Tao Teh Ching - 60 Interactive Versions

#Click on a sentence 1 2 3 4 Chapter 64 Chapter 66 Back to index #

Ch. 65	Sentence 1
Beck	The ancients who ruled skillfully did not try to enlighten people but kept them in the dark.
Blackney	Those ancients who were skilled in the Way Did not enlighten people by their rule But had them ever held in ignorance:
Bynner	Sound old rulers, it is said, Left people to themselves, instead Of wanting to teach everything And start the people arguing.
Byrn	The ancient Masters who understood the way of the Tao, did not educate people, but made them forget.
Chan	In ancient times those who practiced Tao well Did not seek to enlighten people, but to make them ignorant.
Cleary	In ancient times, good practitioners of the Way did not use it to enlighten the people, but to make them unsophisticated.
Crowley	They of old time that were skilled in the Dao sought not to enlighten the people, but to keep them simple.
Hansen	Those in ancient times who were good at deem-acting on a guide Did not to use it to make the people discerning but to make them stupid.
LaFargue	Those Excellent at doing Tao in ancient times - it was not to enlighten the people, but to keep them stupid.
Legge	The ancients who showed their skill in practicing the Tao did so, not to enlighten the people, but rather to make them simple and ignorant.
Lindauer	Those ancients who valued acting in tao Did not come to be luminous People attaining it came to be foolish.
LinYutan	The ancients who knew how to follow the Tao Aimed not to enlighten the people. But to keep them ignorant.
Mabry	In ancient times those who followed the Tao Did not try to educate the people. They chose to let them be.
McDonald	In old times those who practised a dao well, did hardly aim to enlighten people, but to make them ignorant and hold them that way.
Merel	The ancients did not seek to rule people with knowledge, But to help them become natural.
Mitchell	The ancient Masters didn't try to educate the people, but kindly taught them to not-know.
Muller	The ancients who were skilful at the Tao Did not illuminate the people But rather kept them simple.
Red Pine	The ancient masters of the Way tried not to enlighten but to keep men in the dark
Ta-Kao	In olden times the best practicers of Tao did not use it to awaken the people to knowledge, But used it to restore them to simplicity.
Walker	In ancient times those who practiced Tao didn't want to enlighten people, but to keep them natural and simple.
Wieger	In antiquity, those who conformed themselves to the Principle did not seek to make the people clever, but aimed at keeping them simple.
World	From time immemorial the sage has not tried to teach oneness but has embedded peace and harmony in the openness of a simple life.
Wu	In the old days, those who were well versed in the practice of the Tao did not try to enlighten the people, but rather to keep them in a state of simplicity.

Ch. 65 Sentence 2

Beck People are hard to lead when they are too clever. Those who lead with cleverness rob the country. Those who lead without cleverness bless the country.

Blackney The more the folk know what is going on The harder it becomes to govern them. For public knowledge of the government Is such a thief that it will spoil the realm; But when good fortune brings good times to all The land is ruled without publicity.

Bynner With mere instruction in command, So that people understand Less than they know, woe is the land; But happy the land that is ordered so

Byrn Smart people are difficult to guide, because they think they are too clever. To use cleverness to rule a country, is to lead the country to ruin. To avoid cleverness in ruling a country, is to lead the country to prosperity.

Chan People are difficult to govern because they have too much knowledge. Therefore he who rules the state through knowledge is a robber of the state; He who rules a state not through knowledge is a blessing to the state.

Cleary When people are unruly, it is because of their sophistication. So to govern a country by cunning is to rob the country. Not using cunning to govern a country is good fortune for the country.

Crowley The difficulty of government is the vain knowledge of the people. To use cleverness in government is to scourge the kingdom; to use simplicity is to anoint it.

Hansen People's being hard to govern comes from their knowing how to do too much. Hence to use know-how to govern a state is the thief of the state. Not to use know-how to govern a state is the blessing of the state.

LaFargue The difficulty in governing the people - because of their knowledge. Yes: By "Knowledge!" govern the state - a crime against the state. By "Ignorance!" govern the state - a boon to the state.

Legge The difficulty in governing the people arises from their having much knowledge. He who (tries to) govern a state by his wisdom is a scourge to it; while he who does not (try to) do so is a blessing.

