Tao Teh Ching - 60 Interactive Versions

#Click on a sentence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Chapter 38 Chapter 40 Back to index #

Ch. 39	Sentence 1
Beck	The ancients attained oneness. Heaven attained oneness and became clear. Earth attained oneness and became stable. Spirits attained oneness and became divine.
Blackney	These things in ancient times received the One: The sky obtained it and was clarified; The earth received it and was settled firm; The spirits got it and were energized;
Bynner	The wholeness of life has, from of old, been made manifest in its parts: Clarity has been made manifest in heaven, Firmness in earth, Purity in the spirit,
Byrn	The masters of old attained unity with the Tao. Heaven attained unity and became pure. The earth attained unity and found peace. The spirits attained unity so they could minister.
Chan	Of old those that obtained the One: Heaven obtained the One and became clear. Earth obtained the One and became tranquil. The spiritual beings obtained the One and became divine.
Cleary	When unity was attained of old, heaven became clear by attaining unity, earth became steady by attaining unity, spirit was quickened by attaining unity,
Crowley	Those things have possessed the Dao from the beginning: Heaven, clear and shining; Earth, steady and easy; Spirits, mighty in Magick;
Hansen	Things which from the beginning have achieved oneness: Heaven achieves oneness in being clear. Earth achieves oneness in stability. Energy achieves oneness in spirit.
LaFargue	Those that of old got The One Thing: The sky got The One Thing, and by this became clear. The earth got The One Thing, and by this became steady. The spirits got The One Thing, and by this obtained their powers.
Legge	The things which from of old have got the One (the Tao) are - Heaven which by it is bright and pure; Earth rendered thereby firm and sure; Spirits with powers by it supplied;
Lindauer	From old those which are with one: Heavens with one, settling happens Earth with one, a direction happens Spirit with one, animation happens
LinYutan	There were those in ancient times possessed of the One; Through possession of the One, the Heaven was clarified, Through possession of the One, The Earth was stabilized, Through possession of the One, the gods were spiritualized,
Mabry	People of ancient times possessed oneness. The sky attained oneness and so became clear. Earth attained oneness and so found peace. The Spirit attains oneness and so is replenished.
McDonald	There were those in old times who grasped and were possessed of the one: The heaven was much clarified by attaining it. Likewise, the earth got stable or calm by the same [rotating] measure; and demon spirits or gods were spiritualised, became divine.
Merel	In mythical times all things were whole: All the sky was clear, All the earth was stable, All the mountains were firm,
Mitchell	In harmony with the Tao, the sky is clear and spacious, the earth is solid and full,
Muller	These in the past have attained wholeness: Heaven attains wholeness with its clarity; The Earth attains wholeness with its firmness; The Spirit attains wholeness with its transcendence;
Red Pine	Of things that became one in the past Heaven became one and was clear Earth became one and was still spirits became one and were active
Ta-Kao	From of old the things that have acquired Unity are these: Heaven by Unity has become clear; Earth by Unity has become steady; The Spirit by Unity has become spiritual;
Walker	From ancient times these have attained oneness with Tao: Heaven attained oneness and became clear. Earth attained oneness and became peaceful. Spirits attained oneness and became strong.
Wieger	The following participate in primitive simplicity: Heaven, which owes its luminosity to its simplicity. Earth, which owes its stability to it. The universal generative action, which owes its activity to it.
World	All things are at one with Infinity. When humanity is centered in this oneness: the sky remains clear and beautiful, the earth remains pure and sustains life, the spirit of humanity is in harmony,
Wu	From of old there are not lacking things that have attained Oneness. The sky attains Oneness and became clear; The earth attained Oneness and became calm; The spirits attained Oneness and became charged with mystical powers;

Ch. 39 Sentence 2

Beck The valleys attained oneness and became fertile. Creatures attained oneness and lived and grew. Kings and nobles attained oneness and became leaders. What made them so is oneness.

Blackney The valleys had it, filled to overflow; All things, as they partook it came alive; The nobles and the king imbibed the One In order that the realm might upright be; Such things were then accomplished by the One.

Bynner In the valley conception, In the river procreation; And so in a leader are the people made manifest For wholeness of use.

Byrn The valleys attained unity that they might be full. Humanity attained unity that they might flourish. Their leaders attained unity that they might set the example. This is the power of unity.

Chan The valley obtained the One and became full. The myriad things obtained the One and lived and grew. Kings and barons obtained the One and became rulers of the empire. What made them so is the One.

Cleary valley streams were filled by attaining unity, all beings were born by attaining unity; and by attaining unity lords acted rightly for the sake of the world. What brought this about was unity:

Crowley Vehicles, overflowing with Joy; all that has life; and the rulers of men. All these derive their essence from the Dao.

Hansen Valleys achieve oneness in filling. The ten-thousand natural kinds achieve oneness in life. Feifholders and Kings achieve oneness in deem-acting to make the social world correct. They take it to the extreme.

LaFargue The rivers got The One Thing, and by this became full. The thousands of things got The One Thing, and by this came to life. The princes and kings got The One Thing, and by this became the Standard for the World. This is how things came about.

Legge Valleys kept full throughout their void All creatures which through it do live. Princes and kings who from it get the model which to all they give. All these are the results of the One (Tao).

