Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
Chapter 62
"Tao is the enigma of all creation.
It is a treasure for the good man, a shelter for the bad.
Words of worth can create a city;
Noble deeds can elevate a man.
Even though a man is not good, how can he be abandoned?
A jade disc and a coach and four are presented to the emperor at his enthronement ceremony and to the Three Ministers at their installation, but this cannot compare with riding toward the Tao.
Those ancients who prized Tao would instead have said, "Seek and you will find, thus you will be free from guilt."
Hence Tao is valued by the world."
- Translated by Tam Gibbs, 1981, Chapter 62
It is a treasure for the good man, a shelter for the bad.
Words of worth can create a city;
Noble deeds can elevate a man.
Even though a man is not good, how can he be abandoned?
A jade disc and a coach and four are presented to the emperor at his enthronement ceremony and to the Three Ministers at their installation, but this cannot compare with riding toward the Tao.
Those ancients who prized Tao would instead have said, "Seek and you will find, thus you will be free from guilt."
Hence Tao is valued by the world."
- Translated by Tam Gibbs, 1981, Chapter 62
"The Tao (the Laws of the Universe)
is the hidden Source
of all things.
A treasure
to the honest,
it is a protection
to the confused.
A good word
will find its own location.
A good deed
may be used as a gift to another.
A person
missing the right path
Is no reason
they should be thrown away.
At the official times of empowerment,
Let others offer their discs of jade, following it up with cars and boats;
It is better for you to offer
the Tao ( the Laws of the Universe )
without moving your feet!
Why did the people of the past prize
the Tao ( the Laws of the Universe )?
It is because
by the virtue (the power) of it,
he who looks finds,
And the guilty are forgiven.
That is why
it is such a treasure
to the world."
- Translated by John Louis Trottier, 1994, Chapter 62
is the hidden Source
of all things.
A treasure
to the honest,
it is a protection
to the confused.
A good word
will find its own location.
A good deed
may be used as a gift to another.
A person
missing the right path
Is no reason
they should be thrown away.
At the official times of empowerment,
Let others offer their discs of jade, following it up with cars and boats;
It is better for you to offer
the Tao ( the Laws of the Universe )
without moving your feet!
Why did the people of the past prize
the Tao ( the Laws of the Universe )?
It is because
by the virtue (the power) of it,
he who looks finds,
And the guilty are forgiven.
That is why
it is such a treasure
to the world."
- Translated by John Louis Trottier, 1994, Chapter 62
"The Way is the myriad creatures’ refuge.
It is that which the good extend,
And that which defends the bad.
Eloquent words can win promotion.
Eloquent actions can elevate.
Even if a person is bad, should one reject them?
When the ruler is installed
And the three great ministers appointed,
Though jade disks
And four-horse teams are offered,
It’s better to grant the gift of the Way
Without stirring from one’s place.
Why was the Way valued of old?
Was it not said it brought achievement,
And mitigated the punishment of the guilty.
So it was prized by the realm."
- Translated by A.S. Kline, 2003, Chapter 62
It is that which the good extend,
And that which defends the bad.
Eloquent words can win promotion.
Eloquent actions can elevate.
Even if a person is bad, should one reject them?
When the ruler is installed
And the three great ministers appointed,
Though jade disks
And four-horse teams are offered,
It’s better to grant the gift of the Way
Without stirring from one’s place.
Why was the Way valued of old?
Was it not said it brought achievement,
And mitigated the punishment of the guilty.
So it was prized by the realm."
- Translated by A.S. Kline, 2003, Chapter 62
"Tao is at the source of everything: treasure for the good; refuge for the bad.
Fine words can be sold; fine deeds can be but a show.
Why, then, refuge the bad?
Therefore, at the crowning of the emperor or at the appointment of the three ministers, rather than present gifts of jade and horses, present the gift of Tao.
Why did the ancients value Tao so?
Did they not say the seeker shall find it; the sinner shall find it and be forgiven?
So is it the treasure of the world."
- Translated by Frank K. MacHovec, 1962, Chapter 62
Fine words can be sold; fine deeds can be but a show.
Why, then, refuge the bad?
Therefore, at the crowning of the emperor or at the appointment of the three ministers, rather than present gifts of jade and horses, present the gift of Tao.
Why did the ancients value Tao so?
Did they not say the seeker shall find it; the sinner shall find it and be forgiven?
So is it the treasure of the world."
- Translated by Frank K. MacHovec, 1962, Chapter 62
"The Ten Thousand Things have their source in the Tao.
It is the treasure of the good man, and the refuge of the bad.
Fine words can purchase honor.
Good deeds can earn respect.
Even if a man is bad, that is no reason to abandon him.
Therefore when the Son of Heaven is crowned and the three ministers installed,
Rather than offering gifts of jade discs and a team of four horses,
It is better to remain seated and offer the Tao.
Why did the ancients value the Tao so highly?
Did they not say, ‘By means of the Tao,
Those who seek it shall find it, and the guilty shall be forgiven’?
This is why it is so valued by the world."
- Translated by Keith H. Seddon, Chapter 62
It is the treasure of the good man, and the refuge of the bad.
Fine words can purchase honor.
Good deeds can earn respect.
Even if a man is bad, that is no reason to abandon him.
Therefore when the Son of Heaven is crowned and the three ministers installed,
Rather than offering gifts of jade discs and a team of four horses,
It is better to remain seated and offer the Tao.
Why did the ancients value the Tao so highly?
Did they not say, ‘By means of the Tao,
Those who seek it shall find it, and the guilty shall be forgiven’?
This is why it is so valued by the world."
- Translated by Keith H. Seddon, Chapter 62
"The Tao is the source of all things,
the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge.
You can buy beautiful words.
You can build your reputation with good deeds.
But even bad people can use beautiful words and perform good deeds.
So when the new emperor is crowned
(and the three ministers of state are installed),
do not send gifts of jade and four–horse chariots.
Instead, be still, and offer the Tao.
The ancients treasured the Tao because, when you seek it, you find it;
through the Tao, even sinners receive forgiveness.
That is why everybody loves the Tao."
- Translated by George Cronk, 1999, Chapter 62
the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge.
You can buy beautiful words.
You can build your reputation with good deeds.
But even bad people can use beautiful words and perform good deeds.
So when the new emperor is crowned
(and the three ministers of state are installed),
do not send gifts of jade and four–horse chariots.
Instead, be still, and offer the Tao.
The ancients treasured the Tao because, when you seek it, you find it;
through the Tao, even sinners receive forgiveness.
That is why everybody loves the Tao."
- Translated by George Cronk, 1999, Chapter 62
I'm so glad to have discovered your site - it connects to so much in my life. Thank you for all of the work and thought that you have put into it...
ReplyDeleteThank you, John. I am always pleased to hear that people find some value in my blog and webpages. Cheers, Mike
ReplyDelete