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Tao Te Ching.

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道德經

81 CHAPTERS · CHINESE & ENGLISH

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PART I · THE DAO10
CHAPTER 10 OF 81

Possibilities Through the Dao

原文 / CHINESE

載營魄抱一,能無離乎?專氣致柔,能嬰兒乎?濌除玄覽,能無疵乎?

愛民治國,能無知乎?天門開闔,能為雌乎?明白四達,能無知乎?

生之、畜乎,生而不有,為而不恃,長而不宰,是謂玄德。

ENGLISH / JAMES LEGGE

When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating. When one gives undivided attention to the (vital) breath, and brings it to the utmost degree of pliancy, he can become as a (tender) babe. When he has cleansed away the most mysterious sights (of his imagination), he can become without a flaw.

In loving the people and ruling the state, cannot he proceed without any (purpose of) action? In the opening and shutting of his gates of heaven, cannot he do so as a female bird? While his intelligence reaches in every direction, cannot he (appear to) be without knowledge?

(The Tao) produces (all things) and nourishes them; it produces them and does not claim them as its own; it does all, and yet does not boast of it; it presides over all, and yet does not control them. This is what is called 'The mysterious Quality' (of the Tao).

About the text, translation & sources

The Chinese text follows our sister site, Longhu Mountain. The English is James Legge’s public-domain translation, first published in 1891, transcribed from the Project Gutenberg edition. Paragraph numbering is omitted; wording, parenthetical explanations and period language are retained. Chinese readings vary between editions.

The Tao Te Ching is traditionally attributed to Laozi. Its date and authorship are debated. Chapter titles are reading aids; they are not part of the ancient Chinese chapter text. The reflection boxes on this site are contemporary editorial questions, distinct from the translation.

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A FEW PATHS THROUGH THE BOOK

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Read in order.
Or follow a thought.

A FIRST ENCOUNTER

Begin with the Way

Names, origins and the language of the Dao.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF STRENGTH

Water & softness

Images of yielding, flexibility and quiet persistence.

ROOM TO NOTICE

Space & stillness

The usefulness of emptiness and the practice of less.

CARE & HUMILITY

Living with others

Character, leadership and a life beyond accumulation.

FOLLOW YOUR CURIOSITY

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