Lindauer Valley with one, fullness happens The 10000 things with one, giving birth happens Nobles and kings with one, pure action in the world happens. These are the results:

LinYutan Through possession of the One, the valleys were made full, Through possession of the One, all things lived and grew, Through possession of the One, the princes and dukes became the ennobled of the people. - that was how each became so.

Mabry The Valleys attained oneness and so became full. The ancient leaders attained oneness And so became examples for all the world. All of this is achieved by oneness.

McDonald The valley likewise became full, the abyss replenished. By staying in the one, all creatures lived and grew. By staying in some basic unity, [Russian] princes and dukes became the ennobled of the people - That was how each became so. Barons and princes direct their people [in some ways]. It's some inner fabric of unified wholeness that sees to it.

Merel All the riverbeds were full, All of nature was fertile, And all the rulers were supported.

Mitchell all creature flourish together, content with the way they are, endlessly repeating themselves, endlessly renewed.

Muller The Valley attain wholeness when filled; The Myriad Things attain wholeness in life; The Ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people.

Red Pine streams became one and were full kings became one and ruled the world

Ta-Kao The Valley by Unity has become full; All things by Unity have come into existence; Princes and kings by Unity have become rulers of the world.

Walker Valleys attained oneness and became full. Beings attained oneness and became fertile. All are what they are by virtue of oneness.

Wieger The median space, which owes its fecundity to it. The life common to all beings. The power of the emperor and the princes. (Life and power being emanations of the Principle). What makes them such as they are, is the (primitive) simplicity (in which they participate).

World the valley is the source of abundance, all creatures reproduce, regenerate and replenish the earth, leaders and kings are in harmony and nations are at peace.

Wu The fountains attained Oneness and became full; The ten thousand creatures attained Oneness and became reproductive; Barons and princes attained Oneness and became sovereign rulers of the world. All of them are what they are by virtue of Oneness.

Ch. 39 Sentence 3

Beck Without clarity, heaven would crack. Without stability, the earth would quake. Without divinity, spirits would dissipate.

Blackney Without its clarity the sky might break; Except it were set firm, the earth might shake; Without their energy the gods would pass;

Bynner But for clarity heaven would be veiled, But for firmness earth would have crumbled, But for purity spirit would have fumbled,

Byrn Without unity, the sky becomes filthy. Without unity, the earth becomes unstable. Without unity, the spirits become unresponsive and disappear.

Chan If heaven had not thus become clear, It would soon crack. If the earth had not thus become tranquil, It would soon be shaken. If the spiritual beings had not thus become divine, They would soon wither away.

Cleary without means of clarity, heaven may burst; without means of steadiness, earth may erupt; without mens of quickening, spirit may be exhausted;

Crowley Without the Dao, Heaven would dissolve; Earth disrupt; Spirits become impotent;

Hansen When heaven lacks that with which to become clear, we're on the point of fearing splitting. When earth lacks that with which to become stable, we're on the point of fearing spreading out. When energy lacks that with which to become spirit, we're on the point of fearing death.

LaFargue The sky, without what makes it clear, is likely to crack. The earth, without what makes it steady, is likely to quake. The spirits, without what gives them powers, are likely to vanish.

Legge If heaven were not thus pure, it soon would rend; If earth were not thus sure, 'twould break and bend; Without these powers, the spirits soon would fail;

Lindauer Heavens absent of settling will, I am afraid, crack Earth absent of direction will, I am afraid, shake Spirit absent of animation will, I am afraid, fall asleep

LinYutan Without clarity, the Heavens would shake, Without stability, the Earth would quake, Without spiritual power, the gods would crumble,

Mabry Without oneness, the sky would crack The Earth explode The Spirit exhaust

McDonald [Man-felt] heaven could soon split open without fundamental clarity. Without basic clarity, heavens might become torn. Without resting, steady stability, the earth might quake and tip over. Without spiritual power, the gods might wither and crumble,

Merel But, losing clarity, the sky tore; Losing stability, the earth split; Losing strength, the mountains sank;

Mitchell When man interferes with the Tao, the sky becomes filthy, the earth becomes depleted, the equilibrium crumbles, creatures become extinct.

Muller In effecting this: If Heaven lacked clarity it would be divided; If the Earth lacked firmness it would fly away; If the spirit lacked transcendence it would be exhausted;

Red Pine but by implication Heaven would crack if it were always clear Earth would crumble if it were always still spirits would fail if they were always active

Ta-Kao If heaven were not clear, it would be rent; If earth were not steady, it would be tumbled down; If the Spirit were not active, it would pass away;

Walker Heaven without clarity would fall. Earth without peace would explode. Spirits without strength would dissipate.

Wieger If heaven came to lose it, it would fall. If the earth came to lose it, it would lose its stability. If the generative action lost it, it should cease to act,

World When humanity focuses on the manifestations of Infinity, distinguishes and judges all things and thereby forgets the oneness of Infinity: the sky becomes cloudy with pollution, the earth becomes a cesspool unable to easily neutralize the many poisons, the spirit of humanity becomes confused and accepts conflict as the nature of humanity,

Wu If the sky were not clear, it would be likely to fall to pieces; If the earth were not calm, it would be likely to burst into bits; If the spirits were not charged with mystical powers, they would be likely to cease from being;

Ch. 39 Sentence 4

Beck Without fertility, the valleys would be barren. Without life and growth, creatures would die off. Without leadership, kings and nobles would fall.

