Chapter 32
"Tao is absolute and has no name.
Though the uncarved wood is small,
It cannot be employed (used as vessel) by anyone.
If kings and barons can keep (this unspoiled nature),
The whole world shall yield them lordship of their own accord.
The Heaven and Earth join, Though the uncarved wood is small,
It cannot be employed (used as vessel) by anyone.
If kings and barons can keep (this unspoiled nature),
The whole world shall yield them lordship of their own accord.
And the sweet rain falls,
Beyond the command of men,
Yet evenly upon all.
Then human civilization arose and there were names.
Since there were names,
It were well one knew where to stop.
He who knows where to stop
May be exempt from danger.
Tao in the world
May be compared to rivers that run into the sea."
- Translated by Lin Yutang, 1948, Chapter 32
"Tao remains ever nameless.
However insignificant may be the simplicity of those who cultivate it
The Empire does not presume to claim their services as Ministers.
If Princes and Monarchs could but preserve this simplicity,
Every creature in the world would submit itself to them;
Heaven and Earth would be in mutual accord,
And shower down sweet dew;
The people would need no laws, but live in harmony of themselves.
It was in the beginning that a name was fabricated for the Tao.
This name once existing, Heaven, also, may be known;
And such knowledge ensures the indestructibility of the doctrine.
The presence of Tao in the world may be compared to streams which ever flow,
And mountain-gorges which are indestructible,
In their union with rivers and seas which are unfathomable."
- Translated by Frederic H. Balfour, 1884, Chapter 32
However insignificant may be the simplicity of those who cultivate it
The Empire does not presume to claim their services as Ministers.
If Princes and Monarchs could but preserve this simplicity,
Every creature in the world would submit itself to them;
Heaven and Earth would be in mutual accord,
And shower down sweet dew;
The people would need no laws, but live in harmony of themselves.
It was in the beginning that a name was fabricated for the Tao.
This name once existing, Heaven, also, may be known;
And such knowledge ensures the indestructibility of the doctrine.
The presence of Tao in the world may be compared to streams which ever flow,
And mountain-gorges which are indestructible,
In their union with rivers and seas which are unfathomable."
- Translated by Frederic H. Balfour, 1884, Chapter 32
Although its simplicity seems insignificant, the whole world does not dare to suppress it.
If princes and kings could keep it, the ten thousand things would of themselves pay homage.
Heaven and earth would unite in dripping sweet dew, and the people with no one to command them would of themselves be righteous.
As soon as Reason creates order, it becomes namable.
Whenever the namable in its turn acquires existence, one learns to know when to stop.
By knowing when to stop, one avoids danger.
To illustrate Reason's relation to the world we compare it to streams and creeks in their course towards rivers and the ocean."
- Translated by Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki and Paul Carus, 1913, Chapter 32
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu: Introduction, Bibliography, Commentary, Chapter Index
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