Tao Teh Ching - 60 Interactive Versions

#Click on a sentence 1 2 3 4 5 Chapter 21 Chapter 23 Back to index #

Ch. 22	Sentence 1
Beck	To yield is to preserve unity. To bend is to become straight. To empty oneself is to become full. To wear oneself out is to be renewed. To have little is to be content. To have abundance is to be troubled.
Blackney	The crooked shall be made straight And the rough places plain; The pools shall be filled And the worn renewed; The needy shall receive And the rich shall be perplexed.
Bynner	"Yield and you need not break:" Bent you can straighten, Emptied you can hold, Torn you can mend; And as want can reward you So wealth can bewilder.
Byrn	If you want to become whole, first let yourself become broken. If you want to become straight, first let yourself become twisted. If you want to become full, first let yourself become empty. If you want to become new, first let yourself become old. Those whose desires are few get them, those whose desires are great go astray.
Chan	To yield is to be preserved whole. To be bent is to become straight. To be empty is to be full. To be worn out is to be renewed. To have little is to possess. To have plenty is to be perplexed.
Cleary	Be tactful and you remain whole; bend and you remain straight. The hollow is filled, the old is renewed. Economy is gain, excess is confusion..
Crowley	The part becomes the whole. The curve becomes straight; the void becomes full; the old becomes new. He who desires little accomplishes his Will with ease; who desires many things becomes distracted.
Hansen	If 'crooked' then 'intact' If 'twisted' then 'straight' If 'vacuous' then 'filled' If 'worn out' then 'new' If 'deficient' then 'endowed' If 'endowed' then 'confounded'
LaFargue	"Bent - then mature." Compromised - then upright Empty - then solid old and spent - then young and sprightly. A little - then a gain a lot - then confusing.
Legge	The partial becomes complete; the crooked, straight; the empty, full; the worn out, new. He whose (desires) are few gets them; he whose (desires) are many goes astray.
Lindauer	Flexibility, then comes wholeness Being twisted, then comes straightness Emptiness, then comes fullness Shabbiness, then comes newness Scarcity, then comes obtainment Abundance, then comes perplexity.
LinYutan	To yield is to be preserved whole. To be bent is to become straight. To be hollow is to be filled. To be tattered is to be renewed. To be in want is to possess. To have plenty is to be confused.
Mabry	If you don't want to be broken, bend. If you want to be straight, allow some crookedness. If you want to be filled, become empty. If you want to be made new, let yourself be used. If you want to be rich, desire little. Wanting more and more is craziness!
McDonald	"To remain whole, yield somewhat or seem curved and bent if you may." To become straight, let yourself look bent. To become full, seem hollow. Seem tattered now, that you can be renewed. Those that have little, can get more, To have plenty is to be confused.
Merel	Accept and you become whole, Bend and you straighten, Empty and you fill, Decay and you renew, Want and you acquire, Fulfill and you become confused.
Mitchell	If you want to become whole, let yourself be partial. If you want to become straight, let yourself be crooked. If you want to become full, let yourself be empty. If you want to be reborn, let yourself die. If you want to be given everything, give everything up.
Muller	The imperfect is completed. The crooked is straightened. The empty is filled. The old is renewed. With few there is attainment. With much there is confusion.
Red Pine	Partial means whole crooked means straight hollow means full worn-out means new less means content more means confused
Ta-Kao	'Be humble, and you will remain entire.' Be bent, and you will remain straight. Be vacant, and you will remain full. Be worn, and you will remain new. He who has little will receive. He who has much will be embarrassed.
Walker	Allow yourself to yield, and you can stay centered. Allow yourself to bend, and you will stay straight. Allow yourself to be empty, and you'll get filled up. Allow yourself to be exhausted, and you'll be renewed. Having little, you can receive much. Having much, you'll just become confused.
Wieger	In the old days they said, the incomplete shall be made whole, the bent shall be straightened, the empty shall be filled, the worn shall be renewed. Simplicity makes for success, multiplicity leads one astray.
World	If you accept all things by refusing to distinguish good and bad, you overcome the confusion of the physical reality and live in harmony with the Infinite manifestations. If you bend as you are impacted by manifestations, your path of peace and harmony will remain straight and true. If you empty your mind of knowledge, you will fill with the experience of oneness with the Infinite. All manifestations constantly disintegrate and remanifest. As your body wears out, your spirit is reborn. Possess little in goods and thoughts and maintain your vision of oneness with Infinity. Possess much and become lost in the confusion that the physical reality is the true realit
Wu	Bend and you will be whole. Curl and you will be straight. Keep empty and you will be filled. Grow old and you will be renewed. Have little and you will gain. Have much and you will be confused.

