China Ancient Edition of Tao Te Ching

1 Tao Te Ching (full vernacular version) 1. [Vernacular] The "Tao" that can be expressed in terms is not an eternal "Tao"; It can be said in words that it is not an eternal "name", "nothingness" is the origin of heaven and earth, and "existence" is the foundation of all things. Observing the mystery of Tao from nothingness; We often know the clue of Tao from "being". "Nothing" and "You" are homologous, but their names are different. They can be said to be very deep. Extremely far and deep, it is the total door of all changes. 2. [Vernacular] People all over the world know that beauty is beauty, so the concept of ugliness exists at the same time: everyone knows that good is good, and the concept of evil also comes into being. There is and there is no opposition, difficult and easy opposition, long and short opposition, high and low opposition, sound and harmony opposition, and back and forth. This will never change (unity of opposites). Therefore, saints treat the world with a "inaction" attitude, practice the teaching of "no words", (allow) all things to grow and change naturally without demanding to be teachers, nurture all things without taking them for themselves, cultivate all things without relying on their own abilities and achieve their careers without boasting. Just because he doesn't cry roast meat, his achievements will not disappear. Do not value rare goods, so that people do not steal; Don't show off those things that can induce people's greed, so that people's hearts will not be disturbed. Therefore, to rule the country and level the world by saints is to simplify people's thoughts, fill people's stomachs, weaken people's will, strengthen people's physique, and make people have no knowledge and no desire forever. Some smart people dare not act rashly and deal with things with an attitude of "inaction". There is nothing wrong with it. 4. [Vernacular] "Tao" is empty and invisible, but it has endless functions. It is so deep, as if it were the patriarch of all things. Don't show your edge, get rid of disputes, radiant, mixed with sharp flowers. It is so isolated from the world that there seems to be no reality. I don't know where it came from, but it seems to have existed before the emperor. "Saints" have no preference and let people live in the natural world. Isn't it like a bellows? Although it is empty, it will not be exhausted. The more it moves, the more air it has. Talking too much will only accelerate failure. It is better to keep the inner emptiness. 6. [Vernacular] "Tao", a magical thing that nourishes everything in the world, is eternal and will not be mixed. This is called metaphysical subtle mother, subtle and profound mother. Known as the root of heaven and earth. It is invisible, and its influence on everything in the universe is endless. 7. [Vernacular] Heaven and earth last for a long time. Heaven and earth can exist for a long time because they don't exist for themselves, so they can exist for a long time. Therefore, saints put themselves behind, and as a result, they are ahead; If you get yourself out of danger, you can save yourself. Didn't he achieve his goal because he was not selfish? 8. Being as good as water is good at nourishing everything but not competing with everything. Always in the annoying (low) place, so the closest to the "Tao." (The best man) lives (like water). Keep a deep and quiet mind, make friends with sincere love, speak honestly and reliably, be politically orderly, give full play to your special skills, and seize the opportunity in action. It is precisely because he is at peace with the world (such as water) that there is no fault. 9. If the water bowl is full, it is better to stop. Beating (metal) to make it sharp won't last long. Happily ever since.