Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove Notebooks, Vancouver, Washington

Chapter 58

Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) by Lao Tzu

Classic Book (Ching) about the Tao (Way, Nature, Patterns, Processes) and Te (Virtue, Potency, Power, Integrity, Wise Person, Sage)

English and Chinese (Wade-Giles) Terms: Government or Politics (chêng), Transformations According to Circumstances, Dull or Muddled (mên), Sages, Simple or Sincere or Honest (shun), Good and Bad, People (min, jên), Effortless, Searching or Prying (ch'a), Self-Regulating, Needy or Wanting (ch'üeh), Good Government, Misery or Misfortune (huo), Happiness or Luck (fu), State, Law, Sage, Less Government, Place or Home (so), Facilitate, Hidden or Concealed (fu), Adaptation to Change, Liberal Government, Know (chih), Wise Leader, Limit or End (chi), Modeling, Kindness, Correct or Standard (chêng), Cutting, Process, Facilitating, Non-Harming, Abnormal (ch'i), Hiding One's Light, Make or Do (wei), Justice, Peace, Goodness or Excellence (shan), Straightforward, Direct, Illuminate, Bright, Dazzle, Goodness, Unlucky or Sinister or Evil (yao), Confused or Deluded (mi), Rectitude, Daily (jih), Just, Strong or Firm (ku), Lasting (chiu), Upright, Holy Man or Wise Man (shêng jên), Sharp or Pointed (fang), Injure or Cut (ko), Enlightened, Corner or Angular (lien), Hurt or Injure (k'uei), Straight or True (chih), Severe or Strained (ssu), Fair, Bright or Brilliant (kuang), Shine or Flash (yao), Candor, 順化

Términos en Español: Transformaciones, Sabios, Buenos, Malos, Facilidad, Autorregulado, Buen Gobierno, Estado, Derecho, Menos Gobierno, Facilitar, Adaptación al Cambio, Gobierno Liberal, Modelando, Generosidad, Corte, Proceso, Felicidad , Justicia, Paz, Honestidad, Sencillo, Directo, Illuminate, Brillante, Bondad, Maldad, Rectitud, Iluminado, Feria, Política, Dull, Patas Arriba, Gente, Oculto, Sencilla, Sincera, Límite, En Búsqueda, Conocer, Fisgón, Necesitar, Querer, Infortunio, Felicidad, Suerte, Lugar, Hogar, Embotado, Casa, Fin, Correcta, Excelencia, Bondad, Estándar, Anormal, Hacer, Mala Suerte, Siniestro, Confundido, Engañados, Diario, Fuerte, Firme, Duradera, Santo, Puntiagudo, Herir, Agudo, Cortada, Daño, Esquina, Ángulo, Recto, Cierto, Grave, Tensa, Brillante, Brillo, Destello, Centella.

"When the ruler looks repressed the people will be happy and satisfied;
When the rule looks lively and self-assured the people will be carping and discontented.
“It is upon bad fortune that good fortune leans, upon good fortune that bad fortune rests.”
But though few know it, there is a bourn where there is neither right nor wrong;
In a realm where every straight is doubled by a crooked,
And every good by an ill, surely mankind has gone long enough astray?
Therefore the Sage
Squares without cutting,
Shapes the corners without lopping,
Straightens without stretching,
Gives forth light without shining."
- Translated by Arthur Waley, 1934, Chapter 58

"When the government is lazy and dull,
Its people are unspoiled;
When the government is efficient and smart,
Its people are discontented.
Disaster is the avenue of fortune,
And fortune is the concealment for disaster.
Who would be able to know its ultimate results?
As it is, there would never be the normal.
But the normal would immediately revert to the deceitful.
And the good revert to the sinister.
Thus long has mankind gone astray!
Therefore the Sage is square and has firm principles,
but not cutting sharp-corners,
Has integrity but does not hurt others,
Is straight, but not high-handed,
Bright, but not dazzling."
- Translated by Lin Yutang, 1948, Chapter 58

"Transformation Without Friction
Shun Hua

When the government is shrouded in gloom,
The people will be simple and honest.
When the government is sharp and officious,
The people will get disgusted and discontented.
Misfortune is what fortune leans on;
Fortune is where misfortune conceals itself.
Who can know the ultimate result?
Is there no justice?
Anyway, justice will become injustice again,
And good will turn into evil once more.
Mankind has been thus deluded for a long time.
That's why the Sage acts four-square,
But does not "cut" people to his own shape;
He has a high sense of integrity,
But is not offensive to people;
He is upright and straightforward,
But does not push people around;
He is bright and brilliant,
But does not outshine people."
- Translated by Henry Wei, 1982, Chapter 58

"Where the leader is quiet, quiet,
The people are simple and happy.
Where the leader is dishonest, dishonest,
The people are tricky and unhappy.
Bad fortune is what
good fortune leans on,
Good fortune is what
bad fortune hides in.

Who knows the final end of this process?
Is there not a normal of right?
What is normal, soon
becomes not normal,
And what is good soon
turns bad.
Long indeed have the
people been in difficulty.

The Complete Thinker:
makes even without cutting,
Is honest without hurting,
Is direct without effort,
Teaches without causing the mind to be excited."
- Translated by J. L. Trottier, 1994, Chapter 58

"Great Expectations: No rules, no regulations

When government is restrained, people are pure and simple.
When government is meddlesome, people are found wanting.