Blackney Unless kept full, the valleys might go dry; Except for life, all things would pass away; Unless the One did lift and hold them high, The nobles and the king might trip and fall.

Bynner But for conception the valley would have failed, But for procreation the river have run dry; So, save for the people, a leader shall die:

Byrn Without unity, the valleys become dry as a desert. Without unity, human kind can't reproduce and becomes extinct. Without unity, our leaders become corrupt and fall.

Chan If the valley had not thus become full, It would soon become exhausted. If the myriad things had not thus lived and grown, They would soon become extinct. If kings and barons had not thus become honourable and high in position, They would soon fall.

Cleary without means of filling, valley streams may dry up; without means of birth, all beings may perish; without means of acting rightly, lords may stumble.

Crowley Vehicles empty; living things would perish, and rulers lose their power.

Hansen When valleys lack that with which to become full, we're on the point of fearing depletion. When the ten-thousand natural kinds lack that with which to become alive, we're on the point of fearing extinction. When fiefholders and kings lack that with which to become noble and exalted, we're on the point of fearing toppling.

LaFargue The rivers, without what makes them full are likely to dry up. The thousands of things, without what gives them life, are likely to perish. The princes and kings, without what makes them eminent and noble, are likely to fall.

Legge If not so filled, the drought would parch each vale; Without that life, creatures would pass away; Princes and kings, without that moral sway, However grand and high, would all decay.

Lindauer Valley absent of fullness will, I am afraid, be used up The 10000 things absent of giving birth will, I am afraid, die off Nobles and kings absent of pure action will, I am afraid, be set back.

LinYutan Valley absent of fullness will, I am afraid, be used up The 10000 things absent of giving birth will, I am afraid, die off Without the ennobling power, the princes and dukes would stumble.

Mabry The Valley deplete Leaders would certainly fall And all life perish.

McDonald Without being filled, the valleys might crack and run dry. If the myriad things had not thus lived and grown all would end without the life-giving sustenance of power. Without the ennobling power, the honourable kings and barons in high places, even the directors of their people, might stumble, some overthrown.

Merel Losing water, the riverbeds cracked; Losing fertility, nature disappeared; And losing support, the rulers fell.

Mitchell -

Muller If the valley lacked fullness it would be depleted; If the myriad things lacked life they would vanish. If the ruler lacks nobility and loftiness he will be tripped up.

Red Pine streams would dry up if they were always full kings would fall if they were always high and noble

Ta-Kao If the Valley were not full, it would be dried up; If all things were not existing, they would be extinct; If princes and kings were not rulers, they would be overthrown.

Walker Valleys without fullness would dry up. Beings without fertility would die off. Sages without wholeness would stumble and fall.

Wieger If the median space lost it, all beings would disappear. If the emperor and the princes should lose it, they would have no more dignity.

World the valley no longer produces abundance and what it does produce is tainted. Leaders and kings take their nations to war in order to control the untainted lands, creatures no longer reproduce, species die out and parts of the earth, unattended by the myriad creatures, no longer regenerate or replenish themselves, the people of all nations live in conflict, fear, hunger and depression.

Wu If the fountains were not full, they would be likely to dry up; If the ten thousand creatures were not reproductive, they would be likely to come to extinction; If the barons and princes were not the sovereign rulers, they would be likely to stumble and fall.

Ch. 39 Sentence 5

Beck Therefore humility is the basis for nobility, and the low is the basis for the high.

Blackney The humble folk support the mighty ones; They are base on which the highest rest.

Bynner Always the low carry the high On a root for growing by. What can stand lofty with no low foundation?

Byrn The great view the small as their source, and the high takes the low as their foundation. Their greatest asset becomes their humility.

Chan Therefore humble station is the basis of honour. The low is the foundation of the high.

Cleary Therefore nobility is rooted in humility, loftiness is based on lowliness.

Crowley The root of grandeur is humility, and the strength of exaltation is its base.

Hansen Hence the noble uses the plebeian as its base. The high uses the low as its foundation.

LaFargue Yes, the eminent takes the common and ignored as a root the noble takes the lowly as a foundation.

Legge Thus it is that dignity finds its (firm) root in its (previous) meanness, and what is lofty finds its stability in the lowness (from which it rises).

Lindauer So it happens that the common acts as a root to the treasured The lower acts as a base to the higher.

LinYutan therefore the nobility depend upon the common man for support, And the exalted ones depend upon the lowly for their base.

Mabry Therefore the Great recognizes the Small as its root. The High takes the Low as its foundation.

McDonald So the humble is the stem upon which the mighty grows. Yes, humble oneness is the basis for all honour. So even the exalted ones depend upon the lowly for their base.

Merel Rulers depend upon their subjects, The noble depend upon the humble;

Mitchell -

Muller Hence Nobility has lowliness as its root The High has the Low as its base.

Red Pine thus the noble is based on the humble the high is founded on the low

Ta-Kao The noble must be styled in the terms of the humble; The high must take the low as their foundation.

Walker Humility is the root of greatness.

Wieger All elevation, all nobility, is based on abasement and simplicity (characteristics proper to the Principle).

