Who can (make) the muddy water (clear)? Let it
Books: THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICSWho can (make) the muddy water (clear)? Let it be still, and it
will gradually become clear Who can secure the condition of rest?
Let movement go on, and the condition of rest will gradually arise
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When a reconciliation is effected (between two parties) after a
great
When a reconciliation is effected (between two parties) after a great animosity, there is sure to be a grudge remaining (in the mind of the one who was wrong) And how can this be beneficial (to the other)? ... When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot
When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe When wealth and honours lead to arrogancy, this brings its evil on itself When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way o... When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships, filial sons
When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships, filial sons found their manifestation; when the states and clans fell into disorder, loyal ministers appeared ... When one is about to take an inspiration, he is
When one is about to take an inspiration, he is sure to make a (previous) expiration; when he is going to weaken another, he will first strengthen him; when he is going to overthrow another, he will first have raised him up; when he is going to despoi... When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be
When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue (Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy ... When the learned man drives away vanity by earnestness, he,
When the learned man drives away vanity by earnestness, he, the wise, climbing the terraced heights of wisdom, looks down upon the fools, serene he looks upon the toiling crowd, as one that stands on a mountain looks down upon them that stand upon the ... When the mother is found, we know what her children
When the mother is found, we know what her children should be When one knows that he is his mother's child, and proceeds to guard (the qualities of) the mother that belong to him, to the end of his life he will be free from all peril ... When the people do not fear what they ought to
When the people do not fear what they ought to fear, that which is their great dread will come on them ... When the Tao prevails in the world, they send back
When the Tao prevails in the world, they send back their swift horses to (draw) the dung-carts When the Tao is disregarded in the world, the war-horses breed in the border lands ... When these two do not injuriously affect each other, their
When these two do not injuriously affect each other, their good influences converge in the virtue (of the Tao) ... When things have attained their strong maturity they become old This
When things have attained their strong maturity they become old This may be said to be not in accordance with the Tao: and what is not in accordance with it soon comes to an end ... When things have become strong, they (then) become old, which
When things have become strong, they (then) become old, which may be said to be contrary to the Tao Whatever is contrary to the Tao soon ends ... Wherever a host is stationed, briars and thorns spring up
Wherever a host is stationed, briars and thorns spring up In the sequence of great armies there are sure to be bad years ... Who can (make) the muddy water (clear)? Let it
Who can (make) the muddy water (clear)? Let it be still, and it will gradually become clear Who can secure the condition of rest? Let movement go on, and the condition of rest will gradually arise ... Who can take his own superabundance and therewith serve all
Who can take his own superabundance and therewith serve all under heaven? Only he who is in possession of the Tao! ... Who is content Needs fear no shame
Who is content Needs fear no shame Who knows to stop Incurs no blame From danger free Long live shall he ... Who knows his manhood's strength, Yet still his
Who knows his manhood's strength, Yet still his female feebleness maintains; As to one channel flow the many drains, All come to him, yea, all beneath the sky Thus he the constant excellence retains; The simple child again, free from ... Who shall overcome this earth, and the world of Yama
Who shall overcome this earth, and the world of Yama (the lord of the departed), and the world of the gods? Who shall find out the plainly shown path of virtue, as a clever man finds out the (right) flower? ... Who thinks his great achievements poor Shall find
Who thinks his great achievements poor Shall find his vigour long endure Of greatest fulness, deemed a void, Exhaustion ne'er shall stem the tide Do thou what's straight still crooked deem; Thy greatest art still stupid seem, And ... Who uses well his light, Reverting to its
Who uses well his light, Reverting to its (source so) bright, Will from his body ward all blight, And hides the unchanging from men's sight ... Whomsoever this fierce thirst overcomes, full of poison, in this world,
Whomsoever this fierce thirst overcomes, full of poison, in this world, his sufferings increase like the abounding Birana grass ... Why was it that the ancients prized this Tao so
Why was it that the ancients prized this Tao so much? Was it not because it could be got by seeking for it, and the guilty could escape (from the stain of their guilt) by it? This is the reason why all under heaven consider it the most valuable thing... Wise people do not call that a strong fetter which
Wise people do not call that a strong fetter which is made of iron, wood, or hemp; far stronger is the care for precious stones and rings, for sons and a wife ... Wise people, after they have listened to the laws, become
Wise people, after they have listened to the laws, become serene, like a deep, smooth, and still lake ... With that gentleness I can be bold; with that economy
With that gentleness I can be bold; with that economy I can be liberal; shrinking from taking precedence of others, I can become a vessel of the highest honour Now-a-days they give up gentleness and are all for being bold; economy, and are all for bei... Without going outside his door, one understands (all that takes place)
Without going outside his door, one understands (all that takes place) under the sky; without looking out from his window, one sees the Tao of Heaven The farther that one goes out (from himself), the less he knows ...