Disaster arises from good fortune.
Good fortune hides within disaster.
Who can say how things will turn out in the end?
Life is just not fair.

Normal becomes abnormal. Good becomes evil.
People are as confused as the day is long.
This is why wise people
are straight with us, but do not put us down.
Are honest but not hurtful.
Are direct but not reckless.
Are bright but not flashy.
- Translated by Amy and Roderic Sorrell, 2003, Chapter 58

"The less administration the more beneficial is the harmony.
The more administration the more unpleasant confusion grows.
Trusting letting-go produces agreement and happiness.
Decisive attempt at control causes disagreement and misfortune.
One who does not give thought to what he does turns order into disorder,
fortune into misfortune enlightenment into blinding and dazzling.
How different is the Sage:
He is just without judging.
He guides without regulating.
He is a model without deforming.
He shines without blinding."
- Translated by K. O. Schmidt, 1975, Chapter 58

"Group process evolves naturally.
It is self-regulating.
Do not interfere.
It will work itself out.
Efforts to control process usually fail.
Either they block process or make it chaotic.
Learn to trust what is happening.
If there is silence, let it grow; something will emerge.
If there is a storm, let it rage, it will resolve into calm.
Is the group discontented?
You can't make it happy.
Even if you could, your efforts might well deprive the group of a very creative struggle.
The wise leader knows how to facilitate the unfolding group process, because the leader is also a process.
The group's process and the leader's process unfold in the same way, according to the same principle.
The leader knows how to have a profound influence without making things happen.
For example, facilitating what is happening is more potent than pushing for what you wish were happening.
Demonstrating or modeling behaviour is more potent than imposing morality.
Unbiased positions are stronger than prejudice.
Radiance encourages people, but outshining everyone else inhibits them."
- Translated by John Heider, Chapter 58

"When the government is unobtrusive, the people will be simple and honest.
When the government is dictatorial, the people will be seized with panic.
Fortune depends on misfortune.
Misfortune is hidden in fortune.
He who knows how to stay within the limits will not have misfortune.
Correctness will lead to deceit.
Good will lead to evil.
Nothing can remain always the same.
People have been confused by this since ancient times.
That is why the sage
behaves correctly without hurting others,
behaves honestly without damaging others,
behaves straightforwardly without vilifying others,
behaves brightly without dazzling others."
- Translated by Chao-Hsiu Chen, Chapter 58

"When the government (cheng) is dull,
Its people are wholesome;
When the government is efficient (ch'a),
Its people are deficient (ch'üeh).
Calamities (huo) are what blessings depend on,
In blessings are latent calamities (huo).
Who knows where is the turning point (chi)?
Because there is no longer the normal (cheng),
The normal reverts and appears as the strange (ch'i),
The good reverts and appears as the uncanny.
Rulers (jen) have lost their way,
For a long stretch of days.
Therefore the sage is square but not cutting (ko),
Sharp but not injurious,
Straight but not overreaching,
Bright (kuang) but not dazzling."
- Translated by Ellen M. Chen, Chapter 58

"The government that seems the most unwise,
Oft goodness to the people best supplies;
That which is meddling, touching everything,
Will work but ill, and disappointment bring.
Misery! -happiness is to be found by its side!
Happiness! - misery lurks beneath it!
Who knows what either will come in the end?
Shall we then dispense with correction?
The method of correction shall by a turn become distortion, and the good in it shall by a turn become evil.
The delusion of the people on this point has indeed subsisted for a long time.
Therefore the sage is like a square which cuts no one with its angles:
like a corner which injures no one with its sharpness.
He is straightforward, but allows himself no license;
he is bright, but does not dazzle."
- Translated by Unbekannten, Chapter 58

"Modest, and modest will be the government, then prosperous, and prosperous will be the people!
Shrewd will be the government, then discontented, and discontented will be the people!
Catastrophe rests upon fortune.
Fortune underlies catastrophe.
Who knows the ultimate answers?
What is normal soon becomes abnormal.
What is auspicious soon becomes ominous.
Do away with dogmatism!
Indeed, it is a long, long time ago since Man lost his way of Dao!
Therefore, a Sage is:
solidly square but has no sharp corners;
purely austere but not harmful;
straightly upright but not offensive;
humbly modest but not submissive;
and harmoniously bright but not dazzling."
- Translated by Tang Zi-Chang, Chapter 58

"When the nation is ruled with a light hand,
The people are simple.
When the nation is ruled harshly,
The people are cunning.
The sage is sharp but not cutting,
pointed but not piercing,
straightforward but not unrestrained,
bright but not glittery."
- Translated by Ned Ludd, Chapter 58

"When the ruler knows his own heart the people are simple and pure
When he meddles with their lives they become restless and disturbed
Bad fortune, yes ?it rests upon good fortune
Good fortune, yes ?it hides within bad fortune
Oh the things that Heaven sends ?br> Who can know their final aim?
Who can tell of their endless ways?
Today the righteous turn to trickery
Tomorrow the good turn to darkness
Oh what delusion abounds and every day it grows worse!
But the Sage is here upon the Earth to gently guide us back
He cuts but does not harm
He straightens but does not disrupt
He illumines but does not dazzle"
- Translated by Jonathan Star, 2001, Chapter 58

