Tao Teh Ching - 60 Interactive Versions

#Click on a sentence 1 2 3 4 Chapter 65 Chapter 67 Back to index #

Ch. 66	Sentence 1
Beck	Great rivers and seas are lords of all mountain streams, because they are good at staying below them. Therefore they are lords of the streams.
Blackney	How could the rivers and the seas Become like kings to valleys? Because of skill in lowliness They have become the valley's lords.
Bynner	Why are rivers and seas lords of the waters? Because they afford the common level And so become lords of the waters.
Byrn	Rivers and seas are rulers of the streams of hundreds of valleys because of the power of their low position.
Chan	The great rivers and seas are kings of all mountains streams Because they skilfully stay below them. That is why they can be their kings.
Cleary	The reason why rivers and seas can be lords of the hundred valleys is that they lower themselves to them all; therefore they can be lords of the hundred valleys.
Crowley	The oceans and rivers attract the streams by their skill in being lower than they; thus are they masters thereof.
Hansen	The reason rivers and oceans can deem-act as kings of a hundred valleys: Is that they are good-at lowering them. Hence they are able to deem-act as king of a hundred valleys.
LaFargue	The Yang-tze and the ocean: How are they able to be Kings of the hundred streams? Because they excel at being low - this is how they are able to be Kings of the hundred streams.
Legge	That whereby the rivers and seas are able to receive the homage and tribute of all the valley streams, is their skill in being lower than they; - it is thus that they are the kings of them all.
Lindauer	In the place of rivers and seas The ability to act as that which is the king of one hundred valleys happens It happens they value being low So the ability to act as the king of one hundred valleys happens.
LinYutan	How did the great rivers and seas become the Lords of the ravines? By being good at keeping low. That was how they became Lords of the Ravines.
Mabry	Rivers and the sea are able to rule the streams of a hundred valleys. Because they are good at taking the lower position, The streams of a hundred valleys run to them.
McDonald	How did the great rivers and seas become the kings of the ravines? By being experts at keeping low.
Merel	The river carves out the valley by flowing beneath it. Thereby the river is the master of the valley.
Mitchell	All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power.
Muller	The reason the river and sea can be regarded as The rulers of all the valley streams Is because of their being below them. Therefore they can be their rulers.
Red Pine	The reason the sea can govern a hundred rivers is because it has mastered being lower thus it can govern a hundred rivers
Ta-Kao	As Tao is to the world so are streams and valleys to rivers and seas. Rivers and seas can be kings to all valleys because the former can well lower themselves to the latter. Thus they become kings to all valleys.
Walker	The sea is king of the valleys and streams because it is willing to be beneath them.
Wieger	Why are the oceans and rivers kings of all the valleys? (receiving all the watercourses in tribute). Because they are benevolently the inferiors of all the valleys (with regard to levels). That is why all the water flows towards them.
World	Why are the great oceans the rulers of all rivers? Because they occupy a lower space. Therefore, their humility lifts them up.
Wu	How does the sea become the king of all streams? Because it lies lower than they! Hence it is the king of all streams.

Ch. 66 Sentence 2

Beck Thus the wise in watching over the people speak humbly from below the people, and in leading the people get behind them.

Blackney So then to be above the folk, You speak as if you were beneath; And if you wish to be out front, Then act as if you were behind.

Bynner The common people love a sound man Because he does not talk above their level, Because, though he lead them, He follows them,

Byrn If you want to be the ruler of people, you must speak to them like you are their servant. If you want to lead other people, you must put their interest ahead of your own. The people will not feel burdened, if a wise person is in a position of power.

Chan Therefore, in order to be the superior of the people, One must, in the use of words, place himself below them. And in order to be ahead of the people, One must, in one's own person, follow them.

Cleary So when sages wish to rise above people, they lower themselves to them in their speech. When they want to preceed people, they go after them in status.

Crowley So the Wise Man, to be above men, speaks lowly; and to precede them acts with humility.

Hansen Using this: if you desire to elevate the people, you must use language to diminish them. If you desire to place the people first, you must treat them as less than your body.

LaFargue And so: Wishing to be high above the people, you must by your speech put yourself at the bottom Wishing to be out in front of the people, you must put your self in the last place.

Legge So it is that the sage (ruler), wishing to be above men, puts himself by his words below them, and, wishing to be before them, places his person behind them.

Lindauer Appropriately it happens that Desire to be above people seeds the occurrence of words being low Desire to precede people seeds the occurrence of the body following

LinYutan Therefore in order to be the chief among the people, One must speak like their inferiors. In order to be foremost among the people, One must walk behind them.

Mabry Therefore, if you want to rule effectively over people You must surely speak as if below them. If you want to lead well, You must surely walk behind them.

