| |
Original |
Legge's
Translation |
Susuki's
Translation |
Goddard's
Translation |
| 1 |
道常無為而無不為。侯王若能守之，萬物將自化。 |
The Dao in its regular course does nothing (for the sake of
doing it), and so there is nothing which it does not
do.
|
Reason always practises non-assertion, and there is nothing that remains undone. |
Tao is apparently inactive (wu wei) and yet nothing remains undone. If princes
and kings desire to keep) everything in order, they
must first reform themselves. (If princes and kings
would follow the example of Dao, then all things will
reform themselves.) |
| 2 |
化而欲作，吾將鎮之以
無名之朴。 |
If princes and kings were able to maintain it, all things would of themselves
be transformed by them. If this transformation
became to me an object of desire, I would express
the desire by the nameless simplicity.
|
If princes and kings could keep Reason, the ten thousand creatures would of
themselves be reformed. While being reformed they
might yet be anxious to stir; but I would restrain
them by the simplicity of the Ineffable.
|
If they still desire to change, I would pacify them by the simplicity of the
ineffable Dao. |
| 3 |
鎮之以無名之朴，夫亦將不欲。不欲以靜，天下將自正。 |
Simplicity without a name
Is free from all external aim.
With no desire, at rest and still,
All things go right as of their will. |
"The simplicity of the unexpressed
Will purify the heart of lust.
Is there no lust there will be rest,
And all the world will thus be blest." |
This simplicity will end desire, and if desire be absent there is quietness.
All people will of themselves be satisfied. |