The Complete Works of Lao Tzu: Tao Teh Ching & Hua Hu Ching Translation and elucidation by Hua Ching Ni

The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu Translated by Brian Walker

Tao Te Ching Translated by Arthur Waley

Tao - The Way Translated by Lionel and and Herbert Giles

Taoism: An Essential Guide By Eva Wong

"When the government is dull,
The people are simple.
When the government is keen,
The people are discontented.
Bad fortune is what good fortune leans on;
Good fortune is where bad fortune lurks.
Who knows the fortune's end?
There is nothing straight.
What is straight turns monstrous.
What is beautiful turns grotesque.
Man has been deluded
From time immemorial.
Therefore the sage
Is square without cutting;
Honest without scraping;
Straight without overbearing;
Bright without dazzling."
- Translated by Ha Poong Kim, Chapter 58

A Chinese Language Version of Chapter 58 of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
A note on my style of displaying the Chinese characters of the Tao Te Ching

其政悶悶, 其民淳淳.
其政察察, 其民缺缺.
禍兮福之所倚.
福兮禍之所伏.
孰知其極.
其無正.
正復為奇.
善復為妖.
人之迷其日固久.
是以聖人方而不割.
廉而不劌.
直而不肆.
光而不燿.
- Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 58

ch'i chêng mên mên, ch'i min shun shun.
ch'i chêng ch'a ch'a, ch'i min ch'üeh ch'üeh.
huo hsi fu chih so yi.
fu hsi huo chih so fu.
shu chih ch'i chi.
ch'i wu chêng.
chêng fu wei ch'i
shan fu wei yao.
jên chih mi ch'i jih ku chiu.
shih yi shêng jên fang erh pu ko.
lien erh pu k'uei.
chih erh pu ssu.
kuang erh pu yao.
- Wade-Giles Romanization, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 58

Laozi Daodejing: Chapters with Chinese characters, seal script, detailed word by word concordance, Pinyin (tone#), German, French and English.

Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition Chinese characters, Wade-Giles (1892) Romanization, and a list of meanings for each character by Jonathan Star

Lao Zi's Dao De Jing: A Matrix Translation with Chinese Text by Bradford Hatcher.

"When the government is blunt and inactive the people will be happy and prosperous;
When the government is discriminative, the people will be dissatisfied and restless.
It is upon misery that happiness rests;
It is under happiness that misery lies.
Who then can know the supremacy (good government)?
Only when the government does no rectifying.
Otherwise the rectitude will again become stratagem,
And good become evil.
Men have been ignorant of this, since long ago.
Therefore the Sage is square but does not cut others;
He is angled but does not chip others;
He is straight but does not stretch others;
His is bright but does not dazzle others."
- Translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao, 1904, Chapter 58

"When the country is governed through simplicity and leniency,
The people are genuine and honest.
When the country is governed through harshness and sharp investigation,
The people are more deceitful and dishonest.
From misfortune, good fortune is derived.
In good fortune, misfortune is conceived.
Who can determine the ultimate truth?
Or is there no ultimate truth at all?
As truth often turns out to be untruth,
Goodness often turns out to be evil.
This has long confused the people.
Thus, when the wise deals with things he is firm in his principles,
Yet not sharp.
He is pure, yet not harmful.
He is straightforward, yet not violent.
He is illuminated, yet not glittery."
- Translated by Chang Chung-Yuan, Chapter 58

"When leaders do not install too many law restrictions,
People are happy,
Otherwise people are unhappy.
From greater abundance, poverty follows,
From greater poverty, abundance will arise.
Thus the middle way is the best.
The Wise Person follows the middle way,
He is himself a live example.
He does not push his will, thus people follow him,
Correct in actions, good results are achieved.
He follows discipline, but tolerant with others,
People will notice his contentment."
- Translated by Sarbatoare, Chapter 58

"When the hand of the ruler is light,
the people do not contrive,
but when the country is severely ruled,
the people grow in cunning.
The actions of the sage are sharp,
but they are never cutting,
they are pointed, though never piercing,
they are straightforward, not contrived,
and not without restraint,
brilliant but not blinding.
This is the action of the sage,
because he is aware
that where happiness exists,
there is also misery and strife;
that where honesty may be found,
there is occasion for dishonesty,
and that men may be beguiled.
The sage knows that no-one can foretell
just what the future holds."
- Translated by Stan Rosenthal, 1984, Chapter 58

Lieh-Tzu: A Taoist Guide to Practical Living Translated by Eva Wong

The Daodejing of Laozi Translated by Philip Ivahoe

Daoism: A Beginner's Guide By James Miller

Early Daoist Scriptures Translated by Stephen Bokencamp

Simple Taoism: A Guide to Living in Balance By Alexander and Annellen Simpkins

Practical Taoism Translated by Thomas Cleary

Daoism and Chinese Culture By Livia Kohn

"The government that exerciseth the least care serveth the people best;
that which meddleth with everybody's business worketh all manner of harm.
Sorrow and joy are bedfellows; who can divine the final result of either?
Shall we avoid restriction?
Yea; restriction distorteth nature, so that even what seemeth good in it is evil.
For how long have men suffered from misunderstanding of this.
The wise man is foursquare, and avoideth aggression; his corners do not
injure others.
He moveth in a straight line and turneth not aside therefrom;
he is brilliant but doth not blind with his brightness."
- Interpolation by Aleister Crowley, Chapter 58

"When the government is muddled and confused,
The people are genuine and sincere.
When the government is discriminate and clear,
The state is crafty and cunning.