World Therefore, never forget that oneness is the essence of harmony; the simple is the way of peace. Leaders and kings consider themselves, alone, ridiculed and misunderstood when they forget their oneness with Infinity. In confusion, they inevitably lead their nations to war.

Wu Truly, humility is the root from which greatness springs, And the high must be built upon the foundation of the low.

Ch. 39 Sentence 6

Beck Thus kings and nobles call themselves orphans, lonely, and unworthy. Do they not depend upon the common people for support?

Blackney The nobles and the king speak of themselves As "orphans," "desolate" and "needy ones." Does this not indicate that they depend Upon the lowly people for support?

Bynner No wonder leaders of a land profess Their stature and their station To be servitude and lowliness!

Byrn They speak of themselves as orphans and widows, thus they truly seek humility.

Chan For this reason kings and barons call themselves children without parents, lonely people without spouses, and men without food to eat. Is this not regarding humble station as the basis of honour? Is it not?

Cleary Thais is why noble people refer to themselves as alone, lacking, and unworthy. Is this not being rooted in humility? So there is no praise in repeated praise; they don't want to be like jewels or like stones.

Crowley Thus rulers speak of themselves as 'Fatherless', 'Virtueless', 'Unworthy', proclaiming by this that their Glory is their shame.

Hansen Using this: Fiefholders and kings refer to themselves as 'this orphan,' 'this lonely one,' and 'this impoverished one.' Is this not taking the plebeian as the base? It's not?!

LaFargue And so, the princes and kings call themselves 'the orphan ... ,' 'the poor ... ,' 'the destitute ... is this not using the common and ignored as a root Is it not so?

Legge Hence princes and kings call themselves 'Orphans,' 'Men of small virtue,' and as 'Carriages without a nave.' Is not this an acknowledgment that in their considering themselves mean they see the foundation of their dignity?

Lindauer Appropriately it happens That kings and nobles call themselves orphaned, widowed, unfavored. Does it not happen that the common acts as root to the anomalous?

LinYutan That is why the princes and dukes call themselves "the orphaned," "the lonely one," "the unworthy." Is is not true then that they depend upon the common man for support?

Mabry Leaders refer to themselves as orphans and widows. Is this not grounding oneself in humility?

McDonald That could be [one reason] why [Russian] princes and dukes call themselves the orphaned," the lonely one," the unworthy," or the truly ill-provided. Is it not true then that they [to some extent] depend upon common man for support, or on hard ruler might rooting itself upon humility?

Merel So rulers call themselves orphaned, hungry and alone, To win the people's support.

Mitchell -

Muller Thus the kings call themselves "the orphan, the lowly, the unworthy." Is this not taking lowliness as the fundamental? Isn't it?

Red Pine thus do kings refer to themselves as orphaned widowed and destitute but this is the basis of humility

Ta-Kao Therefore princes and kings call themselves 'the ignorant', 'the virtueless' and 'the unworthy'. Does this not mean that they take the humble as their root? What men hate most are 'the ignorant', 'the virtueless' and 'the unworthy'. And yet princes and kings choose them as their titles. Therefore the highest fame is to have no fame. Thus kings are increased by being diminished; They are diminished by being increased.

Walker Those in high positions do well to think of themselves as powerless, small and unworthy. Isn't this taking humility for the root?

Wieger Therefore it is right that the emperor and the princes, the most exalted of men, should be designated by the terms sole, unique, incapable, without them being thereby degraded.

World In order to maintain peace and harmony in the land, they must flow in the peace and harmony of the oneness of all things.

Wu That is why barons and princes style themselves "The Helpless One," "The Little One," and "The Worthless One." Perhaps they too realize their dependence upon the lowly.

Ch. 39 Sentence 7

Beck Dismantle the parts of a chariot, and there is no chariot.

Blackney Truly a cart is more than the sum of its parts.

Bynner If rim and spoke and hub were not, Where would be the chariot?

Byrn -

Chan Therefore enumerate all the parts of a chariot as you may, and you still have no chariot.

Cleary So there is no praise in repeated praise;

Crowley So also the virtue of a Chariot is not any of the parts of a Chariot, if they be numbered.

Hansen Hence the extreme of numbering chariots is zero chariots.

LaFargue Yes, enumerate the carriage parts - still not a carriage.

Legge So it is that in the enumeration of the different parts of a carriage we do not come on what makes it answer the ends of a carriage.

Lindauer Are not these the same? So incur praise absent of praising

LinYutan Truly, take down the parts of a chariot, And there is no chariot (left).

Mabry Therefore the highest renown is no renown.

McDonald Just enumerate all the parts of a chariot. and you still have no [unified construct, no] chariot.

Merel

Mitchell The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole. His constant practice is humility.

Muller

Red Pine counting a carriage as no carriage at all

Ta-Kao

Walker Attain honour without being honoured.

Wieger (Applying the same principle of simplicity in their government), they should reduce the multitude of their subjects to unity, considering them with the same serene impartiality as an undivided mass,

World Too much success is a sign that one has begun to focus on manifestations and not on Infinity, the essence of all manifestations.

Wu Truly, too much honour means no honour.

Ch. 39 Sentence 8

Beck Rather than tinkle like jade, rumble like rocks.

Blackney Better to rumble like rocks Than to tinkle like jade.