Lindauer The difficulty with governing people? It happens that what is wise is abundant. So if it happens that wisdom governs the nation It is the enemy of the nation If it does not happen that wisdom governs the nation It is the good luck of the nation

LinYutan The reason it is difficult for the people to leave in peace Is because of too much knowledge. Those who seek to rule a country by knowledge Are the nation's curse. Those who seek not to rule a country by knowledge Are the nation's blessing.

Mabry The reason people become hard to govern Is that they think they know it all. So, if a leader tries to lead through cleverness, He is nothing but a liability. But if a leader leads, not through cleverness, but through goodness, this is a blessing to all.

McDonald It seems that the more knowledge people have, the harder they are to rule. Maybe it's hard for people to live in peace due to very much knowledge. So he who rules the state through knowledge is robber of the state; and who seek to rule by giving knowledge could be like [coming] bandits preying on the land. Maybe all who seek to rule by knowledge form the nation's curse, eventually. He who rules a state not through knowledge is a blessing. Those who seek not to rule by knowledge, are the nation's blessing. To rule without giving knowledge could bring a stock of good fortune to the land. [And maybe not.]

Merel It is difficult for knowledgeable people to become natural. To use law to control a nation weakens the nation. But to use nature to control a nation strengthens the nation.

Mitchell When they think that they know the answers, people are difficult to guide. When they know that they don't know, people can find their own way. If you want to learn how to govern, avoid being clever or rich. The simplest pattern is the clearest.

Muller When the people are difficult to rule It is because of their cleverness. Therefore If you use cleverness to rule the state You are a robber of the state. If you don't use cleverness to rule the state You are a blessing to the state.

Red Pine what makes the people hard to rule is knowledge who rules the realm with knowledge spreads evil in the realm who rules without knowledge spreads virtue in the realm

Ta-Kao People are difficult to govern because they have much knowledge. Therefore to govern the country by increasing the people's knowledge is to be the destroyer of the country; To govern the country by decreasing their knowledge is to be the blessers of the country.

Walker When cleverness and intellect abound, people don't do well. A leader who governs with cleverness cheats his people. A leader who governs with simplicity is a blessing to his people.

Wieger When people are difficult to govern, it is because they know too much. Those who claim to procure the good of a country by disseminating instruction, are wrong, and ruin the country.

World Why is it so hard to rule? Because people are at one with their leaders. Leaders who use cleverness are confronted with more cleverness.Cleverness only manifests confusion. Those who flow in the peace and harmony of oneness lead without attempting cleverness and are a blessing to everyone.

Wu For, why are the people hard to govern? Because they are too clever! Therefore, he who governs his state with cleverness is its malefactor; but he who governs his state without resorting to cleverness is its benefactor.

Ch. 65 Sentence 3

Beck Understanding these two is to know the eternal standard. Knowing the eternal standard is mystical power.

Blackney To know the difference between these two Involves a standard to be sought and found. To know that standard always, everywhere, Is mystic Virtue, justly known as such;

Bynner That they understand more than they know. For everyone's good this double key Locks and unlocks equally.

Byrn Knowing the two alternatives is a pattern. Remaining aware of the pattern is a virtue.

Chan One who knows these two things also (knows) the standard. Always to know the standard is called profound and secret virtue.

Cleary Too know these two is also a model. Being always aware of the model is called hidden virtue.

Crowley Know these things, and make them your law and your example. To possess this Law is the Secret Perfection of rule.

Hansen Those who know to do these two things are also evaluated models. To treat knowing to follow evaluated models as constant, This is called obscure virtuosity.

LaFargue Always: To understand these two lines, is also to understand the Ideal Pattern. Always: To understand the Ideal Pattern, is to have mysterious Te.

Legge He who knows these two things finds in them also his model and rule. Ability to know this model and rule constitutes what we call the mysterious excellence (of a governor).

Lindauer Those who know both these things Also investigate the patterns of entireness To know and investigate patterns is appropriately called insightful ideal.

LinYutan Those who know these two (principles) Also know the ancient standard, And to know always the ancient standard Is called the Mystic Virtue.

Mabry To be always conscious of the Great Pattern is a spiritual virtue.

McDonald One who knows these two things also (sets) the standard. Always to know such an old standard is called to of the deep, secret calibre.

