Tao Teh Ching - 60 Interactive Versions

#Click on a sentence 1 2 3 4 Chapter 68 Chapter 70 Back to index #

Ch. 69	Sentence 1
Beck	The strategists say, "Do not be the aggressor but the defender. Do not advance an inch, but retreat a foot instead."
Blackney	The strategists have a saying: "If I cannot be host, Then let me be guest. But if I dare not advance Even an inch, Then let me retire a foot."
Bynner	The handbook of the strategist has said: 'Do not invite the fight, accept it instead,' 'Better a foot behind than an inch too far ahead,'
Byrn	There is an old saying: "It is better to become the passive in order to see what will happen. It is better to retreat a foot than to advance only an inch."
Chan	The strategists say: "I dare not take the offensive but I take the defensive; I dare not advance an inch but I retreat a foot."
Cleary	There are sayings on the use of arms: "Let us not be aggressors, but defend." "Let us not advance an inch, but retreat a foot."
Crowley	A great strategist said: 'I dare not take the offensive. I prefer the defensive. I dare not advance an inch; I prefer to retreat a foot.'
Hansen	There are slogans for using armies. "I don't presume to deem-act as lord and deem-act as guest. Don't presume to advance an inch and withdraw a foot."
LaFargue	Military men have a saying: "I do not presume to act as master, I act as guest I do not presume to advance an inch, I retreat a foot."
Legge	A master of the art of war has said, 'I do not dare to be the host (to commence the war); I prefer to be the guest (to act on the defensive). I do not dare to advance an inch; I prefer to retire a foot.'
Lindauer	Strategists possess words I am without venturing to act as lord yet act as guest Without venturing to enter an inch yet fall back a foot.
LinYutan	There is the maxim of military strategists; I dare not be the first to invade, but rather be the invaded. Dare not press forward an inch, but rather retreat a foot.
Mabry	The military has a saying: "I would rather be passive, like a guest than agressive, like a host. I would rather retreat a foot than advance an inch."
McDonald	The strategists say: "If I dare not be the guest, then let me be the host. When I dare not take the offensive, then I'll take the defensive. If you doubt your ability to advance, then retreat." Also: "When you doubt your ability to meet the enemy's attack, take the offensive yourself."
Merel	There is a saying among soldiers: It is easier to lose a yard than take an inch.
Mitchell	The generals have a saying: "Rather than make the first move it is better to wait and see. Rather than advance an inch it is better to retreat a yard."
Muller	Strategists have a saying: "I prefer to be able to move, rather than be in a fixed position Prefer to retreat a foot rather than advancing an inch."
Red Pine	In warfare there is a saying rather than a host better to be a guest rather than advance an inch better to retreat a foot
Ta-Kao	An ancient tactician has said: 'I dare not act as a host but would rather act as a guest; I dare not advance an inch but would rather retreat a foot.'
Walker	In conflict it is better to be receptive than aggressive, better to retreat a foot than advance an inch.
Wieger	Rather be on the defensive than the offensive, rather retreat a step than advance an inch, are current principles of military art. It is worth more to yield than to triumph. Prevention (of war) through diplomacy is worth even more.
World	There is a saying among generals, It is better not to begin the battle but to wait for the other side to begin. It is better to retreat a foot rather than advance an inch.
Wu	The strategists have a saying: I dare not be a host, but rather a guest; I dare not advance an inch, but rather retreat a foot.

Ch. 69 Sentence 2

Beck This is movement without moving, stretching the arm without showing it, confronting enemies with the idea there is no enemy, holding in the hand no weapons.

Blackney This is what they call A campaign without a march, Sleeves up but no bare arms, Shooting but no enemies, Or arming without weapons.

Bynner Which means: Look a man straight in the face and make no move, Roll up your sleeve and clench no fist, Open your hand and show no weapon, Bare your breast and find no foe.