Disaster is that on which good fortune depends.
Good fortune is that in which disaster is concealed.
Who knows where it will end?
For there is no [fixed] "correct".
The correct turns into the "deviant".
And good turns into evil.
People's state of confusion
Has certainly existed for a long time.
Therefore be square but do not cut,
Be sharp but do not stab,
Be straightforward but not unrestrained,
Be bright but do not dazzle."
- Translation by Bram den Hond, Chapter 58

"If a government is unobtrusive,
the people become whole.
If a government is repressive,
the people become treacherous.

Good fortune has its roots in disaster,
and disaster lurks with good fortune.
Who knows why these things happen,
or when this cycle will end?
Good things seem to change into bad,
and bad things often turn out for good.
These things have always been hard to comprehend.

Thus the Master makes things change
without interfering.
She is probing yet causes no harm.
Straightforward, yet does not impose her will.
Radiant, and easy on the eye."
- Translated by J. H. McDonald, 1996, Chapter 58

Simple Taoism: A Guide to Living in Balance By Alexander Simkins.

The Tao of Daily Life: The Mysteries of the Orient Revealed By Derek Lin.

Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony By Ming-Dao Deng.

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

The Tao of Pooh By Benjamin Hoff.

Scholar Warrior: An Introduction to the Tao in Everyday Life By Ming-Dao Deng.

Vitality, Energy, Spirit: A Taoist Sourcebook Translated by Thomas Cleary.

"When the governor is magnanimous,
The people will become simple;
When the governor is harsh,
The people will become cunning.
Disaster hides itself behind good fortune;
Good fortune leans against disaster.
Who knows the secret?
There is no definite answer.
The normal changes into the abnormal;
The good changes into the evil.
People have been long perplexed.
Thus the sage is square and upright
But does not wound the people;
He is edged but does not cut the people;
He is candid but does not behave wantonly;
He gives light but does not dazzle."
- Translated by Gu Zhengkun, Chapter 58

"When a government is unobtrusive and tolerant the people will be happy and prosperous;
when a government is suspicious and strict the people are dissatisfied and crafty.
Good fortune is linked to calamity; misery is tied to happiness.
So who can tell when the end of this will come?
Is there no measuring-stick for the norm?
What is seen now as right and true will certainly someday be seen as wrong and false.
The people have labored under this sea of vexations for a long time.
Therefore the Master is square without sharp cutting corners.
His straightness is not strained; he is pointed without being piercing.
And he is bright but not blinding."
- Translation by John Dicus, 2002, Chapter 58

"When the government is not in evidence the people are honest and loyal.
When the government is meddlesome the people are in want.
Misery! Happiness lies by its side! Happiness!
Misery lurks underneath.
He who understands the end has progressed beyond limitations.
The regular becomes irregular; the good becomes unpropitious.
This has bewildered men from time immemorial!
Hence the Holy Man is a square which has not been cut, and whose corners have not been planed;
he is straightforward without being reckless, and bright without being dazzling."
- Translated by C. Spurgeon Medhurst, 1905, Chapter 58

Revealing the Tao Te Ching: In-Depth Commentaries on an Ancient Classic By Hu Xuzehi

Tao Te Ching Annotated translation by Victor Mair

Reading Lao Tzu: A Companion to the Tao Te Ching with a New Translation By Ha Poong Kim

The Philosophy of the Daodejing By Hans-Georg Moeller

Dao De Jing: A Philosophical Translation By Roger T. Ames and David T. Hall

The Way and Its Power: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching and Its Place in Chinese Thought By Arthur Waley

"When the government is sluggish and dull,
The people are honest and content;
When the government is discriminating and exacting,
The people are wily and restless.
Calamity is what good fortune depends on.
Good fortune is what calamity hides in.
Who knows their utmost?
Is it not better to have no rectitude?
Rectitude returns to trickery;
And goodness returns to evil.
The people's delusion has long existed.
Therefore, the Sage is square but not cutting;
is honest but does not hurt;
is straight but does not bully;
is bright but does not shine."
- Translated by Paul J. Lin, Chapter 58

"When the government is laid back
The people are relaxed.
When the government is nitpicking
The people have anxiety.
Misfortune depends upon fortune.
Fortune conceals misfortune.
What has a definite delimitation?
Or abnormality?
The normal reverts to strangeness.
Goodness reverts to perversion.
People certainly have been confused for a long time.
Therefore the sage squares things without cutting.
Edges without separating.
Straightens without lining up.
Shines but does not glare."
- Translated by Charles Muller, 1891, Chapter 58

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

"If the government is from the heart the people will be richer and richer.
If the government is full of restrictions the people will be poorer and poorer.
Miserable! you rely on coming happiness.
Happy! you crouch under dread of coming misery.
You may know the end from the beginning.
If a ruler is in line with Inner Life his strategy will come right, his bad luck will become good,
and the people will be astonished.
Things have been so for a long time.
That is why the self-controlled man is just and hurts no one, is true and takes no license;
he shines, and offends not by his brightness."
- Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 58