Merel Understanding these two paths is understanding subtlety;

Mitchell

Muller If you understand these two points, you know the proper norm for governing To be continuously understanding the proper norm is called Mysterious Virtue.

Red Pine who understands these two understands the universal key this is called Dark Virtue

Ta-Kao To be acquainted with these two ways is to know the standard; To keep the standard always in mind is to have sublime virtue.

Walker These are the two alternatives. Understanding them is subtle insight.

Wieger This is the formula of mysterious action, of great profundity, of great bearing.

World These too are distinctions, cleverness and non-action. Realizing these two are distinctions focuses one on the oneness of Infinity and away from confusion.

Wu To know these principles is to possess a rule and a measure. To keep the rule and the measure constantly in your mind is what we call Mystical Virtue.

Ch. 65 Sentence 4

Beck Mystical power is deep and far-reaching, leading all things to return to perfect harmony.

Blackney Which Virtue is so deep and reaching far, It causes a return, things go back To that prime concord which at first all shared.

Bynner If modern man would use it, he Could find old wisdom in his heart And clear his vision enough to see From start to finish and finish to start The circle rounding perfectly.

Byrn This dark and mysterious virtue is profound. It is opposite our natural inclination, but leads to harmony with the heavens.

Chan Virtue becomes deep and far-reaching, And with it all things return to their original state. Then complete harmony will be reached.

Cleary Hidden virtue is deep, far-reaching, in contrast to ordinary people. Only when it i thus does it reach great accord.

Crowley Profound and Extended is this Perfection; he that possesses it is indeed contrary to the rest, but he attracts them to full accordance.

Hansen Obscure virtuosity becomes deep! Becomes distant! Becomes the reversal of natural kinds. After it is so, then it achieves great flow.

LaFargue Mysterious Te is deep, far-reaching, in opposition to things - only afterward comes the Great Harmony.

Legge Deep and far-reaching is such mysterious excellence, showing indeed its possessor as opposite to others, but leading them to a great conformity to him.

Lindauer Insightful ideal goes with the penetrating, with the far-reaching With it things go with turning back And will reach the great alignment.

LinYutan When the Mystic Virtue becomes clear, far-reaching, And things revert back (to their source) Then and then only emerges the Grand Harmony.

Mabry Spiritual virtue is awesome and infinite And it leads all tings back to their Source. Then there emerges the Great Harmony.

McDonald When such secret virtue becomes clear, outgoing, far-reaching, and lets things revert back to some guessed at source, all related things could return to some natural state. It could go all the way back to [brutal] concord and harmony.

Merel Subtlety runs deep, ranges wide, Resolves confusion and preserves peace.

Mitchell Content with an ordinary life, you can show all people the way back to their own true nature.

Muller How deep and far-reaching Mysterious Virtue is! It makes all return Until they reach the Great Norm.

Red Pine Dark Virtue goes deep goes far goes the other way until it reaches perfect harmony

Ta-Kao Sublime virtue is infinitely deep and wide. It goes reverse to all things; And so it attains perfect peace.

Walker The use of subtle insight brings all things back into the oneness.

Wieger It is not to the taste of (the curious) but, thanks to it, everything turns out well, peacefully.

World Staying centered in the oneness that permeates Infinity manifests peace and harmony.

Wu Deep and far-reaching is Mystical Virtue! It leads all things to return, till they come back to Great Harmony!