Bynner Who will prefer the jingle of jade pendants if He once has heard stone growing in a cliff!

Byrn Do not shine like the precious gem, but be as dull as a common stone.

Chan Rather than jingle like the jade, Rumble like the rocks.

Cleary they don't want to be like jewels or like stones.

Crowley They do not seek to appear fine like jade, but inconspicuous like common stone.

Hansen Don't desire to coloured veneer of jade or the solid dullness of a rock.

LaFargue He doesn't wish to glitter and glitter like jade he falls like a stone, falling into oblivion.

Legge They do not wish to show themselves elegant-looking as jade, but (prefer) to be coarse-looking as an (ordinary) stone.

Lindauer Be without desiring to tinkle, tinkle, as if jade Clatter, clatter, as if stone.

LinYutan Rather than jingle like the jade, Rumble like the rocks.

Mabry We do not want to glitter like jewels. We do not want to be as hard as stone.

McDonald So [learn to] rumble like rocks rather than jingle like jade.

Merel

Mitchell He doesn't glitter like a jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Tao, as rugged and common as stone.

Muller In this way you can bring about great effect without burden. Not desiring the rarity of gems Or the manyness of grains of sand.

Red Pine not wanting to clink like jade they clunk like rocks

Ta-Kao It is undesirable to be as prominent as a single gem, Or as monotonously numerous as stones.

Walker Don't shine like jade, or chime like bells.

Wieger not regarding some as precious jade and others like base stones.

World Do not distinguish precious jade. Remain centered in the peace and harmony of the oneness of all things.

Wu It is not wise to shine like jade and resound like stone-chimes.

Ch. 39	Sentence 2
Beck	The valleys attained oneness and became fertile. Creatures attained oneness and lived and grew. Kings and nobles attained oneness and became leaders. What made them so is oneness.
Blackney	The valleys had it, filled to overflow; All things, as they partook it came alive; The nobles and the king imbibed the One In order that the realm might upright be; Such things were then accomplished by the One.
Bynner	In the valley conception, In the river procreation; And so in a leader are the people made manifest For wholeness of use.
Byrn	The valleys attained unity that they might be full. Humanity attained unity that they might flourish. Their leaders attained unity that they might set the example. This is the power of unity.
Chan	The valley obtained the One and became full. The myriad things obtained the One and lived and grew. Kings and barons obtained the One and became rulers of the empire. What made them so is the One.
Cleary	valley streams were filled by attaining unity, all beings were born by attaining unity; and by attaining unity lords acted rightly for the sake of the world. What brought this about was unity:
Crowley	Vehicles, overflowing with Joy; all that has life; and the rulers of men. All these derive their essence from the Dao.
Hansen	Valleys achieve oneness in filling. The ten-thousand natural kinds achieve oneness in life. Feifholders and Kings achieve oneness in deem-acting to make the social world correct. They take it to the extreme.
LaFargue	The rivers got The One Thing, and by this became full. The thousands of things got The One Thing, and by this came to life. The princes and kings got The One Thing, and by this became the Standard for the World. This is how things came about.
Legge	Valleys kept full throughout their void All creatures which through it do live. Princes and kings who from it get the model which to all they give. All these are the results of the One (Tao).
Lindauer	Valley with one, fullness happens The 10000 things with one, giving birth happens Nobles and kings with one, pure action in the world happens. These are the results:
LinYutan	Through possession of the One, the valleys were made full, Through possession of the One, all things lived and grew, Through possession of the One, the princes and dukes became the ennobled of the people. - that was how each became so.
Mabry	The Valleys attained oneness and so became full. The ancient leaders attained oneness And so became examples for all the world. All of this is achieved by oneness.
McDonald	The valley likewise became full, the abyss replenished. By staying in the one, all creatures lived and grew. By staying in some basic unity, [Russian] princes and dukes became the ennobled of the people - That was how each became so. Barons and princes direct their people [in some ways]. It's some inner fabric of unified wholeness that sees to it.
Merel	All the riverbeds were full, All of nature was fertile, And all the rulers were supported.
Mitchell	all creature flourish together, content with the way they are, endlessly repeating themselves, endlessly renewed.
Muller	The Valley attain wholeness when filled; The Myriad Things attain wholeness in life; The Ruler attains wholeness in the correct governance of the people.
Red Pine	streams became one and were full kings became one and ruled the world
Ta-Kao	The Valley by Unity has become full; All things by Unity have come into existence; Princes and kings by Unity have become rulers of the world.
Walker	Valleys attained oneness and became full. Beings attained oneness and became fertile. All are what they are by virtue of oneness.
Wieger	The median space, which owes its fecundity to it. The life common to all beings. The power of the emperor and the princes. (Life and power being emanations of the Principle). What makes them such as they are, is the (primitive) simplicity (in which they participate).
World	the valley is the source of abundance, all creatures reproduce, regenerate and replenish the earth, leaders and kings are in harmony and nations are at peace.
Wu	The fountains attained Oneness and became full; The ten thousand creatures attained Oneness and became reproductive; Barons and princes attained Oneness and became sovereign rulers of the world. All of them are what they are by virtue of Oneness.