McDonald Therefore to be above the people you have to speak as though you're lower than the people in some ways. So to be ahead of the people, you have to follow them in your own person. To be foremost or guide well, walk behind.

Merel In order to master people One must speak as their servant; In order to lead people One must follow them.

Mitchell If you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them. If you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them.

Muller So if you want to be over people You must speak humbly to them. If you want to lead them You must place yourself behind them.

Red Pine thus if the sage would be above the people he should speak as if he were below them if he would be before them he should act as though he were behind them

Ta-Kao Therefore the Sage, in order to be above the people, must in words keep below them; In order to be ahead of the people, he must in person keep behind them.

Walker One who wishes to guide the people should be humble in her speech toward them. One who wishes to lead the people must learn the art of following them.

Wieger Following this example, the Sage who wishes to become superior to the common people should speak in words beneath himself (speak very humbly of himself). If he wishes to become the first, he should put himself in last place, (and continue to do so, after he has been exalted).

World If the sage is to manifest peace she must be humble in her speech. If she is to lead others she must follow them in harmony.

Wu Therefore, the Sage reigns over the people by humbling himself in speech; And leads the people by putting himself behind.

Ch. 66 Sentence 3

Beck In this way the wise watch over the people but do not oppress them; they lead the people but do not block them. Thus everyone happily goes along without getting tired.

Blackney The Wise Man so is up above But is no burden to the folk; His station is ahead of them To see they do not come to harm. The world will gladly help along The Wise Man and will bear no grudge.

Bynner He imposes no weight upon them; And they in turn, because he does not impede them, Yield to him, content:

Byrn The people will not feel like they are being manipulated, if a wise person is in front as their leader. The whole world will ask for her guidance, and will never get tired of her.

Chan Therefore the sage rejoices in praising him without getting tired of it.

Cleary So when sages rule, people don't take it gravely. And when sages are in the forefront, people don't attack them. Therefore the world happily backs them and does not tire of them.

Crowley Thus, though he be above them, they feel no burden; nor, though he precede them, do they feel insulted. So then do all men delight to honour him, and grow not weary of him.

Hansen Using this: Sages occupy the upper position and the people are not important. Occupy the prior position and the people are not harmed. Using this: the social world happily promotes and does not resent.

LaFargue And so, the Wise Person: Stands above, but the people are not weighed down stands out in front, but the people are not harmed and so the world delights in praising him, and does not tire.

Legge In this way though he has his place above them, men do not feel his weight, nor though he has his place before them, do they feel it an injury to them. Therefore all in the world delight to exalt him and do not weary of him.

Lindauer Appropriately it happens that sages Dwell above yet people lack heaviness Dwell in front yet people are without being held back Appropriately it happens That the world joyfully supports them yet without tiring.

LinYutan Thus it is that the Sage stays above, And the people do not feel his weight; Walks in front, And the people do not wish him harm. Then the people of the world are glad to uphold him forever.

Mabry That way when the age takes a position of power The people will not feel oppressed. And when the Sage leads The people will not think he is in the way. Therefore the world joyfully praises him and does not tire of him.

McDonald The wise man keeps himself on top, and the people hardly feels his weight or get crushed by it in time. He guides in this way, and the people don't harm him the least. He can even walk in front [as an example], and people don't wish him harm. [Let's hope that.] In this dynamic [guru] way everything under heaven will be glad to be pushed by him and will not find his guidance irksome. Then the people of the world are glad, the world rejoices and praises him without getting tired of it, in order to uphold him forever.

Merel So when the sage rises above the people, They do not feel oppressed; And when the sage stands before the people, They do not feel hindered. So the popularity of the sage does not fail,

Mitchell The Master is above the people, and no one feels oppressed. She goes ahead of the people, and no one feels manipulated. The whole world is grateful to her.

Muller Thus the sage is positioned above And the people do not feel oppressed. He is in front and they feel nothing wrong. Therefore they like to push him front and never resent him.

Red Pine thus when the sage is above the people are not burdened when he is in front the people are not hindered the world never wearies of pushing him forward

Ta-Kao Thus when he is above, the people do not feel his burden; When he is ahead, the people do not feel his hindrance. Therefore all the world is pleased to hold him in high esteem and never get tired of him.

Walker The sage is above the people, but they don't feel her weight. She stays ahead of the people, and no harm comes to them. She has the affection of the whole world.

Wieger He could then be elevated to the highest peak without the people feeling oppressed by him; he could be the first without the people complaining about him. The whole empire would serve him with joy, without becoming weary of him.

World When the sage leads, the people do not feel enslaved. When she stands above them, they feel at one with her. Because she is in harmony with others, they support her and never consider her a burden.