Ch. 22 Sentence 2

Beck Therefore the wise embrace the One and become examples for the world.

Blackney So the Wise Man cherishes the One, As a standard to the world:

Bynner Aware of this, a wise man has the simple return Which other men seek:

Byrn For this reason the Master embraces the Tao, as an example for the world to follow.

Chan Therefore the sage embraces the One And becomes the model of the world.

Cleary Therefore sages embrace unity as model for the world.

Crowley Therefore the sage concentrates upon one Will, and it is as light to the whole world.

Hansen Using this: Sages embrace one and deem it the social world's model.

LaFargue And so the Wise Person: Embraces The One Thing, and becomes the Shepherd of the World.

Legge Therefore the sage holds in his embrace the one thing (of humility), and manifests it to all the world.

Lindauer Appropriately it happens that sages Embrace oneness Act as the model of the world

LinYutan Therefore the Sage embraces the One, And becomes the model of the world.

Mabry Therefore the Sage embraces oneness and becomes a model for he world.

McDonald Therefore the wise man clasps the primal unity, testing by it everything under heaven by himself - it.

Merel The sage accepts the world As the world accepts the Way;

Mitchell The Master, by residing in the Tao, sets an example for all beings.

Muller Therefore the sage grasps the one and becomes the model for all.

Red Pine thus the sage holds onto the one to use in guiding the world

Ta-Kao Therefore the Sage keeps to One and becomes the standard for the world.

Walker Therefore the sage embraces the oneness and becomes a pattern for the whole world.

Wieger Therefore the Sage who holds himself to unity, is the model for the empire, (for the world, the ideal man).

World Therefore, remain focused on the oneness of Infinity and become a beacon for all beings.

Wu Therefore, the Sage embraces the One, And becomes a Pattern to all under Heaven.

Ch. 22 Sentence 3

Beck They do not display themselves and are therefore illumined. They do not justify themselves and are distinguished. They do not make claims and are therefore given credit. They do not seek glory and therefore are leaders.

Blackney Not displaying himself, He is famous; Not asserting himself, He is distinguished; Not boasting his powers, He is effective; Taking no pride in himself, He is chief.

Bynner Without inflaming himself He is kindled, Without explaining himself Is explained, Without taking credit Is accredited, Laying no claim Is acclaimed

Byrn Because she isn't self centered, people can see the light in her. Because she does not boast of herself, she becomes a shining example. Because she does not glorify herself, she becomes a person of merit.

Chan He does not justify himself; therefore he becomes prominent. He does not boast of himself; therefore he is given credit. He does not brag; therefore he can endure for long.

Cleary Not seeing themselves, they are therefore clear. Not asserting themselves, they are therefore outstanding. Not congratulating themselves, they are therefore meritorious. Not taking pride in themselves, they last long.

Crowley Hiding himself, he shines; withdrawing himself, he attracts notice; humbling himself, he is exalted; dissatisfied with himself, he gains force to achieve his Will.

Hansen He doesn't see by himself hence is perceptive. Doesn't affirm himself hence is discerning. Doesn't attack by himself hence has success. Doesn't esteem himself hence becomes an elder.

LaFargue He does not show off, so he shines he does not promote himself, so he becomes famous he does not boast of himself, so he gets the credit he does not glorify himself, so he becomes leader.

Legge He is free from self-display, and therefore he shines; from self-assertion, and therefore he is distinguished; from self-boasting, and therefore his merit is acknowledged; from self-complacency, and therefore he acquires superiority.

