Though in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the
Books: THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICSThough in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the whole
world dares not deal with (one embodying) it as a minister If a
feudal prince or the king could guard and hold it, all would
spontaneously submit themselves to him
More
-
This is the way, there is no other that leads
This is the way, there is no other that leads to the purifying of intelligence Go on this way! Everything else is the deceit of Mara (the tempter) ... This mind of mine went formerly wandering about as it
This mind of mine went formerly wandering about as it liked, as it listed, as it pleased; but I shall now hold it in thoroughly, as the rider who holds the hook holds in the furious elephant ... This salutary word I tell you, `Do ye, as many
This salutary word I tell you, `Do ye, as many as are here assembled, dig up the root of thirst, as he who wants the sweet- scented Usira root must dig up the Birana grass, that Mara (the tempter) may not crush you again and again, as the stream crushe... This world is dark, few only can see here; a
This world is dark, few only can see here; a few only go to heaven, like birds escaped from the net ... Those three methods (of government) Thought olden ways
Those three methods (of government) Thought olden ways in elegance did fail And made these names their want of worth to veil; But simple views, and courses plain and true Would selfish ends and many lusts eschew ... Those white bones, like gourds thrown away in the autumn,
Those white bones, like gourds thrown away in the autumn, what pleasure is there in looking at them? ... Those who are advanced in earnestness, having understood this clearly, delight
Those who are advanced in earnestness, having understood this clearly, delight in earnestness, and rejoice in the knowledge of the Ariyas (the elect) ... Those who are ever watchful, who study day and night,
Those who are ever watchful, who study day and night, and who strive after Nirvana, their passions will come to an end ... Those who are slaves to passions, run down with the
Those who are slaves to passions, run down with the stream (of desires), as a spider runs down the web which he has made himself; when they have cut this, at last, wise people leave the world free from cares, leaving all affection behind ... Those who bridle their mind which travels far, moves about
Those who bridle their mind which travels far, moves about alone, is without a body, and hides in the chamber (of the heart), will be free from the bonds of Mara (the tempter) ... Those whose mind is well grounded in the (seven) elements
Those whose mind is well grounded in the (seven) elements of knowledge, who without clinging to anything, rejoice in freedom from attachment, whose appetites have been conquered, and who are full of light, are free (even) in this world The Venerab... Thou art now like a sear leaf, the messengers of
Thou art now like a sear leaf, the messengers of death (Yama) have come near to thee; thou standest at the door of thy departure, and thou hast no provision for thy journey ... Though a man recite a hundred Gathas made up of
Though a man recite a hundred Gathas made up of senseless words, one word of the law is better, which if a man hears, he becomes quiet ... Though in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the
Though in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the whole world dares not deal with (one embodying) it as a minister If a feudal prince or the king could guard and hold it, all would spontaneously submit themselves to him ... Though they had boats and carriages, they should have no
Though they had boats and carriages, they should have no occasion to ride in them; though they had buff coats and sharp weapons, they should have no occasion to don or use them ... Thought
As a fletcher makes straight his arrow, a wise man makes straight his trembling and unsteady thought, which is difficult to guard, difficult to hold back. As a fish taken from his watery home and thrown on the dry ground, our thought trembles a... THREE GREAT LAWS
FIRST LAW: The warnings of reason are based in the nature of things within us, and are universal benefactors SECOND LAW: Fear is contrary to the ground-plan of life It is no primary part of the nature of things; it is an alien in the world- ... Through zeal knowledge is gotten, through lack of zeal knowledge is
Through zeal knowledge is gotten, through lack of zeal knowledge is lost; let a man who knows this double path of gain and loss thus place himself that knowledge may grow ... Thus it is that a great state, by condescending to
Thus it is that a great state, by condescending to small states, gains them for itself; and that small states, by abasing themselves to a great state, win it over to them In the one case the abasement leads to gaining adherents, in the other case to p... Thus it is that dignity finds its (firm) root in
Thus it is that dignity finds its (firm) root in its (previous) meanness, and what is lofty finds its stability in the lowness (from which it rises) Hence princes and kings call themselves 'Orphans,' 'Men of small virtue,' and as 'Carriages without a ... Thus it is that firmness and strength are the concomitants
Thus it is that firmness and strength are the concomitants of death; softness and weakness, the concomitants of life ... Thus it is that the Great man abides by what
Thus it is that the Great man abides by what is solid, and eschews what is flimsy; dwells with the fruit and not with the flower It is thus that he puts away the one and makes choice of the other ... Thus it is that the Tao produces (all things), nourishes
Thus it is that the Tao produces (all things), nourishes them, brings them to their full growth, nurses them, completes them, matures them, maintains them, and overspreads them ... Thus it was that when the Tao was lost, its
Thus it was that when the Tao was lost, its attributes appeared; when its attributes were lost, benevolence appeared; when benevolence was lost, righteousness appeared; and when righteousness was lost, the proprieties appeared ... Thus we may see, Who cleaves
Thus we may see, Who cleaves to fame Rejects what is more great; Who loves large stores Gives up the richer state ... Thy life has come to an end, thou art come
Thy life has come to an end, thou art come near to death (Yama), there is no resting-place for thee on the road, and thou hast no provision for thy journey ...