Tao Teh Ching - 60 Interactive Versions

#Click on a sentence 1 2 3 Chapter 34 Chapter 36 Back to index #

Ch. 35	Sentence 1
Beck	Hold to the great form, and all the world follows, following without meeting harm, in health, peace, and happiness.
Blackney	Once grasp the great Form without form, And you roam where you will With no evil to fear, Calm, peaceful, at ease.
Bynner	If the sign of life is in your face He who responds to it Will feel secure and fit
Byrn	She who follows the way of the Tao will draw the world to her steps. She can go without fear of being injured, because she has found peace and tranquillity in her heart.
Chan	Hold fast to the great form (Tao), And all the world will come. They come and will encounter no harm; But enjoy comfort, peace, and health.
Cleary	When holding the Great Image, the world goes on and on without harm, peaceful, even, tranquil.
Crowley	The whole world is drawn to him that has the Likeness of the Dao. Men flock unto him, and suffer no ill, but gain repose, find peace, enjoy all ease.
Hansen	Grasp great signs. The social world moves. If it move and does not harm, the comfort and balance is supreme.
LaFargue	Grasp the Great Image and the world will come it will come and not be harmed - a great peace and evenness.
Legge	To him who holds in his hands the Great Image (of the invisible Tao), the whole world repairs. Men resort to him, and receive no hurt, but (find) rest, peace, and the feeling of ease.
Lindauer	Take hold of the great form The world comes toward Comes toward without harm Peace and stability in the extreme.
LinYutan	Hold the Great Symbol and all the world follows, Follows without meeting harm, (And lives in) health, peace, commonwealth.
Mabry	Whoever holds firmly to following the Tao Will draw all the World to herself. She may go anywhere and not be afraid, Finding only safety, balance, and peace.
McDonald	Hold the great symbol and great form of dao know-how. He who visualises or holds the great symbol form at its best can go about his work (in such as his empire), yet without doing harm. An then all the world follows. At last a lot of people will come and meet no harm. All in peace, quietness and security, commonwealth. All can enjoy comfort and health.
Merel	But if you accord with the Way All the people of the world will keep you In safety, health, community, and peace.
Mitchell	She who is centered in the Tao can go where she wishes, without danger. She perceives the universal harmony, even amid great pain, because she has found peace in her heart.
Muller	Holding to the Great Form All pass away. They pass away unharmed, resting in Great Peace.
Red Pine	Hold up the Great Image and the world will come and be beyond harm safe serene and at one
Ta-Kao	To him who holds to the Great Form all the world will go. It will go and see no danger, but tranquillity, equality and community.
Walker	Stay centered in the Tao and the world comes to you: Comes, and isn't harmed; Comes, and finds contentment.
Wieger	Because he resembles the great prototype (the Principle, through his disinterested devotion), all come to the Sage. He welcomes them all, does them good, and gives them rest, peace, and happiness.
World	All beings are drawn to those who stay centered in their oneness with Infinity because they flow in peace and harmony.
Wu	He who holds the Great Symbol will attract all things to him. They flock to him and receive no harm, for in him they find peace, security and happiness.

Ch. 35 Sentence 2

Beck Music and delicacies to eat induce travelers to stay.

Blackney At music and viands The wayfarer stops.

Bynner As when, in a friendly place, Sure of hearty care, A traveler gladly waits.

Byrn Where there is music and good food, people will stop to enjoy it.

Chan When there are music and dainties, Passing strangers will stay.

Cleary When there is music and dining, passing travelers stop;

Crowley Sweet sounds and cakes lure the traveler from his way.

Hansen Concerts and feasts bring passing guests to a halt.

LaFargue or music and cakes, passing strangers stop

Legge Music and dainties will make the passing guest stop (for a time).

Lindauer Music and handing out dainties Passing guests stop

LinYutan Offer good things to eat And the wayfarer stays.

Mabry Music and good food lure passers-by But words about the Tao Seem bland and flavourless to them.

McDonald Sound of music, smell of good dishes will make the passing stranger pause. Yes, offer music and dainties, very good things to eat and the [odd], passing and wayfaring stranger will stays.

Merel If you offer music and food Strangers may stop with you;

Mitchell Music or the smell of good cooking may make people stop and enjoy.

Muller It is for food and music that the passing traveler stops.

Red Pine fine food and song detain passing guests

Ta-Kao Music and dainties will make the passing stranger stop.

Walker Most travelers are drawn to music and good food.

Wieger Music and good cheer may hold up a passer-by for but a night, (since sensual pleasures are fleeting and leave nothing behind).

World The manifestations of music and delicious foodcatch the attention of those passing by.