Lindauer Are not showing themselves so they are luminous Are not justifying themselves so they are conspicuous Are not boasting of themselves so outstanding service is performed Are not bragging of themselves so they grow

LinYutan He does not reveal himself, And is therefore luminous. He does not justify himself, And is therefore far-famed. He does not boast of himself, And therefore people give him credit. He does not pride himself, And is therefore the chief among men.

Mabry Not self-centered, she is enlightened. Not self-righteous, she is a shining example. Not self-glorifying, she accomplishes glorious things. Not boastful, she grows large inside.

McDonald He doesn't show himself much, he is therefore luminous and clear. He doesn't define himself, therefore he is distinct. He doesn't boast, therefore people give him credit: he succeeds by that. He's never outright proud of his work, and therefore it endures.

Merel He does not display himself, so is clearly seen, Does not justify himself, so is recognized, Does not boast, so is credited, Does not pride himself, so endures,

Mitchell Because he doesn't display himself, people can see his light. Because he has nothing to prove, people can trust his words. Because he doesn't know who he is, people recognize themselves in him.

Muller She does not show herself, and therefore is apparent. She does not affirm herself, and therefore is acknowledged. She does not boast and therefore has merit. She does not strive and is therefore successful.

Red Pine not watching himself he appears not displaying himself he flourishes not flattering himself he succeeds not parading himself he leads

Ta-Kao He does not display himself; therefore he shines. He does not approve himself; therefore he is noted. He does not praise himself; therefore he has merit. He does not glory in himself; therefore he excels.

Walker She doesn't display herself, so she becomes illuminated. She doesn't justify herself, so she becomes distinguished. She doesn't boast, so she is recognized. She doesn't claim credit, so she advances and endures.

Wieger He shines, because he does not show off. He imposes himself because he does not claim to be right. One finds merit in him, because he does not brag. He increases constantly because he does not push himself.

World Do not distinguish the self and manifest the oneness of Infinity for all to see. Do not assert the self and others will follow. Do not bolster the self and other will give their respect. Do not allow the self to brag and others will bestow their praise.

Wu He does not make a show of himself, Hence he shines; He does not justify himself, Hence he becomes known; Does not boast of his ability, Hence he gets his credit; Does not brandish his success, Hence he endures;

Ch. 22 Sentence 4

Beck Because they do not compete, the world cannot compete with them.

Blackney Because he is no competitor, No one in all the world can compete with him.

Bynner And, because he does not compete, Finds peaceful competence.

Byrn Because she wants nothing from the world, the world can not overcome her.

Chan It is precisely because he does not compete that the world cannot compete with him.

Cleary It is just because they do not contend that no one in the world can contend with them.

Crowley Because he strives not, no man may contend against him.

Hansen In general: he does not dispute hence in the social world none is able to dispute with him.

LaFargue He just does not contend and so no one can contend with him.

Legge It is because he is thus free from striving that therefore no one in the world is able to strive with him.

Lindauer In the end only lack contending So noone in the world is able to be contending with them.

LinYutan -

Mabry She alone does not compete, And so the world can never overcome her.

McDonald Because he doesn't contend, none in the world can contend with him.

Merel Does not contend, so none contend against him.

Mitchell Because he has no goal in mind, everything he does succeeds.

Muller It is exactly because she does not contend, that nobody can contend with her.

Red Pine because he doesn't compete no one can compete against him

Ta-Kao And because he does not compete; therefore no one in the world can compete with him.

Walker She doesn't contend, so no one can contend with her.

Wieger As he does not oppose himself to anyone, no one is opposed to him.

World Do not allow the self to be quarrelsome and experience peace with all being

Wu Does not compete with anyone, Hence no one can compete with him.

Ch. 22 Sentence 5

Beck Is not the ancient saying true, "To yield is to preserve unity?" for true wholeness comes from turning within.

Blackney The saying of the men of old Is not in vain: "The crooked shall be made straight - " To be perfect, return to it.

Bynner How true is the old saying "Yield and you need not break"! How completely it comes home!

Byrn When the ancient Masters said, "If you want to become whole, then first let yourself be broken," they weren't using empty words. All who do this will be made complete.

Chan Is the ancient saying, "To yield is to be preserved whole," empty words? Truly he will be preserved and (prominence and credit) will come to him.