"When government is lazy and informal
The people are kind and honest;
When government is efficient and severe
The people are discontented and deceitful.
Good fortune follows upon disaster;
Disaster lurks within good fortune;
Who can say how things will end?
Perhaps there is no end.
Honesty is ever deceived;
Kindness is ever seduced;
Men have been like this for a long time.
So the sage is firm but not cutting,
Pointed but not piercing,
Straight but not rigid,
Bright but not blinding."
- Translated by Peter A. Merel, Chapter 58

"When the government does not interfere, the people are simple and happy.
When the government does interfere, the people are tense and cunning.
Disaster is what blessing perches on.
Blessing is where disaster abides.
Who can say what the ultimate end of all possibilities will be?
Appropriate means soon become unfitting.
Good means soon turn to evil.
Long indeed have the people been perplexed by the endless, topsy-turvy movement of life.
Therefore, one of subtle virtue dissolves and eliminates the vicious cycle of duality.
He may have sharp corners, but he does not jab.
He may extend himself, but not at the expense of others.
He may shine, but he does not dazzle."
- Translated by Hua-Ching Ni, 1995, Chapter 58

And dazzles not while he illuminates."
- Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 58

"When the government is non-discriminative and dull,
The people are contented and generous.
When the government is searching and discriminative,
The people are disappointed and contentious.
Calamity is that upon which happiness depends;
Happiness is that in which calamity is latent.
Who knows when the limit will be reached?
Is there no correctness used to govern the world?
Then the correct again becomes the perverse.
And the good again will become evil.
The people have been deluded for a long time.
Therefore the sage is as pointed as a square but does not pierce.
He is as acute as a knife but does not cut.
He is as straight as an unbent line but does not extend.
He is as bright as light but does not dazzle."
- Translated by Wing-Tsit Chan, 1963, Chapter 58

"Das Geheimnis gegensätzlichen Werdens
Eine Verwaltung, die man nicht merkt, macht das Volk froh.
Eine Verwaltung, die alles bestimmen will,
macht das Volk schlecht.
Glück ruht auf Leid. Leid harrt im Glück.

Wer weiß, was eintreffen wird?
Ordnung führt zu Unordnung.
Gutes verkehrt sich in Schlechtes.
Der Mensch erkennt in seiner Verblendung
nicht den Wechsel aller Dinge.

Der Weyse ist:
rechtwinklig von Art - doch stösst nicht an,
unantastbar - doch nicht unnahbar,
offen und gerade - doch nicht verletzend,
leuchtend - doch nicht blendend."
- Translated by Rudolf Backofen, 1949, Chapter 58

"Wessen Regierung still und unaufdringlich ist,
dessen Volk ist aufrichtig und ehrlich.
Wessen Regierung scharfsinnig und stramm ist,
dessen Volk ist hinterlistig und unzuverlässig.
Das Unglück ist's, worauf das Glück beruht;
das Glück ist es, worauf das Unglück lauert.

Wer erkennt aber, daß es das Höchste ist,
wenn nicht geordnet wird?
Denn sonst verkehrt die Ordnung sich in Wunderlichkeiten,
und das Gute verkehrt sich in Aberglaube.
Und die Tage der Verblendung des Volkes
dauern wahrlich lange.
Also auch der Berufene:

Er ist Vorbild, ohne zu beschneiden,
er ist gewissenhaft, ohne zu verletzen,
er ist echt, ohne Willkührlichkeiten,
er ist licht, ohne zu blenden."
- Translated by Richard Wilhelm, 1911, Chapter 58

"Whose government is unostentatious, quite unostentatious, his people will be prosperous, quite prosperous.
Whose government is prying, quite prying, his people will be needy, quite needy.
Misery, alas! rests upon happiness.
Happiness, alas! underlies misery.
But who foresees the catastrophe?
It will not be prevented!
What is ordinary becomes again extraordinary.
What is good becomes again unpropitious.
This bewilders people, and it happens constantly since times immemorial.
Therefore the holy man is square but not sharp, strict but not obnoxious, upright but not restraining, bright but not dazzling."
- Translated by D. T. Suzuki, 1913, Chapter 58

"A free and generous government gives the people a chance to develop.
When a government is rigid and exacting the people are cramped and miserable.
Misery is but the shadow of happiness.
Happiness is but the cloak of misery.
When will there be an end to them?
If we dispense with rectitude, distortion will assert itself; and what was good in its way will give place to what is evil.
Verily the people have been under a cloud for a long time.
Therefore the wise man is full of rectitude, but he does not chirp and carve at others.
He is just, but he does not admonish others.
He is upright, but he does not straighten others.
He is enlightened, but he does not offend with his brightness."
- Translated by Walter Gorn Old, 1904, Chapter 58

"When government is anarchic, the people are honest;
When government is meddlesome, the state is lacking.
Disaster is that whereon good fortune depends,
Good fortune is that wherein disaster lurks.
Who knows their limits?
When there is no uprightness, correct reverts to crafty, good reverts to gruesome.
The delusion of mankind,
How long have been its days!
For this reason, be
Square but not cutting,
Angular but not prickly,
Straight but not arrogant,
Bright but not dazzling."
- Translated by Victor H. Mair, 1990, Chapter 58