Wu Music and dainty dishes can only make a passing guest pause.

Ch. 35 Sentence 3

Beck But the Way is mild to the taste. Looked at, it is invisible. Listened to, it is inaudible. Applied, it is inexhaustible.

Blackney But the Way, when declared, Seems thin and so flavourless! It is nothing to look at And nothing to hear; But used, it will prove Inexhaustible.

Bynner Though it may not taste like food And he may not see the fare Or hear the sound of plates, How endless it is and how good!

Byrn But words spoken of the Tao seem to them boring and stale. When looked at, there is nothing for them to see. When listen for, there is nothing for them to hear. Yet if they put it to use, it would never be exhausted.

Chan But the words uttered by Tao, How insipid and tasteless! We look at it; it is imperceptible. We listen to it; it is inaudible. We use it; it is inexhaustible.

Cleary but the issue of the Way is so plain as to be flavorless. When you look at it, it is invisible; when you listen to it, it is inaudible; when you use it, it cannot be exhausted.

Crowley But the Word of the Dao, though it appear harsh and insipid, unworthy to hearken or behold, has this use all inexhaustible.

Hansen Guidance coming out of the mouth. Isn't it bland? It lacks flavour. Looking at it, it is not visible. Listen to it, it is not audible. Use it, it is not applicable.

LaFargue Tao flowing from the lips - flat. No taste to it. Look for it: you will not be satisfied looking listen for it: you will not be satisfied listening put it into practice: you will not be satisfied stopping.

Legge But though the Tao as it comes from the mouth, seems insipid and has no flavour, though it seems not worth being looked at or listened to, the use of it is inexhaustible.

Lindauer Things belonging with tao expressed Its blandness is equal to its lack of flavor. Observing lacks enough sight Listening lacks enough hearing Using lacks enough grasp.

LinYutan But Tao is mild to the taste. Looked at, it cannot be seen; Listened to, it cannot be heard; Applied, its supply never fails.

Mabry Look, and it cannot be seen. Listen, and it cannot be heard. Use it, and it cannot be exhausted.

McDonald How different the words that dao gives forth! So thin, insipid, so flavour- or tasteless! Still dao is mild to the taste. Looked at, it can't be seen. So look at dao; it's quite imperceptible. If one looks for dao, there's hardly anything solid to see. If one listens for it, there's nothing loud to hear. We listen to this inaudible [thing]. If one uses it, its supply never fails. So use it; it's inexhaustible.

Merel The Way lacks art and flavour; It can neither be seen nor heard, But its benefit cannot be exhausted.

Mitchell But words that point to the Tao seem monotonous and without flavour. When you look for it, there is nothing to see. When you listen for it, there is nothing to hear. When you use it, it is inexhaustible.

Muller When the Tao appears from its opening It is so subtle, it has no taste. Look at it, you cannot see it. Listen, you cannot hear it. Use it You cannot exhaust it.

Red Pine when the Tao speaks it's senseless and plain we look and don't see it we listen and don't hear it

Ta-Kao But Tao when uttered in words is so pure and void of flavour When one looks at it, one cannot see it; When one listens to it, one cannot hear it. However, when one uses it, it is inexhaustible. But we use it without end

Walker When Tao is talked about, the words can seem bland and flavourless. Looked at, it may not catch the eye. Listened to, it might not seduce the ear. Used, it can never be exhausted.

Wieger Whereas the exposition of the great principle of disinterested devotion, simple and gentle, which charms neither the eyes nor the ears, pleases, engraves itself, and is of an inexhaustible fecundity in matters of practical application.

World But the essence of Infinity goes unnoticed. It makes no sound and has no flavor and yet It is the inexhaustible source of the manifestations of all sounds and all flavors.

Wu But the words of Tao possess lasting effects, Though they are mild and flavourless, Though they appeal neither to the eye nor the ear.

Ch. 35	Sentence 2
Beck	Music and delicacies to eat induce travelers to stay.
Blackney	At music and viands The wayfarer stops.
Bynner	As when, in a friendly place, Sure of hearty care, A traveler gladly waits.
Byrn	Where there is music and good food, people will stop to enjoy it.
Chan	When there are music and dainties, Passing strangers will stay.
Cleary	When there is music and dining, passing travelers stop;
Crowley	Sweet sounds and cakes lure the traveler from his way.
Hansen	Concerts and feasts bring passing guests to a halt.
LaFargue	or music and cakes, passing strangers stop
Legge	Music and dainties will make the passing guest stop (for a time).
Lindauer	Music and handing out dainties Passing guests stop
LinYutan	Offer good things to eat And the wayfarer stays.
Mabry	Music and good food lure passers-by But words about the Tao Seem bland and flavourless to them.
McDonald	Sound of music, smell of good dishes will make the passing stranger pause. Yes, offer music and dainties, very good things to eat and the [odd], passing and wayfaring stranger will stays.
Merel	If you offer music and food Strangers may stop with you;
Mitchell	Music or the smell of good cooking may make people stop and enjoy.
Muller	It is for food and music that the passing traveler stops.
Red Pine	fine food and song detain passing guests
Ta-Kao	Music and dainties will make the passing stranger stop.
Walker	Most travelers are drawn to music and good food.
Wieger	Music and good cheer may hold up a passer-by for but a night, (since sensual pleasures are fleeting and leave nothing behind).
World	The manifestations of music and delicious foodcatch the attention of those passing by.
Wu	Music and dainty dishes can only make a passing guest pause.