Ch. 65	Sentence 2
Beck	People are hard to lead when they are too clever. Those who lead with cleverness rob the country. Those who lead without cleverness bless the country.
Blackney	The more the folk know what is going on The harder it becomes to govern them. For public knowledge of the government Is such a thief that it will spoil the realm; But when good fortune brings good times to all The land is ruled without publicity.
Bynner	With mere instruction in command, So that people understand Less than they know, woe is the land; But happy the land that is ordered so
Byrn	Smart people are difficult to guide, because they think they are too clever. To use cleverness to rule a country, is to lead the country to ruin. To avoid cleverness in ruling a country, is to lead the country to prosperity.
Chan	People are difficult to govern because they have too much knowledge. Therefore he who rules the state through knowledge is a robber of the state; He who rules a state not through knowledge is a blessing to the state.
Cleary	When people are unruly, it is because of their sophistication. So to govern a country by cunning is to rob the country. Not using cunning to govern a country is good fortune for the country.
Crowley	The difficulty of government is the vain knowledge of the people. To use cleverness in government is to scourge the kingdom; to use simplicity is to anoint it.
Hansen	People's being hard to govern comes from their knowing how to do too much. Hence to use know-how to govern a state is the thief of the state. Not to use know-how to govern a state is the blessing of the state.
LaFargue	The difficulty in governing the people - because of their knowledge. Yes: By "Knowledge!" govern the state - a crime against the state. By "Ignorance!" govern the state - a boon to the state.
Legge	The difficulty in governing the people arises from their having much knowledge. He who (tries to) govern a state by his wisdom is a scourge to it; while he who does not (try to) do so is a blessing.
Lindauer	The difficulty with governing people? It happens that what is wise is abundant. So if it happens that wisdom governs the nation It is the enemy of the nation If it does not happen that wisdom governs the nation It is the good luck of the nation
LinYutan	The reason it is difficult for the people to leave in peace Is because of too much knowledge. Those who seek to rule a country by knowledge Are the nation's curse. Those who seek not to rule a country by knowledge Are the nation's blessing.
Mabry	The reason people become hard to govern Is that they think they know it all. So, if a leader tries to lead through cleverness, He is nothing but a liability. But if a leader leads, not through cleverness, but through goodness, this is a blessing to all.
McDonald	It seems that the more knowledge people have, the harder they are to rule. Maybe it's hard for people to live in peace due to very much knowledge. So he who rules the state through knowledge is robber of the state; and who seek to rule by giving knowledge could be like [coming] bandits preying on the land. Maybe all who seek to rule by knowledge form the nation's curse, eventually. He who rules a state not through knowledge is a blessing. Those who seek not to rule by knowledge, are the nation's blessing. To rule without giving knowledge could bring a stock of good fortune to the land. [And maybe not.]
Merel	It is difficult for knowledgeable people to become natural. To use law to control a nation weakens the nation. But to use nature to control a nation strengthens the nation.
Mitchell	When they think that they know the answers, people are difficult to guide. When they know that they don't know, people can find their own way. If you want to learn how to govern, avoid being clever or rich. The simplest pattern is the clearest.
Muller	When the people are difficult to rule It is because of their cleverness. Therefore If you use cleverness to rule the state You are a robber of the state. If you don't use cleverness to rule the state You are a blessing to the state.
Red Pine	what makes the people hard to rule is knowledge who rules the realm with knowledge spreads evil in the realm who rules without knowledge spreads virtue in the realm
Ta-Kao	People are difficult to govern because they have much knowledge. Therefore to govern the country by increasing the people's knowledge is to be the destroyer of the country; To govern the country by decreasing their knowledge is to be the blessers of the country.
Walker	When cleverness and intellect abound, people don't do well. A leader who governs with cleverness cheats his people. A leader who governs with simplicity is a blessing to his people.
Wieger	When people are difficult to govern, it is because they know too much. Those who claim to procure the good of a country by disseminating instruction, are wrong, and ruin the country.
World	Why is it so hard to rule? Because people are at one with their leaders. Leaders who use cleverness are confronted with more cleverness.Cleverness only manifests confusion. Those who flow in the peace and harmony of oneness lead without attempting cleverness and are a blessing to everyone.
Wu	For, why are the people hard to govern? Because they are too clever! Therefore, he who governs his state with cleverness is its malefactor; but he who governs his state without resorting to cleverness is its benefactor.