"When the government seems hesitant and lacking in vitality,
The people are free and happy.
When the government is active and interfering,
The people are discontented and critical.
"Misery," it is said, "rests on happiness, and happiness underlies misery";
But who sees that there is a supreme state where nothing is imposed?
For if right action becomes mere expediency
And belief in goodness becomes mere superstition,
The people will pass their days in a fog of bewilderment.
Therefore the Sage:
Though square himself, does not seek to shape others;
Thought he has his own angles, he does not ask others to match them;
Though he is himself straight, he does not seek to stretch others;
He shines, but he does not make a display of himself."
- Translated By Herman Ould, 1946, Chapter 58

"Lorsque l'administration paraît dépourvue de lumières, le peuple devient riche.
Lorsque l'administration est clairvoyante, le peuple manque de tout.
Le bonheur naît du malheur, le malheur est caché au sein du bonheur.
Qui peut en prévoir la fin?
Si le prince n'est pas droit, les hommes droits deviendront trompeurs, et les hommes vertueux, pervers.
Les hommes sont plongés dans l'erreur, et cela dure depuis bien longtemps!
C'est pourquoi le Saint est juste et ne blesse pas le peuple.
Il est désintéressé et ne lui fait pas de tort.
Il est droit et ne le redresse pas.
Il est éclairé et ne l'éblouit pas."
- Translated by Stanislas Julien, 1842, Chapter 58

Lifestyle Advice from Wise Persons Consejos de Estilo de Vida de Sabios

Daodejing Español, Inglés, y Chino Versiones Lingüísticas de la Daodejing

"Cuanto más lento e inactivo sea un gobierno, más feliz y próspero será un pueblo.
Cuanto más exigente sea un gobierno, más a disgusto estará el pueblo.
Pues en el sufrimiento se forja la felicidad,
Y en la felicidad se esconde la desgracia.
¿Cómo conoceremos al mejor gobierno?
Sólo cuando éste no aplica correctivos.
De otro modo la rectitud se convertirá en astucia,
Y el bien, en mal.
Los hombres han ignorado por mucho tiempo estas verdades.
Luego el Sabio es afilado, pero no corta;
Recto, sin imponer su rectitud;
Brillante, se deslumbrar."
- Translated into Spanish by Caridad Diaz Faes (2003) from the English translation by Ch'u Ta-Kao (1904), Capítulo 58

"Cuando el gobierno es discreto,
el pueblo es diligente.
Cuando el gobierno es vigilante,
el pueblo es indolente.
La desdicha tiene su origen en la dicha.
La dicha acecha a la desdicha.
Lo supremo es no dar órdenes
¿Pero quien se da cuenta de ello?
Lo correcto se convierte en incorrecto
y el bien se convierte en calamidad.
Pero el hombre no lo entiende,
porque desde hace tiempo es engañado.
Por eso el sabio es recto pero no tajante,
es anguloso pero no hiriente,
es firme pero no insolente,
es iluminado pero no encandila."
- Translation from Wikisource, 2013, Tao Te Ching, Capítulo 58

"Cuando el gobernante es discreto, el pueblo es simple y feliz.
Cuando el gobernante es perspicaz, el pueblo es astuto e infeliz.
La desdicha es lo que la dicha presiona, la dicha es lo que la desdichaesconde.
¿Quién puede conocer el final definitivo de este proceso?
¿Acaso no existe una norma de justicia?
Pero lo que es normal pronto se convierte en anormal, y lo que es propiciopronto
se vuelve de mal augurio; durante mucho tiempo ha estado la genteen un dilema.
Por ello, el Sabio cuadra las cosas sin cortar, esculpe sin desfigurar,
endereza sin forzar, y esclarece sin deslumbrar."
- Translated into Spanish by Alfonso Colodrón from the English translation by John C. H. Wu, 1993, Tao Te Ching, Capítulo 58

"Cuando el gobernante es indulgente, el pueblo se halla en la abundancia.
Cuanto más severo es un gobernante, más se encuentra el pueblo en la indigencia.
La felicidad se apoya en la desgracia.
La infelicidad está latente en el seno de la fortuna.
¿Quién conoce sus límites?
Lo que es normal se convierte en anormal.
Los buenos auspicios se vuelven ominosos.
La bondad se transforma en hipocrecía.
Por lo tanto: El hombre sabio es cuadrado pero no cortante.
Es anguloso pero no hiere a nadie.
Es recto pero no duro.
Resplandece pero no deslumbra."
- Translation from Logia Medio Dia, 2015, Capítulo 58

"A gobierno flojo e indolente, pueblo diligente.
A gobierno activo,pueblo perezoso.
La desdicha se apoya en la dicha y la dicha se agazapa detrásde la desdicha.
¿Quién conoce el punto extremo la líneadivisoria?
No hay regla.
La rectitud se vuelve extravagancia y lo buenomonstruosidad.
Esto ha traído confuso al hombre mucho tiempo.
Por eso, el sabio es cuadrado recto, pero sin aristas cortantes;
anguloso, pero sin ángulos punzantes;
recto, pero no intemperante:luz, pero no resplandor."
- Translated by Carmelo Elorduy, 2006, Capítulo 58

Tao Te Ching
Commentary, Interpretations, Research Tools, Resources
Chapter 58

Das Tao Te King von Lao Tse. Complete versions of all 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching by many different translators in many languages: 124 English, 24 German, 14 Russian, 7 Spanish, 5 French and many other languages. Links are organized first by languages, and then alphabetically by translators. Formatting varies somewhat. The original website at Onekellotus went offline in 2012; but, the extensive collection of these Tao Te Ching versions was saved for posterity by the Internet Archive Wayback Machine and available as of 9/9/2015. This is an outstanding original collection of versions of the Daodejing─ the Best on the Internet. Caution: copyright infringement may sometimes be an issue at this website.