Wu Thus it is that when a Sage stands above the people, they do not feel the heaviness of his weight; And when he stands in front of the people, they do not feel hurt. Therefore all the world is glad to push him forward without getting tired of him.

Ch. 66 Sentence 4

Beck Because they do not compete, the world cannot compete with them.

Blackney Since he contends not for his own The world will not contend with him.

Bynner People never tire of anyone Who is not bent upon comparison.

Byrn Because she does not like to compete, no one can compete with the things she accomplishes.

Chan It is precisely because he does not compete that the world cannot compete with him.

Cleary Because they do not contend, no one in the world can contend with them.

Crowley He contends not against any man; therefore no man is able to contend against him.

Hansen It's because he does not dispute. So in the social world, nothing disputes with him.

LaFargue Because of his not contending no one in the world can contend with him.

Legge Because he does not strive, no one finds it possible to strive with him.

Lindauer It happens they lack contention So in the world noone is able to be contending with them.

LinYutan Because he does not contend, No one in the world can contend against him.

Mabry Because he refuses to compete, The word cannot compete with him.

McDonald He accomplishes his aims by overt non-striving. Because he doesn't compete in the open, no one can compete well with him.

Merel He does not contend, and no one contends against him.

Mitchell Because she competes with no one, no one can compete with her.

Muller Since he does not contend No one can contend with him.

Red Pine because he doesn't struggle no one can struggle against him

Ta-Kao Because he does not compete; therefore no one competes with him.

Walker Because she contends with no one, no one can contend with her.

Wieger For, not being opposed to anyone, no one would be opposed to him.

World She is not confused. Therefore, she does not contend with others and they do not contend with her.

Wu Just because he strives with nobody, Nobody can ever strive with him.

Ch. 66	Sentence 2
Beck	Thus the wise in watching over the people speak humbly from below the people, and in leading the people get behind them.
Blackney	So then to be above the folk, You speak as if you were beneath; And if you wish to be out front, Then act as if you were behind.
Bynner	The common people love a sound man Because he does not talk above their level, Because, though he lead them, He follows them,
Byrn	If you want to be the ruler of people, you must speak to them like you are their servant. If you want to lead other people, you must put their interest ahead of your own. The people will not feel burdened, if a wise person is in a position of power.
Chan	Therefore, in order to be the superior of the people, One must, in the use of words, place himself below them. And in order to be ahead of the people, One must, in one's own person, follow them.
Cleary	So when sages wish to rise above people, they lower themselves to them in their speech. When they want to preceed people, they go after them in status.
Crowley	So the Wise Man, to be above men, speaks lowly; and to precede them acts with humility.
Hansen	Using this: if you desire to elevate the people, you must use language to diminish them. If you desire to place the people first, you must treat them as less than your body.
LaFargue	And so: Wishing to be high above the people, you must by your speech put yourself at the bottom Wishing to be out in front of the people, you must put your self in the last place.
Legge	So it is that the sage (ruler), wishing to be above men, puts himself by his words below them, and, wishing to be before them, places his person behind them.
Lindauer	Appropriately it happens that Desire to be above people seeds the occurrence of words being low Desire to precede people seeds the occurrence of the body following
LinYutan	Therefore in order to be the chief among the people, One must speak like their inferiors. In order to be foremost among the people, One must walk behind them.
Mabry	Therefore, if you want to rule effectively over people You must surely speak as if below them. If you want to lead well, You must surely walk behind them.
McDonald	Therefore to be above the people you have to speak as though you're lower than the people in some ways. So to be ahead of the people, you have to follow them in your own person. To be foremost or guide well, walk behind.
Merel	In order to master people One must speak as their servant; In order to lead people One must follow them.
Mitchell	If you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them. If you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them.
Muller	So if you want to be over people You must speak humbly to them. If you want to lead them You must place yourself behind them.
Red Pine	thus if the sage would be above the people he should speak as if he were below them if he would be before them he should act as though he were behind them
Ta-Kao	Therefore the Sage, in order to be above the people, must in words keep below them; In order to be ahead of the people, he must in person keep behind them.
Walker	One who wishes to guide the people should be humble in her speech toward them. One who wishes to lead the people must learn the art of following them.
Wieger	Following this example, the Sage who wishes to become superior to the common people should speak in words beneath himself (speak very humbly of himself). If he wishes to become the first, he should put himself in last place, (and continue to do so, after he has been exalted).
World	If the sage is to manifest peace she must be humble in her speech. If she is to lead others she must follow them in harmony.
Wu	Therefore, the Sage reigns over the people by humbling himself in speech; And leads the people by putting himself behind.

