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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 DAO32
CHAPTER 32 OF 81

The Dao with No Name

原文 / CHINESE

道常無名。樸雖小,天下莫能臣也。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。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。

ENGLISH / JAMES LEGGE

The Tao, considered as unchanging, has no name.

Though in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the whole world dares not deal with (one embodying) it as a minister. If a feudal prince or the king could guard and hold it, all would spontaneously submit themselves to him.

Heaven and Earth (under its guidance) unite together and send down the sweet dew, which, without the directions of men, reaches equally everywhere as of its own accord.

As soon as it proceeds to action, it has a name. When it once has that name, (men) can know to rest in it. When they know to rest in it, they can be free from all risk of failure and error.

The relation of the Tao to all the world is like that of the great rivers and seas to the streams from the valleys.

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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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.

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