Tao Te Ching, Translations into English: Terebess Asia Online (TAO). 124 nicely formatted complete English language translations, on separate webpages, of the Daodejing. Alphabetical index by translators. Each webpage has all 81 chapters of the Tao Te Ching translated into English. A useful collection! Many reformatted and colored versions from the original collection at Das Tao Te King von Lao Tse. Caution: copyright infringement may sometimes be an issue at this website.

Daodejing by Laozi: Chapters with Chinese characters, seal script, detailed word by word concordance, Pinyin (tone#), German, French and English. This is an outstanding resource for serious students of the Tao Te Ching.

Two Visions of the Way: A Study of the Wang Pi and the Ho-Shang Kung Commentaries on the Lao-Tzu. By Professor by Alan Kam-Leung Chan. SUNY Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture. State University of New York Press, 1991. Index, bibliography, glossary, notes, 314 pages. ISBN: 0791404560.

Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition By Jonathan Star. Translation, commentary and research tools. New York, Jeremy P. Tarcher, Penguin, 2001. Concordance, tables, appendices, 349 pages. A new rendition of the Tao Te Ching is provided, then a verbatim translation with extensive notes. Detailed tables for each verse provide line number, all the Chinese characters, Wade-Giles Romanization, and a list of meanings for each character. An excellent print reference tool!

Chinese Reading of the Daodejing Wang Bi's Commentary on the Laozi with Critical Text and Translation. By Professor Rudolf G. Wagner. A SUNY Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture. English and Mandarin Chinese Edition. State University of New York Press; Bilingual edition (October 2003). 540 pages. ISBN: 978-0791451823. Wang Bi (Wang Pi, Fusi), 226-249 CE, Commentary on the Tao Te Ching.

Tao Te Ching Translated by D. C. Lau. Addison Wesley, Reprint Edition, 2000. 192 pages. ISBN: 978-0140441314.

Tao Te Ching: The Book of the Way. Revised by Sam Torode based on the translation by Dwight Goddard, 1919. Independent Pub., 2009, 88 pages.

Tao Te Ching Studies, Translated by Bruce R., Linnell, 2015. Chinese, English, Glossary, and Notes.

Center Tao. Includes a brief commentary on each Chapter. A keyword glossary for each chapter is provided.

Yellow Bridge Dao De Jing Comparison Table Provides side by side comparisons of translations of the Tao Te Ching by James Legge, D. T. Suzuki, and Dwight Goddard. Chinese characters for each paragraph in the Chapter are on the left; place your cursor over the Chinese characters to see the Pinyin Romanization of the Chinese character and a list of meanings.

Translators Index, Tao Te Ching Versions in English, Translators Sorted Alphabetically by Translator, Links to Books and Online Versions of the Chapters

The Tao of Zen. By Ray Grigg. Tuttle, 2012, 256 pages. Argues for the view that Zen is best characterized as a version of philosophical Taoism (i.e., Laozi and Zhuangzi) and not Mahayana Buddhism.

Lao-tzu's Taoteching Translated by Red Pine (Bill Porter). Includes many brief selected commentaries for each Chapter draw from commentaries in the past 2,000 years. Provides a verbatim translation and shows the text in Chinese characters. San Francisco, Mercury House, 1996, Second Edition, 184 pages. An invaluable resource for commentaries.

Cloud Hands Blog Mike Garofalo writes about Mind-Body Arts, Philosophy, Taoism, Gardening, Taijiquan, Walking, Mysticism, Qigong, and the Eight Ways.

Research and Indexing by
Michael P. Garofalo

Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove Notebooks (2001-2020)

Red Bluff, California from 1998-2017; Vancouver, Washington from 2017-2020

Green Way Research, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 58, 2011-2020.

Compiled and Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo

This webpage was last modified, edited, maintained, expanded, reformatted, improved or updated on November 25, 2019.

This webpage was first distributed online on June 28, 2011.

This webpage work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Michael P. Garofalo's E-mail

Brief Biography of Michael P. Garofalo, M.S.

Ripening Peaches: Daoist Studies and Practices

Taoism: Resources and Guides

Cloud Hands Blog

Valley Spirit Qigong

Ways of Walking

The Spirit of Gardening

Months: Cycles of the Seasons

Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu, Zhuang Zhou, Master Chuang) 369—286 BCE

