Tao Te Ching: Introduction by Sarah Allan (Everyman's Library Classics Series)

Written during the golden age of Chinese philosophy and composed partly in prose and partly in verse the Tao Te Ching is surely the most terse and economical of the world’s great religious texts. In a series of short profound chapters it elucidates the idea of the Tao or the Way-an idea that in its ethical practical and spiritual dimensions has become essential to the life of China’s enormously powerful civilization. In the process of this elucidation Lao-tzu both clarifies and deepens those central religious mysteries around which our life on earth revolves.Translation of the Ma Wang Tui Manuscripts by D. C. Lau Review “The power of the Lao-tzu’s imagery and ultimately the simplicity of its message seem to be able to overcome the problems of language and of distance in time and place so that at the end of the twentieth century this has become one of the most influential of texts cherished by people in all walks of life throughout the world.” -from the Introduction by Sarah Allan From the Back Cover The Tao Te Ching is surely the most terse and economical of the worlds great religious texts. In a series of short profound chapters it elucidates the idea of the Tao or the Way--an idea that in its ethical practical and spiritual dimensions has become essential to the life of Chinas enormously powerful civilization. In the process of this elucidation its author Laotzu both clarifies and deepens those central religious mysteries around which our life on earth revolves. About the Author Lao Tzu (also Laozi) was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer. He is known as the reputed author ofTao Te Ching and the founder of philosophical Taoism. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. ONEThe Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth. The named is the mother of ten thousand things. Ever desireless one can see the mystery. Ever desiring one can see the manifestations. These two spring from the same source but differ in name; This appears as darkness. Darkness within darkness. The gate to all mystery.TWOUnder heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil. Therefore having and not having arise together; Difficult and easy complement each other; Long and short contrast each other; High and low rest upon each other; Voice and sound harmonize each other; Front and back follow each other. Therefore the wise go about doing nothing teaching -no--talking. The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease Creating yet not possessing Working yet not taking credit. Work is done then forgotten. Therefore it lasts forever.THREENot exalting the gifted prevents quarreling. Not collecting treasures prevents stealing. Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart. The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies By weakening ambitions and strengthening bones. If people lack knowledge and desire Then it is best not to interfere. If nothing is done then all will be well.FOURThe Tao is an empty vessel; it is used but never filled. Oh unfathomable source of ten thousand things! Blunt the sharpness Untangle the knot Soften the glare Merge with dust. Oh hidden deep but ever present! I do not know from whence it comes. It is the forefather of the ancestors.FIVEHeaven and earth are impartial; They see the ten thousand things as they are. The wise are impartial; They see the people as they are. The space between heaven and earth is like a bellows. The shape changes but not the form; The more it moves the more it yields. More words count less. Hold fast to the center.