道德經
Translated by James Legge · 1891
Public domain translation (1891).
One of the sources behind Lao Tzu.
Chapter 1
The Tao that can be trodden is not the enduring and unchanging Tao. The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name. Conceived of as having n…
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Chapter 8
The highest excellence is like that of water. The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving to the contra…
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Chapter 9
It is better to leave a vessel unfilled, than to attempt to carry it when it is full. When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdr…
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Chapter 22
The partial becomes complete; the crooked, straight; the empty, full; the worn out, new. He whose desires are few gets them; he whose desires are many goes astr…
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Chapter 33
He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty. He who is sati…
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Chapter 44
Or fame or life, which do you hold more dear? Or life or wealth, to which would you adhere? Who cleaves to fame rejects what is more great; who loves large stor…
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Chapter 64
That which is at rest is easily kept hold of; before a thing has given indications of its presence, it is easy to take measures against it. The tree which fills…
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Chapter 76
Man at his birth is supple and weak; at his death, firm and strong. So it is with all things. Trees and plants, in their early growth, are soft and brittle; at …
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