Cleary Is it empty talk, the old saying that tact keeps you whole? When truthfulness is complete, it still resorts to this.

Crowley This is no idle say of men of old; 'The part becomes the whole'; it is the Canon of Perfection.

Hansen The ancients who said "If 'crooked' then 'intact'" - could they have offered empty words? Take 'intact' as sincere and return to it.

LaFargue What the ancients said: "bent - then mature," is this an empty saying? This is true maturity, turn back to it.

Legge That saying of the ancients that 'the partial becomes complete' was not vainly spoken:--all real completion is comprehended under it.

Lindauer In ancient times there was a saying, That which is flexible becomes whole. How can these be empty words? The essence, whole yet being merged together.

LinYutan Is it not indeed true, as the ancients say, "To yield is to be preserved whole?" Thus he is preserved and the world does him homage.

Mabry When the ancients said, "If you don't want to be broken, bend" Were they just uttering empty words? Bend sincerely and wholeness will return to you.

McDonald So the old saying To remain whole, seem twisted!" was no idle word; for true wholeness can only be won by return to dao.

Merel The ancients said, "Accept and you become whole", Once whole, the world is as your home.

Mitchell When the ancient Masters said, "If you want to be given everything, give everything up," they weren't using empty phrases. Only in being lived by the Tao can you be truly yourself.

Muller How could the ancient saying, "The imperfect is completed" be regarded as empty talk? Believe in the complete and return to it.

Red Pine the ancients who said partial means whole came close indeed becoming whole depends on this

Ta-Kao The ancient saying 'Be humble and you will remain entire'- Can this be regarded as mere empty words? Indeed he shall return home entire.

Walker "Yield and you can stay centered"- Is this saying meaningless? Stay whole, and all things return to you.

Wieger The axioms from the old days cited above, are they not full of sense? Yes, towards him who is perfect, (who does nothing to attract to himself), all run spontaneously.

World Is not it true that if you accept all things by refusing to distinguish good and bad, you overcome the confusion of the physical reality and live in harmony with the Infinite manifestations? Flow with the peace and harmony of the oneness of Infinity and experience immortality.

Wu Indeed the ancient saying: "Bend and you will remain whole" is no idle word. Nay, if you have really attained wholeness, everything will flock to you.

Ch. 22	Sentence 2
Beck	Therefore the wise embrace the One and become examples for the world.
Blackney	So the Wise Man cherishes the One, As a standard to the world:
Bynner	Aware of this, a wise man has the simple return Which other men seek:
Byrn	For this reason the Master embraces the Tao, as an example for the world to follow.
Chan	Therefore the sage embraces the One And becomes the model of the world.
Cleary	Therefore sages embrace unity as model for the world.
Crowley	Therefore the sage concentrates upon one Will, and it is as light to the whole world.
Hansen	Using this: Sages embrace one and deem it the social world's model.
LaFargue	And so the Wise Person: Embraces The One Thing, and becomes the Shepherd of the World.
Legge	Therefore the sage holds in his embrace the one thing (of humility), and manifests it to all the world.
Lindauer	Appropriately it happens that sages Embrace oneness Act as the model of the world
LinYutan	Therefore the Sage embraces the One, And becomes the model of the world.
Mabry	Therefore the Sage embraces oneness and becomes a model for he world.
McDonald	Therefore the wise man clasps the primal unity, testing by it everything under heaven by himself - it.
Merel	The sage accepts the world As the world accepts the Way;
Mitchell	The Master, by residing in the Tao, sets an example for all beings.
Muller	Therefore the sage grasps the one and becomes the model for all.
Red Pine	thus the sage holds onto the one to use in guiding the world
Ta-Kao	Therefore the Sage keeps to One and becomes the standard for the world.
Walker	Therefore the sage embraces the oneness and becomes a pattern for the whole world.
Wieger	Therefore the Sage who holds himself to unity, is the model for the empire, (for the world, the ideal man).
World	Therefore, remain focused on the oneness of Infinity and become a beacon for all beings.
Wu	Therefore, the Sage embraces the One, And becomes a Pattern to all under Heaven.