Byrn This is called being flexible while advancing, pushing back without using force, and destroying the enemy without engaging him.

Chan This means: To march without formation, To stretch one's arm without showing it, To confront enemies without seeming to meet them, To hold weapons without seeming to have them.

Cleary This is called carrying out no action, shaking no arm, facing no enemy, wielding no weapon.

Crowley Place therefore the army where there is no army; prepare for action where there is no conflict; advance against the enemy where the enemy is not.

Hansen This is called "carrying out not carrying out. Bearing non-existent arms; Throwing against non-existent enemies. Controlling non-existing armies."

LaFargue This is like "going forward without going forward rolling up the sleeves but baring no arm attacking without showing hostility drawing with no sword."

Legge This is called marshalling the ranks where there are no ranks; baring the arms (to fight) where there are no arms to bare; grasping the weapon where there is no weapon to grasp; advancing against the enemy where there is no enemy.

Lindauer Appropriately called Going absent of going Grabbing absent of an arm Throwing absent of opposition Taking hold of absent of an enemy.

LinYutan That is, to march without formations, To roll up the sleeves, To charge not in frontal attacks, To arm without weapons.

Mabry This is called going forward without instigating. Engaging without force Defense without hatred Victory without weapons.

McDonald Much of this his implies to march without visible formations; its in part like rolling up the sleeve, and yet presenting no bare arm. Or it could be like stretching your arm without showing the sleeves. Confront well, present no battle-front yourself. Refrain from charging in frontal attacks, and seem to be armed without weapons. [Let that come as a surprise.] Hold a thousand weapons without seeming to have them.

Merel In this manner one may deploy troops without marshalling them, Bring weapons to bear without exposing them, Engage the foe without invading them, And exhaust their strength without fighting them.

Mitchell This is called going forward without advancing, pushing back without using weapons.

Muller This is called progress without advancing; Preparing without showing off; Smashing where there is no defence; Taking him without a fight.

Red Pine this means to form no column to wear no armour to brandish no weapon to repulse no enemy

Ta-Kao This implies that he does not marshal the ranks as if there were no ranks; He does not roll up his sleeves as if he had no arms; He does not seize as if he had no weapons; He does not fight as if there were no enemies.

Walker This is called moving ahead without advancing, capturing the enemy without attacking him.

Wieger That is the meaning of certain abstruse formulae of military art, such as: advancing without marching; defending oneself without moving an arm; status quo without fighting; holding on without weapons; and others.

World This is called advancing while appearing to retreat, preparing to fight by concealing your power, winning the battle without engaging the enemy, and brandishing non-existent weapons.

Wu This is called marching without moving, Rolling up one's sleeves without baring one's arms, Capturing the enemy without confronting him, Holding a weapon that is invisible.

Ch. 69 Sentence 3

Beck No disaster is greater than underestimating the enemy.

Blackney Than helpless enemies, nothing is worse: To them I lose my treasures.

Bynner But as long as there be a foe, value him, respect him, measure him, be humble toward him; Let him not strip from you, however strong he be, Compassion, the one wealth which can afford him.

Byrn There is no greater disaster than underestimating your enemy. Underestimating your enemy means losing your greatest assets.

Chan There is no greater disaster than to make light the enemy.

Cleary No calamity is greater than underestimating opponents. If you underestimate opponents, you're close to losing your treasure.

Crowley There is no error so great as to engage in battle without sufficient force. To do so is to risk losing the gentleness which is beyond price.

Hansen No disaster is greater than taking an enemy lightly. Taking an enemy lightly almost brings my treasures to grief.

LaFargue Nothing brings greater disaster than the motto: "The enemy is nothing." Thinking, "the enemy is nothing": close to losing my Treasure.

Legge There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war. To do that is near losing (the gentleness) which is so precious.

Lindauer No misfortune is greater than relating to light opposition Light opposition severs and destroys my principles.

LinYutan There is no greater catastrophe than to underestimate the enemy.