Ch. 65	Sentence 3
Beck	Understanding these two is to know the eternal standard. Knowing the eternal standard is mystical power.
Blackney	To know the difference between these two Involves a standard to be sought and found. To know that standard always, everywhere, Is mystic Virtue, justly known as such;
Bynner	That they understand more than they know. For everyone's good this double key Locks and unlocks equally.
Byrn	Knowing the two alternatives is a pattern. Remaining aware of the pattern is a virtue.
Chan	One who knows these two things also (knows) the standard. Always to know the standard is called profound and secret virtue.
Cleary	Too know these two is also a model. Being always aware of the model is called hidden virtue.
Crowley	Know these things, and make them your law and your example. To possess this Law is the Secret Perfection of rule.
Hansen	Those who know to do these two things are also evaluated models. To treat knowing to follow evaluated models as constant, This is called obscure virtuosity.
LaFargue	Always: To understand these two lines, is also to understand the Ideal Pattern. Always: To understand the Ideal Pattern, is to have mysterious Te.
Legge	He who knows these two things finds in them also his model and rule. Ability to know this model and rule constitutes what we call the mysterious excellence (of a governor).
Lindauer	Those who know both these things Also investigate the patterns of entireness To know and investigate patterns is appropriately called insightful ideal.
LinYutan	Those who know these two (principles) Also know the ancient standard, And to know always the ancient standard Is called the Mystic Virtue.
Mabry	To be always conscious of the Great Pattern is a spiritual virtue.
McDonald	One who knows these two things also (sets) the standard. Always to know such an old standard is called to of the deep, secret calibre.
Merel	Understanding these two paths is understanding subtlety;
Mitchell
Muller	If you understand these two points, you know the proper norm for governing To be continuously understanding the proper norm is called Mysterious Virtue.
Red Pine	who understands these two understands the universal key this is called Dark Virtue
Ta-Kao	To be acquainted with these two ways is to know the standard; To keep the standard always in mind is to have sublime virtue.
Walker	These are the two alternatives. Understanding them is subtle insight.
Wieger	This is the formula of mysterious action, of great profundity, of great bearing.
World	These too are distinctions, cleverness and non-action. Realizing these two are distinctions focuses one on the oneness of Infinity and away from confusion.
Wu	To know these principles is to possess a rule and a measure. To keep the rule and the measure constantly in your mind is what we call Mystical Virtue.

Ch. 65	Sentence 4
Beck	Mystical power is deep and far-reaching, leading all things to return to perfect harmony.
Blackney	Which Virtue is so deep and reaching far, It causes a return, things go back To that prime concord which at first all shared.
Bynner	If modern man would use it, he Could find old wisdom in his heart And clear his vision enough to see From start to finish and finish to start The circle rounding perfectly.
Byrn	This dark and mysterious virtue is profound. It is opposite our natural inclination, but leads to harmony with the heavens.
Chan	Virtue becomes deep and far-reaching, And with it all things return to their original state. Then complete harmony will be reached.
Cleary	Hidden virtue is deep, far-reaching, in contrast to ordinary people. Only when it i thus does it reach great accord.
Crowley	Profound and Extended is this Perfection; he that possesses it is indeed contrary to the rest, but he attracts them to full accordance.
Hansen	Obscure virtuosity becomes deep! Becomes distant! Becomes the reversal of natural kinds. After it is so, then it achieves great flow.
LaFargue	Mysterious Te is deep, far-reaching, in opposition to things - only afterward comes the Great Harmony.
Legge	Deep and far-reaching is such mysterious excellence, showing indeed its possessor as opposite to others, but leading them to a great conformity to him.
Lindauer	Insightful ideal goes with the penetrating, with the far-reaching With it things go with turning back And will reach the great alignment.
LinYutan	When the Mystic Virtue becomes clear, far-reaching, And things revert back (to their source) Then and then only emerges the Grand Harmony.
Mabry	Spiritual virtue is awesome and infinite And it leads all tings back to their Source. Then there emerges the Great Harmony.
McDonald	When such secret virtue becomes clear, outgoing, far-reaching, and lets things revert back to some guessed at source, all related things could return to some natural state. It could go all the way back to [brutal] concord and harmony.
Merel	Subtlety runs deep, ranges wide, Resolves confusion and preserves peace.
Mitchell	Content with an ordinary life, you can show all people the way back to their own true nature.
Muller	How deep and far-reaching Mysterious Virtue is! It makes all return Until they reach the Great Norm.
Red Pine	Dark Virtue goes deep goes far goes the other way until it reaches perfect harmony
Ta-Kao	Sublime virtue is infinitely deep and wide. It goes reverse to all things; And so it attains perfect peace.
Walker	The use of subtle insight brings all things back into the oneness.
Wieger	It is not to the taste of (the curious) but, thanks to it, everything turns out well, peacefully.
World	Staying centered in the oneness that permeates Infinity manifests peace and harmony.
Wu	Deep and far-reaching is Mystical Virtue! It leads all things to return, till they come back to Great Harmony!