Ch. 22	Sentence 3
Beck	They do not display themselves and are therefore illumined. They do not justify themselves and are distinguished. They do not make claims and are therefore given credit. They do not seek glory and therefore are leaders.
Blackney	Not displaying himself, He is famous; Not asserting himself, He is distinguished; Not boasting his powers, He is effective; Taking no pride in himself, He is chief.
Bynner	Without inflaming himself He is kindled, Without explaining himself Is explained, Without taking credit Is accredited, Laying no claim Is acclaimed
Byrn	Because she isn't self centered, people can see the light in her. Because she does not boast of herself, she becomes a shining example. Because she does not glorify herself, she becomes a person of merit.
Chan	He does not justify himself; therefore he becomes prominent. He does not boast of himself; therefore he is given credit. He does not brag; therefore he can endure for long.
Cleary	Not seeing themselves, they are therefore clear. Not asserting themselves, they are therefore outstanding. Not congratulating themselves, they are therefore meritorious. Not taking pride in themselves, they last long.
Crowley	Hiding himself, he shines; withdrawing himself, he attracts notice; humbling himself, he is exalted; dissatisfied with himself, he gains force to achieve his Will.
Hansen	He doesn't see by himself hence is perceptive. Doesn't affirm himself hence is discerning. Doesn't attack by himself hence has success. Doesn't esteem himself hence becomes an elder.
LaFargue	He does not show off, so he shines he does not promote himself, so he becomes famous he does not boast of himself, so he gets the credit he does not glorify himself, so he becomes leader.
Legge	He is free from self-display, and therefore he shines; from self-assertion, and therefore he is distinguished; from self-boasting, and therefore his merit is acknowledged; from self-complacency, and therefore he acquires superiority.
Lindauer	Are not showing themselves so they are luminous Are not justifying themselves so they are conspicuous Are not boasting of themselves so outstanding service is performed Are not bragging of themselves so they grow
LinYutan	He does not reveal himself, And is therefore luminous. He does not justify himself, And is therefore far-famed. He does not boast of himself, And therefore people give him credit. He does not pride himself, And is therefore the chief among men.
Mabry	Not self-centered, she is enlightened. Not self-righteous, she is a shining example. Not self-glorifying, she accomplishes glorious things. Not boastful, she grows large inside.
McDonald	He doesn't show himself much, he is therefore luminous and clear. He doesn't define himself, therefore he is distinct. He doesn't boast, therefore people give him credit: he succeeds by that. He's never outright proud of his work, and therefore it endures.
Merel	He does not display himself, so is clearly seen, Does not justify himself, so is recognized, Does not boast, so is credited, Does not pride himself, so endures,
Mitchell	Because he doesn't display himself, people can see his light. Because he has nothing to prove, people can trust his words. Because he doesn't know who he is, people recognize themselves in him.
Muller	She does not show herself, and therefore is apparent. She does not affirm herself, and therefore is acknowledged. She does not boast and therefore has merit. She does not strive and is therefore successful.
Red Pine	not watching himself he appears not displaying himself he flourishes not flattering himself he succeeds not parading himself he leads
Ta-Kao	He does not display himself; therefore he shines. He does not approve himself; therefore he is noted. He does not praise himself; therefore he has merit. He does not glory in himself; therefore he excels.
Walker	She doesn't display herself, so she becomes illuminated. She doesn't justify herself, so she becomes distinguished. She doesn't boast, so she is recognized. She doesn't claim credit, so she advances and endures.
Wieger	He shines, because he does not show off. He imposes himself because he does not claim to be right. One finds merit in him, because he does not brag. He increases constantly because he does not push himself.
World	Do not distinguish the self and manifest the oneness of Infinity for all to see. Do not assert the self and others will follow. Do not bolster the self and other will give their respect. Do not allow the self to brag and others will bestow their praise.
Wu	He does not make a show of himself, Hence he shines; He does not justify himself, Hence he becomes known; Does not boast of his ability, Hence he gets his credit; Does not brandish his success, Hence he endures;