Mabry There is no greater calamity than underestimating the enemy. If I take my enemy too lightly, I am in danger of losing my compassion, moderation, and non-competitive spirit.

McDonald Now, great calamity comes from making light of an enemy. There's no greater catastrophe than if a foolishly underestimated enemy robs and destroys your most cherished treasures. It could even destroy your topmost treasure, your old, dear body. Refrain from having an enemy at the price of losing your body and life. Remember: He whose enemy presents no front, could lose his booty.

Merel There is no worse disaster than misunderstanding your enemy; To do so endangers all of my treasures;

Mitchell There is no greater misfortune than underestimating your enemy. Underestimating your enemy means thinking that he is evil. Thus you destroy your three treasures and become an enemy yourself.

Muller There is no greater danger than under-estimating your opponent. If I under-estimate my opponent I will lose that which is most dear.

Red Pine no fate is worse than to have no enemy without an enemy we would lose our treasure

Ta-Kao No calamity is greater than under-estimating the enemy. To under-estimate the enemy is to be on the point of losing our treasure (love).

Walker There is no greater misfortune than underestimating your opponent. To underestimate your opponent is to forsake your three treasures.

Wieger There is no worse curse than a war waged with little or no reason, (which is sought-after deliberately, and pushed beyond necessary limits).

World There is nothing worse than distinguishing others as enemies. By distinguishing others as enemies, I lose sight of my oneness and become confused in conflict and war.

Wu There is no greater calamity than to under-estimate the strength of your enemy. For to under-estimate the strength of your enemy is to lose your treasure.

Ch. 69 Sentence 4

Beck Underestimating the enemy will destroy my treasures. Thus when the battle is joined, it is the kind who will win.

Blackney When opposing enemies meet, The compassionate man is the winner!

Bynner

Byrn When equal forces meet in battle, victory will go to the one that enters with the greatest sorrow.

Chan Therefore when armies are mobilized and issues joined, The man who is sorry over the fact will win.

Cleary So when opposing armies clash, the compassionate are the ones who win.

Crowley Thus, when the lines actually engage, he who regrets the necessity is the victor.

Hansen Inherently, opposing armies strengthen each other. Grieving then wins.

LaFargue Yes, when they cross weapons and attack each other the one in mourning will win.

Legge Thus it is that when opposing weapons are (actually) crossed, he who deplores (the situation) conquers.

Lindauer So when opposing strategies escalate each other Conquering goes with those who mourn.

LinYutan To underestimate the enemy might entail the loss of my treasures. Therefore when two equally matched armies meet, It is the man of sorrow who wins.

Mabry So, when two armies confront each other Victory will go to them that grieve.

McDonald Therefore when armies meet, the kind-looking man of sorrows could win [by such as surprise tactics. But often it's the opposite that happens.] Who doesn't delight in warfare in the open, he wins. [And most often not?]

Merel So when two well matched forces oppose each other, The general who maintains compassion will win.

Mitchell When two great forces oppose each other, the victory will go to the one that knows how to yield.

Muller Therefore When opponents clash The one who is sorry about it will be the winner.

Red Pine thus when opponents are evenly matched the remorseful one prevails

Ta-Kao Therefore when opposing armies meet in the field the ruthful will win.

Walker When opposing forces are engaged in conflict, the one who fights with sorrow will triumph.

Wieger He who does that, exposes his own goods to loss, and causes great mourning.

World So when war seems imminent, the victor refuses to embrace killing.

Wu Therefore, when opposing troops meet in battle, victory belongs to the grieving side.