Ch. 35	Sentence 3
Beck	But the Way is mild to the taste. Looked at, it is invisible. Listened to, it is inaudible. Applied, it is inexhaustible.
Blackney	But the Way, when declared, Seems thin and so flavourless! It is nothing to look at And nothing to hear; But used, it will prove Inexhaustible.
Bynner	Though it may not taste like food And he may not see the fare Or hear the sound of plates, How endless it is and how good!
Byrn	But words spoken of the Tao seem to them boring and stale. When looked at, there is nothing for them to see. When listen for, there is nothing for them to hear. Yet if they put it to use, it would never be exhausted.
Chan	But the words uttered by Tao, How insipid and tasteless! We look at it; it is imperceptible. We listen to it; it is inaudible. We use it; it is inexhaustible.
Cleary	but the issue of the Way is so plain as to be flavorless. When you look at it, it is invisible; when you listen to it, it is inaudible; when you use it, it cannot be exhausted.
Crowley	But the Word of the Dao, though it appear harsh and insipid, unworthy to hearken or behold, has this use all inexhaustible.
Hansen	Guidance coming out of the mouth. Isn't it bland? It lacks flavour. Looking at it, it is not visible. Listen to it, it is not audible. Use it, it is not applicable.
LaFargue	Tao flowing from the lips - flat. No taste to it. Look for it: you will not be satisfied looking listen for it: you will not be satisfied listening put it into practice: you will not be satisfied stopping.
Legge	But though the Tao as it comes from the mouth, seems insipid and has no flavour, though it seems not worth being looked at or listened to, the use of it is inexhaustible.
Lindauer	Things belonging with tao expressed Its blandness is equal to its lack of flavor. Observing lacks enough sight Listening lacks enough hearing Using lacks enough grasp.
LinYutan	But Tao is mild to the taste. Looked at, it cannot be seen; Listened to, it cannot be heard; Applied, its supply never fails.
Mabry	Look, and it cannot be seen. Listen, and it cannot be heard. Use it, and it cannot be exhausted.
McDonald	How different the words that dao gives forth! So thin, insipid, so flavour- or tasteless! Still dao is mild to the taste. Looked at, it can't be seen. So look at dao; it's quite imperceptible. If one looks for dao, there's hardly anything solid to see. If one listens for it, there's nothing loud to hear. We listen to this inaudible [thing]. If one uses it, its supply never fails. So use it; it's inexhaustible.
Merel	The Way lacks art and flavour; It can neither be seen nor heard, But its benefit cannot be exhausted.
Mitchell	But words that point to the Tao seem monotonous and without flavour. When you look for it, there is nothing to see. When you listen for it, there is nothing to hear. When you use it, it is inexhaustible.
Muller	When the Tao appears from its opening It is so subtle, it has no taste. Look at it, you cannot see it. Listen, you cannot hear it. Use it You cannot exhaust it.
Red Pine	when the Tao speaks it's senseless and plain we look and don't see it we listen and don't hear it
Ta-Kao	But Tao when uttered in words is so pure and void of flavour When one looks at it, one cannot see it; When one listens to it, one cannot hear it. However, when one uses it, it is inexhaustible. But we use it without end
Walker	When Tao is talked about, the words can seem bland and flavourless. Looked at, it may not catch the eye. Listened to, it might not seduce the ear. Used, it can never be exhausted.
Wieger	Whereas the exposition of the great principle of disinterested devotion, simple and gentle, which charms neither the eyes nor the ears, pleases, engraves itself, and is of an inexhaustible fecundity in matters of practical application.
World	But the essence of Infinity goes unnoticed. It makes no sound and has no flavor and yet It is the inexhaustible source of the manifestations of all sounds and all flavors.
Wu	But the words of Tao possess lasting effects, Though they are mild and flavourless, Though they appeal neither to the eye nor the ear.