Ch. 39	Sentence 3
Beck	Without clarity, heaven would crack. Without stability, the earth would quake. Without divinity, spirits would dissipate.
Blackney	Without its clarity the sky might break; Except it were set firm, the earth might shake; Without their energy the gods would pass;
Bynner	But for clarity heaven would be veiled, But for firmness earth would have crumbled, But for purity spirit would have fumbled,
Byrn	Without unity, the sky becomes filthy. Without unity, the earth becomes unstable. Without unity, the spirits become unresponsive and disappear.
Chan	If heaven had not thus become clear, It would soon crack. If the earth had not thus become tranquil, It would soon be shaken. If the spiritual beings had not thus become divine, They would soon wither away.
Cleary	without means of clarity, heaven may burst; without means of steadiness, earth may erupt; without mens of quickening, spirit may be exhausted;
Crowley	Without the Dao, Heaven would dissolve; Earth disrupt; Spirits become impotent;
Hansen	When heaven lacks that with which to become clear, we're on the point of fearing splitting. When earth lacks that with which to become stable, we're on the point of fearing spreading out. When energy lacks that with which to become spirit, we're on the point of fearing death.
LaFargue	The sky, without what makes it clear, is likely to crack. The earth, without what makes it steady, is likely to quake. The spirits, without what gives them powers, are likely to vanish.
Legge	If heaven were not thus pure, it soon would rend; If earth were not thus sure, 'twould break and bend; Without these powers, the spirits soon would fail;
Lindauer	Heavens absent of settling will, I am afraid, crack Earth absent of direction will, I am afraid, shake Spirit absent of animation will, I am afraid, fall asleep
LinYutan	Without clarity, the Heavens would shake, Without stability, the Earth would quake, Without spiritual power, the gods would crumble,
Mabry	Without oneness, the sky would crack The Earth explode The Spirit exhaust
McDonald	[Man-felt] heaven could soon split open without fundamental clarity. Without basic clarity, heavens might become torn. Without resting, steady stability, the earth might quake and tip over. Without spiritual power, the gods might wither and crumble,
Merel	But, losing clarity, the sky tore; Losing stability, the earth split; Losing strength, the mountains sank;
Mitchell	When man interferes with the Tao, the sky becomes filthy, the earth becomes depleted, the equilibrium crumbles, creatures become extinct.
Muller	In effecting this: If Heaven lacked clarity it would be divided; If the Earth lacked firmness it would fly away; If the spirit lacked transcendence it would be exhausted;
Red Pine	but by implication Heaven would crack if it were always clear Earth would crumble if it were always still spirits would fail if they were always active
Ta-Kao	If heaven were not clear, it would be rent; If earth were not steady, it would be tumbled down; If the Spirit were not active, it would pass away;
Walker	Heaven without clarity would fall. Earth without peace would explode. Spirits without strength would dissipate.
Wieger	If heaven came to lose it, it would fall. If the earth came to lose it, it would lose its stability. If the generative action lost it, it should cease to act,
World	When humanity focuses on the manifestations of Infinity, distinguishes and judges all things and thereby forgets the oneness of Infinity: the sky becomes cloudy with pollution, the earth becomes a cesspool unable to easily neutralize the many poisons, the spirit of humanity becomes confused and accepts conflict as the nature of humanity,
Wu	If the sky were not clear, it would be likely to fall to pieces; If the earth were not calm, it would be likely to burst into bits; If the spirits were not charged with mystical powers, they would be likely to cease from being;

Ch. 39	Sentence 4
Beck	Without fertility, the valleys would be barren. Without life and growth, creatures would die off. Without leadership, kings and nobles would fall.
Blackney	Unless kept full, the valleys might go dry; Except for life, all things would pass away; Unless the One did lift and hold them high, The nobles and the king might trip and fall.
Bynner	But for conception the valley would have failed, But for procreation the river have run dry; So, save for the people, a leader shall die:
Byrn	Without unity, the valleys become dry as a desert. Without unity, human kind can't reproduce and becomes extinct. Without unity, our leaders become corrupt and fall.
Chan	If the valley had not thus become full, It would soon become exhausted. If the myriad things had not thus lived and grown, They would soon become extinct. If kings and barons had not thus become honourable and high in position, They would soon fall.
Cleary	without means of filling, valley streams may dry up; without means of birth, all beings may perish; without means of acting rightly, lords may stumble.
Crowley	Vehicles empty; living things would perish, and rulers lose their power.
Hansen	When valleys lack that with which to become full, we're on the point of fearing depletion. When the ten-thousand natural kinds lack that with which to become alive, we're on the point of fearing extinction. When fiefholders and kings lack that with which to become noble and exalted, we're on the point of fearing toppling.
LaFargue	The rivers, without what makes them full are likely to dry up. The thousands of things, without what gives them life, are likely to perish. The princes and kings, without what makes them eminent and noble, are likely to fall.
Legge	If not so filled, the drought would parch each vale; Without that life, creatures would pass away; Princes and kings, without that moral sway, However grand and high, would all decay.
Lindauer	Valley absent of fullness will, I am afraid, be used up The 10000 things absent of giving birth will, I am afraid, die off Nobles and kings absent of pure action will, I am afraid, be set back.
LinYutan	Valley absent of fullness will, I am afraid, be used up The 10000 things absent of giving birth will, I am afraid, die off Without the ennobling power, the princes and dukes would stumble.
Mabry	The Valley deplete Leaders would certainly fall And all life perish.
McDonald	Without being filled, the valleys might crack and run dry. If the myriad things had not thus lived and grown all would end without the life-giving sustenance of power. Without the ennobling power, the honourable kings and barons in high places, even the directors of their people, might stumble, some overthrown.
Merel	Losing water, the riverbeds cracked; Losing fertility, nature disappeared; And losing support, the rulers fell.
Mitchell	-
Muller	If the valley lacked fullness it would be depleted; If the myriad things lacked life they would vanish. If the ruler lacks nobility and loftiness he will be tripped up.
Red Pine	streams would dry up if they were always full kings would fall if they were always high and noble
Ta-Kao	If the Valley were not full, it would be dried up; If all things were not existing, they would be extinct; If princes and kings were not rulers, they would be overthrown.
Walker	Valleys without fullness would dry up. Beings without fertility would die off. Sages without wholeness would stumble and fall.
Wieger	If the median space lost it, all beings would disappear. If the emperor and the princes should lose it, they would have no more dignity.
World	the valley no longer produces abundance and what it does produce is tainted. Leaders and kings take their nations to war in order to control the untainted lands, creatures no longer reproduce, species die out and parts of the earth, unattended by the myriad creatures, no longer regenerate or replenish themselves, the people of all nations live in conflict, fear, hunger and depression.
Wu	If the fountains were not full, they would be likely to dry up; If the ten thousand creatures were not reproductive, they would be likely to come to extinction; If the barons and princes were not the sovereign rulers, they would be likely to stumble and fall.