Ch. 69	Sentence 2
Beck	This is movement without moving, stretching the arm without showing it, confronting enemies with the idea there is no enemy, holding in the hand no weapons.
Blackney	This is what they call A campaign without a march, Sleeves up but no bare arms, Shooting but no enemies, Or arming without weapons.
Bynner	Which means: Look a man straight in the face and make no move, Roll up your sleeve and clench no fist, Open your hand and show no weapon, Bare your breast and find no foe.
Byrn	This is called being flexible while advancing, pushing back without using force, and destroying the enemy without engaging him.
Chan	This means: To march without formation, To stretch one's arm without showing it, To confront enemies without seeming to meet them, To hold weapons without seeming to have them.
Cleary	This is called carrying out no action, shaking no arm, facing no enemy, wielding no weapon.
Crowley	Place therefore the army where there is no army; prepare for action where there is no conflict; advance against the enemy where the enemy is not.
Hansen	This is called "carrying out not carrying out. Bearing non-existent arms; Throwing against non-existent enemies. Controlling non-existing armies."
LaFargue	This is like "going forward without going forward rolling up the sleeves but baring no arm attacking without showing hostility drawing with no sword."
Legge	This is called marshalling the ranks where there are no ranks; baring the arms (to fight) where there are no arms to bare; grasping the weapon where there is no weapon to grasp; advancing against the enemy where there is no enemy.
Lindauer	Appropriately called Going absent of going Grabbing absent of an arm Throwing absent of opposition Taking hold of absent of an enemy.
LinYutan	That is, to march without formations, To roll up the sleeves, To charge not in frontal attacks, To arm without weapons.
Mabry	This is called going forward without instigating. Engaging without force Defense without hatred Victory without weapons.
McDonald	Much of this his implies to march without visible formations; its in part like rolling up the sleeve, and yet presenting no bare arm. Or it could be like stretching your arm without showing the sleeves. Confront well, present no battle-front yourself. Refrain from charging in frontal attacks, and seem to be armed without weapons. [Let that come as a surprise.] Hold a thousand weapons without seeming to have them.
Merel	In this manner one may deploy troops without marshalling them, Bring weapons to bear without exposing them, Engage the foe without invading them, And exhaust their strength without fighting them.
Mitchell	This is called going forward without advancing, pushing back without using weapons.
Muller	This is called progress without advancing; Preparing without showing off; Smashing where there is no defence; Taking him without a fight.
Red Pine	this means to form no column to wear no armour to brandish no weapon to repulse no enemy
Ta-Kao	This implies that he does not marshal the ranks as if there were no ranks; He does not roll up his sleeves as if he had no arms; He does not seize as if he had no weapons; He does not fight as if there were no enemies.
Walker	This is called moving ahead without advancing, capturing the enemy without attacking him.
Wieger	That is the meaning of certain abstruse formulae of military art, such as: advancing without marching; defending oneself without moving an arm; status quo without fighting; holding on without weapons; and others.
World	This is called advancing while appearing to retreat, preparing to fight by concealing your power, winning the battle without engaging the enemy, and brandishing non-existent weapons.
Wu	This is called marching without moving, Rolling up one's sleeves without baring one's arms, Capturing the enemy without confronting him, Holding a weapon that is invisible.