Chan (Zen) and Taoist Poetry

Yang Style Taijiquan

Chen Style Taijiquan

Taoist Perspectives: My Reading List

Meditation

Bodymind Theory and Practices, Somaesthetics

The Five Senses

How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons

Grandmaster Chang San Feng

Grandmaster Cheng Man-ch'ing

Virtues

Qigong (Chi Kung) Health Practices

One Old Daoist Druid's Final Journey: Notebooks of the Librarian of Gushen Grove

Cloud Hands: T'ai Chi Ch'uan

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

Index to Cloud Hands and Valley Spirit Websites

Gushen Grove Notebooks for the Tao Te Ching

Introduction

Bibliography

Index to English Language Translators of the Tao Te Ching

Thematic Index 1-81

Chapter Index 1-81

Concordance to the Daodejing

Recurring Themes (Terms, Concepts, Leimotifs) in the Tao Te Ching

Spanish Language Translations of the Tao Te Ching

Resources

Comments, Feedback, Kudos

Chinese Characters, Wade-Giles (1892) and Hanyu Pinyin (1982) Romanizations

The Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) circa 500 BCE

Cloud Hands Blog

Tao Te Ching Chapter Number Index Standard Traditional Chapter Arrangement of the Daodejing Chapter Order in Wang Bi's Daodejing Commentary in 246 CE Chart by Mike Garofalo Subject Index
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40
41	42	43	44	45	46	47	48	49	50
51	52	53	54	55	56	57	58	59	60
61	62	63	64	65	66	67	68	69	70
71	72	73	74	75	76	77	78	79	80
81

Chapter 58

Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing)
Classic of the Way and Virtue

By Lao Tzu (Laozi)

Chapter 58

Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) by Lao Tzu

The Complete Works of Lao Tzu: Tao Teh Ching & Hua Hu Ching Translation and elucidation by Hua Ching Ni

The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu Translated by Brian Walker

Tao Te Ching Translated by Arthur Waley

Tao - The Way Translated by Lionel and and Herbert Giles

Taoism: An Essential Guide By Eva Wong

Lieh-Tzu: A Taoist Guide to Practical Living Translated by Eva Wong

The Daodejing of Laozi Translated by Philip Ivahoe

Daoism: A Beginner's Guide By James Miller

Early Daoist Scriptures Translated by Stephen Bokencamp

Simple Taoism: A Guide to Living in Balance By Alexander and Annellen Simpkins

Practical Taoism Translated by Thomas Cleary

Daoism and Chinese Culture By Livia Kohn

Simple Taoism: A Guide to Living in Balance By Alexander Simkins.

The Tao of Daily Life: The Mysteries of the Orient Revealed By Derek Lin.

Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony By Ming-Dao Deng.

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

The Tao of Pooh By Benjamin Hoff.

Scholar Warrior: An Introduction to the Tao in Everyday Life By Ming-Dao Deng.

Vitality, Energy, Spirit: A Taoist Sourcebook Translated by Thomas Cleary.

Revealing the Tao Te Ching: In-Depth Commentaries on an Ancient Classic By Hu Xuzehi

Tao Te Ching Annotated translation by Victor Mair

Reading Lao Tzu: A Companion to the Tao Te Ching with a New Translation By Ha Poong Kim

The Philosophy of the Daodejing By Hans-Georg Moeller

Dao De Jing: A Philosophical Translation By Roger T. Ames and David T. Hall

The Way and Its Power: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching and Its Place in Chinese Thought By Arthur Waley

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

Lifestyle Advice from Wise Persons Consejos de Estilo de Vida de Sabios

Research and Indexing by
Michael P. Garofalo

Gushen Grove Notebooks for the Tao Te Ching

Bibliography

Thematic Index 1-81

Chapter Index 1-81

Chapter 58

Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) Classic of the Way and Virtue By Lao Tzu (Laozi)

Chapter 58

Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) by Lao Tzu

The Complete Works of Lao Tzu: Tao Teh Ching & Hua Hu Ching Translation and elucidation by Hua Ching Ni

The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu Translated by Brian Walker

Tao Te Ching Translated by Arthur Waley

Tao - The Way Translated by Lionel and and Herbert Giles

Taoism: An Essential Guide By Eva Wong

Lieh-Tzu: A Taoist Guide to Practical Living Translated by Eva Wong

The Daodejing of Laozi Translated by Philip Ivahoe

Daoism: A Beginner's Guide By James Miller

Early Daoist Scriptures Translated by Stephen Bokencamp

Simple Taoism: A Guide to Living in Balance By Alexander and Annellen Simpkins

Practical Taoism Translated by Thomas Cleary

Daoism and Chinese Culture By Livia Kohn

Simple Taoism: A Guide to Living in Balance By Alexander Simkins.

The Tao of Daily Life: The Mysteries of the Orient Revealed By Derek Lin.

Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony By Ming-Dao Deng.

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

The Tao of Pooh By Benjamin Hoff.

Scholar Warrior: An Introduction to the Tao in Everyday Life By Ming-Dao Deng.

Vitality, Energy, Spirit: A Taoist Sourcebook Translated by Thomas Cleary.

Revealing the Tao Te Ching: In-Depth Commentaries on an Ancient Classic By Hu Xuzehi

Tao Te Ching Annotated translation by Victor Mair

Reading Lao Tzu: A Companion to the Tao Te Ching with a New Translation By Ha Poong Kim

The Philosophy of the Daodejing By Hans-Georg Moeller

Dao De Jing: A Philosophical Translation By Roger T. Ames and David T. Hall

The Way and Its Power: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching and Its Place in Chinese Thought By Arthur Waley

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

Lifestyle Advice from Wise Persons Consejos de Estilo de Vida de Sabios

Research and Indexing by Michael P. Garofalo

Gushen Grove Notebooks for the Tao Te Ching

Bibliography

Thematic Index 1-81

Chapter Index 1-81

Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing)
Classic of the Way and Virtue

By Lao Tzu (Laozi)

Research and Indexing by
Michael P. Garofalo