Ch. 39	Sentence 5
Beck	Therefore humility is the basis for nobility, and the low is the basis for the high.
Blackney	The humble folk support the mighty ones; They are base on which the highest rest.
Bynner	Always the low carry the high On a root for growing by. What can stand lofty with no low foundation?
Byrn	The great view the small as their source, and the high takes the low as their foundation. Their greatest asset becomes their humility.
Chan	Therefore humble station is the basis of honour. The low is the foundation of the high.
Cleary	Therefore nobility is rooted in humility, loftiness is based on lowliness.
Crowley	The root of grandeur is humility, and the strength of exaltation is its base.
Hansen	Hence the noble uses the plebeian as its base. The high uses the low as its foundation.
LaFargue	Yes, the eminent takes the common and ignored as a root the noble takes the lowly as a foundation.
Legge	Thus it is that dignity finds its (firm) root in its (previous) meanness, and what is lofty finds its stability in the lowness (from which it rises).
Lindauer	So it happens that the common acts as a root to the treasured The lower acts as a base to the higher.
LinYutan	therefore the nobility depend upon the common man for support, And the exalted ones depend upon the lowly for their base.
Mabry	Therefore the Great recognizes the Small as its root. The High takes the Low as its foundation.
McDonald	So the humble is the stem upon which the mighty grows. Yes, humble oneness is the basis for all honour. So even the exalted ones depend upon the lowly for their base.
Merel	Rulers depend upon their subjects, The noble depend upon the humble;
Mitchell	-
Muller	Hence Nobility has lowliness as its root The High has the Low as its base.
Red Pine	thus the noble is based on the humble the high is founded on the low
Ta-Kao	The noble must be styled in the terms of the humble; The high must take the low as their foundation.
Walker	Humility is the root of greatness.
Wieger	All elevation, all nobility, is based on abasement and simplicity (characteristics proper to the Principle).
World	Therefore, never forget that oneness is the essence of harmony; the simple is the way of peace. Leaders and kings consider themselves, alone, ridiculed and misunderstood when they forget their oneness with Infinity. In confusion, they inevitably lead their nations to war.
Wu	Truly, humility is the root from which greatness springs, And the high must be built upon the foundation of the low.

