They did not care that their food should be pleasant. Their breathing came deeply and silently. The breathing of the true man comes from his heels while men generally breathe only from their throats. They knew nothing of the love of life or the hatred of death. Composedly they went and came. They were free from all thought. They beamed simplicity. Profit and injury are the same to them. Their placidity and satisfaction had the appearance of joy; their every movement seemed to be a necessity to them. Unceasing seemed their endeavours to keep their mouths shut. They never incurred punishment. In this way they were one and the same in all their likings and dislikings. Where they liked, they were the same; where they did not like, they were the same.
- Tell a man that he is merely following the opinions of another, or that he is a flatterer of others, and at once he flushes with anger. And yet all his life he is merely following others, and is flattering them! His illustrations are made to agree with theirs, his phrases are glossed - to win the approbation of the multitudes. From first to last, from beginning to end, he finds no fault with their views. He dresses so as to win the favour of his age, and yet does not call himself a flatterer. He is but a follower of those others, approving or disapproving as they do, and yet he will not say that he is one of them. This is the height of stupidity.
- The stillness of the sages does not belong to them as a consequence of their skillful ability. It is their basic nature.
- The sages ramble in the vacancy of untroubled ease, find their food in the fields of indifference, and stand in the gardens which they had not borrowed.
- There is a vulgar saying: "The multitude of men consider gain to be the most important thing; pure scholars, fame; those who are wise and able value their ambition; the sages prize essential purity". Therefore simplicity is the denomination of that in which there is no admixture. It is he who can embody simplicity and purity whom we call the True Man.
- Some people try to peep at the heavens through a tube, or aim at the earth with an awl. These implements are too small for the purpose. You will find many like this.
- An insect of the summer cannot be talked with about ice; - it knows nothing beyond its own season. A scholar of limited views cannot be talked with about the Tao.
- Don't nourish a bird as you would nourish yourself - you will make them perplexed and frightened. He who would nourish a bird as a bird should be nourished should let it perch in a deep forest, or let it float on a river or lake, or let it find its food naturally and undisturbed on the level dry ground.
- Always be peaceful and happy. Things are just as they are. Un-sagely people become renowned as sages and the true sages are often ignored. This is simply owning to the times and its character.
- If a man is crossing a river in a boat, and another empty vessel comes into collision with it, even though he be a man of choleric temper, he will not be angry with it. If a man empty himself of himself, during his time in the world, who can harm him?
- The spring, the water of which rises and overflows, does not "cultivate", neither should a man. He is like heaven which is high of itself, like the sun which shines of itself, what need is there to cultivate it?
When the Tao was lost, its characteristics appeared. When its characteristics were lost, benevolence appeared. When benevolence was lost, righteousness appeared. When righteousness was lost, ceremonies appeared. Ceremonies are but the unsubstantial flowers of the Tao, and the commencement of disorder.
- By length of time one acquires ability at any art; and how much more one who is ever at work on it!
- Can you become a little child?
The child will cry all the day, without its throat becoming hoarse, so perfect is the harmony of its physical constitution. It will keep its fingers closed all day without relaxing their grasp. It will keep its eyes fixed all day without their moving - so is it unnaffected by what is external to it. It walks it knows not whither; it rests where it is placed, it knows not why; it is calmly indifferent to things, and follows their current. This is the regular method for guarding the life.
- A man who is deformed cares little for ornamental clothes and outward appearance. A criminal under sentence of death will ascend to any height without fear of falling. He has ceased to think of life or death. Similarly, a man who abides in the Tao does not reciprocate gifts of friendship, having forgotten "friends". When respect is shown to him it awakens no joy, and contempt awakens no anger. This man resides in Heaven.
- The sage never thinks of Heaven nor men. He does not think of taking the initiative, nor of anything external to himself. He moves along with his age, and does not vary or fail. Amid all the completeness of his doings, he is never exhausted.
- Who is right and who is wrong?
It is said "Someone caused it" or "No one did it", but we are thus debating about things and the end is that we shall find we are in error. We may speak and we may think about it, but the more we speak, the wider we shall be off the mark. When you look for their origin it goes back to infinity, when I look for their end, it proceeds without termination. The name Tao is a metaphor, used for the purpose of description. Neither speech nor silence is sufficient to convey the notion of it.
- How is a thing right? It is right because it is right. How is a thing wrong? It is wrong because it is wrong.
- To him who does not dwell in himself the forms of things show themselves as they are. His movement is like that of water (flowing), his stillness is like that of a mirror (showing things just as they are). His tenuity makes him seem to be disappearing altogether; he is still as a clear lake, harmonious in his association with others, and he counts gain as loss. Men all prefer to be first, he alone chooses to be last. Men all choose fullness, he alone chooses emptiness. He does not store, and therefore he has a superabundance; he looks solitary, but has a multitude around him. In his conducting himself he is easy and leisurely and wastes nothing. He does nothing, and laughs at the clever and ingenious.
- Observe a man's actions, scrutinize his motives, study what makes him content. It is impossible for a man to conceal himself.
- Not to speak with a man who can be spoken with is to lose a man. To speak to a man who cannot be spoken with is to waste words. He who is truly wise never loses a man, he too, never wastes his words.
- When the multitude detests a man, inquiry is necessary; when the multitude likes a man, inquiry is equally necessary.
- At fifteen I set my mind in learning; at thirty I could stand; at forty I had no doubts; at fifty I knew the Fate; at sixty I was already obedient to the Fate; and at seventy I could follow my hearts desires without transgressing the standards of right.
