Chapter 74
If the people are not afraid
of death,
What is the point of trying
to frighten them with death?
In order to make people always
afraid of death,
We can catch and kill the trouble-makers.
Then, who will dare to make
trouble?
There is always a master in
charge of executions.
To carry out executions in place
of the master
Is like hewing wood in place
of a skillful carpenter.
Of those who hew wood in place
of the carpenter,
Very few escape cutting their
own hands.
Chapter 75
The people suffer from famine
Because the ruler levies too
much tax-grain.
Thus they suffer from famine.
The people are difficult to
rule
Because the ruler too often
takes action.
Thus they are difficult to rule.
The people take life lightly
Because the ruler longs for
life so avidly.
Thus they take life lightly.
Chapter 76
When alive, man is soft and
tender.
After death, he is hard and
stiff.
All things like grass and trees
are soft and tender when alive,
Whereas they become withered
and dried when dead.
Therefore, the hard and stiff
are companions of death
Whereas the soft and tender
are companions of life.
Hence an army will be shattered
when it becomes strong.
A tree will be broken when it
grows huge.
The hard and strong fall in
the inferior position;
The soft and tender stay in
the superior position.
"The violent and strong
do not die natural deaths."
I shall take this principle
as the father of my teaching.
Chapter 77
Does not the Dao of Heaven resembles
the drawing of a bow?
When the string is taut, press
it down.
When it is low, raise it up.
When it is excessive, reduce
it.
When it is insufficient, supplement
it.
The Dao of Heaven reduces whatever
is excessive
And supplements whatever is
insufficient.
The Dao of man does the opposite.
It reduces the insufficient
And adds more to the excessive.
Who is able to have a surplus
to offer to the world?
Only the one who has the Dao.
The sage does not accumulate
for himself.
The more he shares with others,
the more he possesses.
The more he gives to others,
the richer he becomes.
The Dao of Heaven benefits all
things and causes no harm.
The Dao of the sage acts for
others but never competes with
them.
Chapter 78
Nothing in the world is softer
and weaker than water,
But no force can compare with
it in attacking the hard and
strong.
For this reason there is no
substitute for it.
Everyone in the world knows
that
The soft can overcome the hard,
And the weak can overcome the
strong,
But none can put it into practice.
Therefore the sage says:
"He who shoulders the disgrace
for his nation
Can be the sovereign of the
country;
He who bears the misfortune
of his nation
Can be the king of the world."
Positive words seem to be their
opposite.
Chapter 79
To reconcile two sides in deep
hatred
Is surely to leave some hatred
behind.
If one returns good for evil,
How can this be taken as a proper
solution?
Therefore the sage keeps the
counterfoil of the tally,
Yet he does not demand repayment
of the debt.
The virtuous man is as kind
and generous as the tally keeper
While the non-virtuous is as
harsh and calculating as a tax
collector.
The Dao of Heaven has no preference.
It is constantly with the good
man.
Chapter 80
Let there be a small state with
few people.
It has various kinds of instruments,
But let none of them be used.
Let the people not risk their
lives, and not migrate far away.
Although they have boats and
carriages,
Let there be no occasion to
ride in them.
Although they have armor and
weapons,
Let there be no occasion to
display them.
Let the people return to knotting
cords and using them.
Let them relish their food,
Beautify their clothing,
Feel comfortable in their homes
And delight in their customs.
Although the neighboring states
are within the sight of one
another,
And the crowing of cocks and
barking of dogs
On both sides can be heard,
Their peoples may die of old
age without ever meeting each
other.
Chapter 81
True words are not beautiful;
Beautiful words are not true.
A good man is not an eloquent
arguer;
An eloquent arguer is not a
good man.
He who knows does not show off
his extensive learning;
He who shows off his extensive
learning does not know.
Chapter
1-4 | Chapter
5-12 | Chapter
13-18 | Chapter
19-23 | Chapter
24-28 | Chapter
29-35
Chapter
36-40 | Chapter
41-49 | Chapter
50-54 | Chapter
55-60 | Chapter
61-66
| Chapter
67-73 | Chapter
74-81 |
|