Ch. 39	Sentence 6
Beck	Thus kings and nobles call themselves orphans, lonely, and unworthy. Do they not depend upon the common people for support?
Blackney	The nobles and the king speak of themselves As "orphans," "desolate" and "needy ones." Does this not indicate that they depend Upon the lowly people for support?
Bynner	No wonder leaders of a land profess Their stature and their station To be servitude and lowliness!
Byrn	They speak of themselves as orphans and widows, thus they truly seek humility.
Chan	For this reason kings and barons call themselves children without parents, lonely people without spouses, and men without food to eat. Is this not regarding humble station as the basis of honour? Is it not?
Cleary	Thais is why noble people refer to themselves as alone, lacking, and unworthy. Is this not being rooted in humility? So there is no praise in repeated praise; they don't want to be like jewels or like stones.
Crowley	Thus rulers speak of themselves as 'Fatherless', 'Virtueless', 'Unworthy', proclaiming by this that their Glory is their shame.
Hansen	Using this: Fiefholders and kings refer to themselves as 'this orphan,' 'this lonely one,' and 'this impoverished one.' Is this not taking the plebeian as the base? It's not?!
LaFargue	And so, the princes and kings call themselves 'the orphan ... ,' 'the poor ... ,' 'the destitute ... is this not using the common and ignored as a root Is it not so?
Legge	Hence princes and kings call themselves 'Orphans,' 'Men of small virtue,' and as 'Carriages without a nave.' Is not this an acknowledgment that in their considering themselves mean they see the foundation of their dignity?
Lindauer	Appropriately it happens That kings and nobles call themselves orphaned, widowed, unfavored. Does it not happen that the common acts as root to the anomalous?
LinYutan	That is why the princes and dukes call themselves "the orphaned," "the lonely one," "the unworthy." Is is not true then that they depend upon the common man for support?
Mabry	Leaders refer to themselves as orphans and widows. Is this not grounding oneself in humility?
McDonald	That could be [one reason] why [Russian] princes and dukes call themselves the orphaned," the lonely one," the unworthy," or the truly ill-provided. Is it not true then that they [to some extent] depend upon common man for support, or on hard ruler might rooting itself upon humility?
Merel	So rulers call themselves orphaned, hungry and alone, To win the people's support.
Mitchell	-
Muller	Thus the kings call themselves "the orphan, the lowly, the unworthy." Is this not taking lowliness as the fundamental? Isn't it?
Red Pine	thus do kings refer to themselves as orphaned widowed and destitute but this is the basis of humility
Ta-Kao	Therefore princes and kings call themselves 'the ignorant', 'the virtueless' and 'the unworthy'. Does this not mean that they take the humble as their root? What men hate most are 'the ignorant', 'the virtueless' and 'the unworthy'. And yet princes and kings choose them as their titles. Therefore the highest fame is to have no fame. Thus kings are increased by being diminished; They are diminished by being increased.
Walker	Those in high positions do well to think of themselves as powerless, small and unworthy. Isn't this taking humility for the root?
Wieger	Therefore it is right that the emperor and the princes, the most exalted of men, should be designated by the terms sole, unique, incapable, without them being thereby degraded.
World	In order to maintain peace and harmony in the land, they must flow in the peace and harmony of the oneness of all things.
Wu	That is why barons and princes style themselves "The Helpless One," "The Little One," and "The Worthless One." Perhaps they too realize their dependence upon the lowly.

Ch. 39	Sentence 7
Beck	Dismantle the parts of a chariot, and there is no chariot.
Blackney	Truly a cart is more than the sum of its parts.
Bynner	If rim and spoke and hub were not, Where would be the chariot?
Byrn	-
Chan	Therefore enumerate all the parts of a chariot as you may, and you still have no chariot.
Cleary	So there is no praise in repeated praise;
Crowley	So also the virtue of a Chariot is not any of the parts of a Chariot, if they be numbered.
Hansen	Hence the extreme of numbering chariots is zero chariots.
LaFargue	Yes, enumerate the carriage parts - still not a carriage.
Legge	So it is that in the enumeration of the different parts of a carriage we do not come on what makes it answer the ends of a carriage.
Lindauer	Are not these the same? So incur praise absent of praising
LinYutan	Truly, take down the parts of a chariot, And there is no chariot (left).
Mabry	Therefore the highest renown is no renown.
McDonald	Just enumerate all the parts of a chariot. and you still have no [unified construct, no] chariot.
Merel
Mitchell	The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole. His constant practice is humility.
Muller
Red Pine	counting a carriage as no carriage at all
Ta-Kao
Walker	Attain honour without being honoured.
Wieger	(Applying the same principle of simplicity in their government), they should reduce the multitude of their subjects to unity, considering them with the same serene impartiality as an undivided mass,
World	Too much success is a sign that one has begun to focus on manifestations and not on Infinity, the essence of all manifestations.
Wu	Truly, too much honour means no honour.

Ch. 39	Sentence 8
Beck	Rather than tinkle like jade, rumble like rocks.
Blackney	Better to rumble like rocks Than to tinkle like jade.
Bynner	Who will prefer the jingle of jade pendants if He once has heard stone growing in a cliff!
Byrn	Do not shine like the precious gem, but be as dull as a common stone.
Chan	Rather than jingle like the jade, Rumble like the rocks.
Cleary	they don't want to be like jewels or like stones.
Crowley	They do not seek to appear fine like jade, but inconspicuous like common stone.
Hansen	Don't desire to coloured veneer of jade or the solid dullness of a rock.
LaFargue	He doesn't wish to glitter and glitter like jade he falls like a stone, falling into oblivion.
Legge	They do not wish to show themselves elegant-looking as jade, but (prefer) to be coarse-looking as an (ordinary) stone.
Lindauer	Be without desiring to tinkle, tinkle, as if jade Clatter, clatter, as if stone.
LinYutan	Rather than jingle like the jade, Rumble like the rocks.
Mabry	We do not want to glitter like jewels. We do not want to be as hard as stone.
McDonald	So [learn to] rumble like rocks rather than jingle like jade.
Merel
Mitchell	He doesn't glitter like a jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Tao, as rugged and common as stone.
Muller	In this way you can bring about great effect without burden. Not desiring the rarity of gems Or the manyness of grains of sand.
Red Pine	not wanting to clink like jade they clunk like rocks
Ta-Kao	It is undesirable to be as prominent as a single gem, Or as monotonously numerous as stones.
Walker	Don't shine like jade, or chime like bells.
Wieger	not regarding some as precious jade and others like base stones.
World	Do not distinguish precious jade. Remain centered in the peace and harmony of the oneness of all things.
Wu	It is not wise to shine like jade and resound like stone-chimes.