- Study without thought is labour lost; thought without study is perilous.
- The one who never changes is either the wisest of the wise, or the dullest of the dull.
- I won't teach a man who is not eager to learn; nor will I explain to one incapable of forming his own ideas. Nor have I anything more to say to those who, after I have made clear one corner of the subject, cannot deduce the other three.
- If a man is always aware of what he lacks and also what he has learned, he is indeed fond of learning.
- Remember the end and aim of learning, whilst you are constantly engaged in it.
- If a man fails to have a firm hold of virtue and has no firm faith in the Tao, what account can be made of him if he lives? What account can be made of him if he dies?
- If trees are felled day after day on a hillside it becomes denuded. So it is with the human heart. Given a chance, it regenerates.
- When a man's physical body is not straight he feels dissatisfied and seeks to fix it. But when his mind is not straight he doesn't feel dissatisfaction. This is called ignorance of the relative importance of things.
- I hate what seems right, but what in reality is wrong. I hate the darnel lest it be confused with the corn. I hate the glib talker lest he be confused with the righteous. I hate the good careful villagers, lest they be confused with the virtuous.
- Words that are simple but profound in meaning are good words. Principles that are condensed but comprehensive in application are good principles.
- One who shrugs shoulders and feigns flattering smiles is more exhausted than a field labourer toiling in summer.
- No part of a man's body is more vital than the pupil of the eye. Listen to his words and look into his eyes. How can a man conceal his true self?
- Only when a man of worth has himself been enlightened does he try to enlighten others. Nowadays however, one tries to enlighten others while oneself is in darkness.
- To accomplish without acting and to obtain without seeking - this is what is meant by the function of Heaven. Although the Tao of Heaven is profound, the great man will not deliberate on it, although it is great, he will not devote his energy to it, although it is meticulous, he will not scrutinize it. This is what is meant by refraining from contesting with Heaven.
- To speak with much refinement and coherence, to discourse for a whole day with various reasonings and different approaches, but to concentrate on one subject - this is the wisdom of the sage. The scholar speaks eloquently according to the rules of public speaking, but does not possess true wisdom.
- If you do not know a person, look at his friends.
- When enough earth is accumulated to make a mountain, wind and rain arise. When much goodness is accumulated, spiritual enlightenment comes of itself, and the sagely heart is attained.
- To offer instruction without being asked is impetuous, to speak about two things when asked about one is talkative.
- If a man learns much, but does not learn the Tao, then, to the end of his days he will not be more than an absurd scholar.
- The selfish man, although he may ride in a coach and wear a crown, is no different from a footless cripple. He can be called one who makes himself a servant of those things he admires.
- Everything has its roots and branches. Affairs have their beginning and end. To know what comes first and what comes last is to be near to the Tao.
- A single word may ruin an enterprise, and a single man may pacify the state.
- Let me have one minister who is faithful and sincere, who does not pretend to other abilities, who has an upright and tolerant heart; who, seeing abilities in other men, values them as if they were his own, and, hearing sagacious wisdom from other men, loves it as though it were from his own mouth, showing that he is open-minded.
- When there is sincerity there is enlightenment. When there is enlightenment there is sincerity.
- It is only the individual possessed of supreme sincerity who can give full development to his nature. Able to give full development to his nature, he can give full development to the nature of all men. Able to give full development to the nature of all men, he can give full development to the nature of all things. Able to give full development to the nature of all things, he can assist the transforming and nurturing processes of Heaven and earth. Able to assist the transforming and nurturing processes of Heaven and earth, he may, with Heaven and earth, form a triad.
- Don't get attached to words and debate. At best you will be known as a good debater. This is of no value at all!
* * * *
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The named is the Mother of ten thousand things.
Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.
Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
this appears as darkness.
The gate to all mystery.
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because
there is ugliness.
All can know good as good only because there is evil.
Therefore having and not having arise together.
Difficulty and easy complement each other.
Long and short contrast each other;
High and low rest upon each other;
Voice and sound harmonize each other;
Front and back follow one another.
Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing, teaching no-talking.
The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease;
Creating, yet not possessing,
Working, yet not taking credit.
Work is done, then forgotten.
Therefore it lasts forever.
Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling.
Not collecting treasures prevents stealing.
Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart.
The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies,
by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.
If men lack knowledge and desire, then clever people will
not try to interfere.
If nothing is done, then all will be well.
The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used, but never filled.
Oh, unfathomable source of ten thousand things!
Blunt the sharpness,
Untangle the knot,
Soften the glare,
Merge with dust.
Oh, hidden deep but ever present!
I do not know from whence it comes.
It is the forefather of the emperors.
Heaven and earth are ruthless.
They see the ten thousand things as dummies.
The wise are ruthless;
They see the people as dummies.
The space between heaven and earth is like a bellows.
The shape changes, but not the form;
The more it changes, the more it yields.
More words count less.
Hold fast to the centre.
The valley spirit never dies;
It is the woman, primal mother.
Her gateway is the root of heaven and earth.
It is like a veil barely seen.
Use it, it will never fail.
Heaven and earth last forever.
Why do Heaven and earth last forever?
They are unborn,
So ever living.
The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead.
He is detached, thus at one with all.
Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment.
Carrying body and soul and embracing the one,
Can you avoid separation?
Attending fully and becoming supple,
Can you be as a newborn babe?
Washing and cleansing the primal vision,
Can you be without a stain?
Loving all men and ruling the country,
Can you be without cleverness?
Opening and closing the gates of heaven,
Can you play the role of a woman?