Ch. 69	Sentence 3
Beck	No disaster is greater than underestimating the enemy.
Blackney	Than helpless enemies, nothing is worse: To them I lose my treasures.
Bynner	But as long as there be a foe, value him, respect him, measure him, be humble toward him; Let him not strip from you, however strong he be, Compassion, the one wealth which can afford him.
Byrn	There is no greater disaster than underestimating your enemy. Underestimating your enemy means losing your greatest assets.
Chan	There is no greater disaster than to make light the enemy.
Cleary	No calamity is greater than underestimating opponents. If you underestimate opponents, you're close to losing your treasure.
Crowley	There is no error so great as to engage in battle without sufficient force. To do so is to risk losing the gentleness which is beyond price.
Hansen	No disaster is greater than taking an enemy lightly. Taking an enemy lightly almost brings my treasures to grief.
LaFargue	Nothing brings greater disaster than the motto: "The enemy is nothing." Thinking, "the enemy is nothing": close to losing my Treasure.
Legge	There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war. To do that is near losing (the gentleness) which is so precious.
Lindauer	No misfortune is greater than relating to light opposition Light opposition severs and destroys my principles.
LinYutan	There is no greater catastrophe than to underestimate the enemy.
Mabry	There is no greater calamity than underestimating the enemy. If I take my enemy too lightly, I am in danger of losing my compassion, moderation, and non-competitive spirit.
McDonald	Now, great calamity comes from making light of an enemy. There's no greater catastrophe than if a foolishly underestimated enemy robs and destroys your most cherished treasures. It could even destroy your topmost treasure, your old, dear body. Refrain from having an enemy at the price of losing your body and life. Remember: He whose enemy presents no front, could lose his booty.
Merel	There is no worse disaster than misunderstanding your enemy; To do so endangers all of my treasures;
Mitchell	There is no greater misfortune than underestimating your enemy. Underestimating your enemy means thinking that he is evil. Thus you destroy your three treasures and become an enemy yourself.
Muller	There is no greater danger than under-estimating your opponent. If I under-estimate my opponent I will lose that which is most dear.
Red Pine	no fate is worse than to have no enemy without an enemy we would lose our treasure
Ta-Kao	No calamity is greater than under-estimating the enemy. To under-estimate the enemy is to be on the point of losing our treasure (love).
Walker	There is no greater misfortune than underestimating your opponent. To underestimate your opponent is to forsake your three treasures.
Wieger	There is no worse curse than a war waged with little or no reason, (which is sought-after deliberately, and pushed beyond necessary limits).
World	There is nothing worse than distinguishing others as enemies. By distinguishing others as enemies, I lose sight of my oneness and become confused in conflict and war.
Wu	There is no greater calamity than to under-estimate the strength of your enemy. For to under-estimate the strength of your enemy is to lose your treasure.

Ch. 69	Sentence 4
Beck	Underestimating the enemy will destroy my treasures. Thus when the battle is joined, it is the kind who will win.
Blackney	When opposing enemies meet, The compassionate man is the winner!
Bynner
Byrn	When equal forces meet in battle, victory will go to the one that enters with the greatest sorrow.
Chan	Therefore when armies are mobilized and issues joined, The man who is sorry over the fact will win.
Cleary	So when opposing armies clash, the compassionate are the ones who win.
Crowley	Thus, when the lines actually engage, he who regrets the necessity is the victor.
Hansen	Inherently, opposing armies strengthen each other. Grieving then wins.
LaFargue	Yes, when they cross weapons and attack each other the one in mourning will win.
Legge	Thus it is that when opposing weapons are (actually) crossed, he who deplores (the situation) conquers.
Lindauer	So when opposing strategies escalate each other Conquering goes with those who mourn.
LinYutan	To underestimate the enemy might entail the loss of my treasures. Therefore when two equally matched armies meet, It is the man of sorrow who wins.
Mabry	So, when two armies confront each other Victory will go to them that grieve.
McDonald	Therefore when armies meet, the kind-looking man of sorrows could win [by such as surprise tactics. But often it's the opposite that happens.] Who doesn't delight in warfare in the open, he wins. [And most often not?]
Merel	So when two well matched forces oppose each other, The general who maintains compassion will win.
Mitchell	When two great forces oppose each other, the victory will go to the one that knows how to yield.
Muller	Therefore When opponents clash The one who is sorry about it will be the winner.
Red Pine	thus when opponents are evenly matched the remorseful one prevails
Ta-Kao	Therefore when opposing armies meet in the field the ruthful will win.
Walker	When opposing forces are engaged in conflict, the one who fights with sorrow will triumph.
Wieger	He who does that, exposes his own goods to loss, and causes great mourning.
World	So when war seems imminent, the victor refuses to embrace killing.
Wu	Therefore, when opposing troops meet in battle, victory belongs to the grieving side.