Ch. 22	Sentence 4
Beck	Because they do not compete, the world cannot compete with them.
Blackney	Because he is no competitor, No one in all the world can compete with him.
Bynner	And, because he does not compete, Finds peaceful competence.
Byrn	Because she wants nothing from the world, the world can not overcome her.
Chan	It is precisely because he does not compete that the world cannot compete with him.
Cleary	It is just because they do not contend that no one in the world can contend with them.
Crowley	Because he strives not, no man may contend against him.
Hansen	In general: he does not dispute hence in the social world none is able to dispute with him.
LaFargue	He just does not contend and so no one can contend with him.
Legge	It is because he is thus free from striving that therefore no one in the world is able to strive with him.
Lindauer	In the end only lack contending So noone in the world is able to be contending with them.
LinYutan	-
Mabry	She alone does not compete, And so the world can never overcome her.
McDonald	Because he doesn't contend, none in the world can contend with him.
Merel	Does not contend, so none contend against him.
Mitchell	Because he has no goal in mind, everything he does succeeds.
Muller	It is exactly because she does not contend, that nobody can contend with her.
Red Pine	because he doesn't compete no one can compete against him
Ta-Kao	And because he does not compete; therefore no one in the world can compete with him.
Walker	She doesn't contend, so no one can contend with her.
Wieger	As he does not oppose himself to anyone, no one is opposed to him.
World	Do not allow the self to be quarrelsome and experience peace with all being
Wu	Does not compete with anyone, Hence no one can compete with him.

Ch. 22	Sentence 5
Beck	Is not the ancient saying true, "To yield is to preserve unity?" for true wholeness comes from turning within.
Blackney	The saying of the men of old Is not in vain: "The crooked shall be made straight - " To be perfect, return to it.
Bynner	How true is the old saying "Yield and you need not break"! How completely it comes home!
Byrn	When the ancient Masters said, "If you want to become whole, then first let yourself be broken," they weren't using empty words. All who do this will be made complete.
Chan	Is the ancient saying, "To yield is to be preserved whole," empty words? Truly he will be preserved and (prominence and credit) will come to him.
Cleary	Is it empty talk, the old saying that tact keeps you whole? When truthfulness is complete, it still resorts to this.
Crowley	This is no idle say of men of old; 'The part becomes the whole'; it is the Canon of Perfection.
Hansen	The ancients who said "If 'crooked' then 'intact'" - could they have offered empty words? Take 'intact' as sincere and return to it.
LaFargue	What the ancients said: "bent - then mature," is this an empty saying? This is true maturity, turn back to it.
Legge	That saying of the ancients that 'the partial becomes complete' was not vainly spoken:--all real completion is comprehended under it.
Lindauer	In ancient times there was a saying, That which is flexible becomes whole. How can these be empty words? The essence, whole yet being merged together.
LinYutan	Is it not indeed true, as the ancients say, "To yield is to be preserved whole?" Thus he is preserved and the world does him homage.
Mabry	When the ancients said, "If you don't want to be broken, bend" Were they just uttering empty words? Bend sincerely and wholeness will return to you.
McDonald	So the old saying To remain whole, seem twisted!" was no idle word; for true wholeness can only be won by return to dao.
Merel	The ancients said, "Accept and you become whole", Once whole, the world is as your home.
Mitchell	When the ancient Masters said, "If you want to be given everything, give everything up," they weren't using empty phrases. Only in being lived by the Tao can you be truly yourself.
Muller	How could the ancient saying, "The imperfect is completed" be regarded as empty talk? Believe in the complete and return to it.
Red Pine	the ancients who said partial means whole came close indeed becoming whole depends on this
Ta-Kao	The ancient saying 'Be humble and you will remain entire'- Can this be regarded as mere empty words? Indeed he shall return home entire.
Walker	"Yield and you can stay centered"- Is this saying meaningless? Stay whole, and all things return to you.
Wieger	The axioms from the old days cited above, are they not full of sense? Yes, towards him who is perfect, (who does nothing to attract to himself), all run spontaneously.
World	Is not it true that if you accept all things by refusing to distinguish good and bad, you overcome the confusion of the physical reality and live in harmony with the Infinite manifestations? Flow with the peace and harmony of the oneness of Infinity and experience immortality.
Wu	Indeed the ancient saying: "Bend and you will remain whole" is no idle word. Nay, if you have really attained wholeness, everything will flock to you.