Ch. 66	Sentence 3
Beck	In this way the wise watch over the people but do not oppress them; they lead the people but do not block them. Thus everyone happily goes along without getting tired.
Blackney	The Wise Man so is up above But is no burden to the folk; His station is ahead of them To see they do not come to harm. The world will gladly help along The Wise Man and will bear no grudge.
Bynner	He imposes no weight upon them; And they in turn, because he does not impede them, Yield to him, content:
Byrn	The people will not feel like they are being manipulated, if a wise person is in front as their leader. The whole world will ask for her guidance, and will never get tired of her.
Chan	Therefore the sage rejoices in praising him without getting tired of it.
Cleary	So when sages rule, people don't take it gravely. And when sages are in the forefront, people don't attack them. Therefore the world happily backs them and does not tire of them.
Crowley	Thus, though he be above them, they feel no burden; nor, though he precede them, do they feel insulted. So then do all men delight to honour him, and grow not weary of him.
Hansen	Using this: Sages occupy the upper position and the people are not important. Occupy the prior position and the people are not harmed. Using this: the social world happily promotes and does not resent.
LaFargue	And so, the Wise Person: Stands above, but the people are not weighed down stands out in front, but the people are not harmed and so the world delights in praising him, and does not tire.
Legge	In this way though he has his place above them, men do not feel his weight, nor though he has his place before them, do they feel it an injury to them. Therefore all in the world delight to exalt him and do not weary of him.
Lindauer	Appropriately it happens that sages Dwell above yet people lack heaviness Dwell in front yet people are without being held back Appropriately it happens That the world joyfully supports them yet without tiring.
LinYutan	Thus it is that the Sage stays above, And the people do not feel his weight; Walks in front, And the people do not wish him harm. Then the people of the world are glad to uphold him forever.
Mabry	That way when the age takes a position of power The people will not feel oppressed. And when the Sage leads The people will not think he is in the way. Therefore the world joyfully praises him and does not tire of him.
McDonald	The wise man keeps himself on top, and the people hardly feels his weight or get crushed by it in time. He guides in this way, and the people don't harm him the least. He can even walk in front [as an example], and people don't wish him harm. [Let's hope that.] In this dynamic [guru] way everything under heaven will be glad to be pushed by him and will not find his guidance irksome. Then the people of the world are glad, the world rejoices and praises him without getting tired of it, in order to uphold him forever.
Merel	So when the sage rises above the people, They do not feel oppressed; And when the sage stands before the people, They do not feel hindered. So the popularity of the sage does not fail,
Mitchell	The Master is above the people, and no one feels oppressed. She goes ahead of the people, and no one feels manipulated. The whole world is grateful to her.
Muller	Thus the sage is positioned above And the people do not feel oppressed. He is in front and they feel nothing wrong. Therefore they like to push him front and never resent him.
Red Pine	thus when the sage is above the people are not burdened when he is in front the people are not hindered the world never wearies of pushing him forward
Ta-Kao	Thus when he is above, the people do not feel his burden; When he is ahead, the people do not feel his hindrance. Therefore all the world is pleased to hold him in high esteem and never get tired of him.
Walker	The sage is above the people, but they don't feel her weight. She stays ahead of the people, and no harm comes to them. She has the affection of the whole world.
Wieger	He could then be elevated to the highest peak without the people feeling oppressed by him; he could be the first without the people complaining about him. The whole empire would serve him with joy, without becoming weary of him.
World	When the sage leads, the people do not feel enslaved. When she stands above them, they feel at one with her. Because she is in harmony with others, they support her and never consider her a burden.
Wu	Thus it is that when a Sage stands above the people, they do not feel the heaviness of his weight; And when he stands in front of the people, they do not feel hurt. Therefore all the world is glad to push him forward without getting tired of him.

Ch. 66	Sentence 4
Beck	Because they do not compete, the world cannot compete with them.
Blackney	Since he contends not for his own The world will not contend with him.
Bynner	People never tire of anyone Who is not bent upon comparison.
Byrn	Because she does not like to compete, no one can compete with the things she accomplishes.
Chan	It is precisely because he does not compete that the world cannot compete with him.
Cleary	Because they do not contend, no one in the world can contend with them.
Crowley	He contends not against any man; therefore no man is able to contend against him.
Hansen	It's because he does not dispute. So in the social world, nothing disputes with him.
LaFargue	Because of his not contending no one in the world can contend with him.
Legge	Because he does not strive, no one finds it possible to strive with him.
Lindauer	It happens they lack contention So in the world noone is able to be contending with them.
LinYutan	Because he does not contend, No one in the world can contend against him.
Mabry	Because he refuses to compete, The word cannot compete with him.
McDonald	He accomplishes his aims by overt non-striving. Because he doesn't compete in the open, no one can compete well with him.
Merel	He does not contend, and no one contends against him.
Mitchell	Because she competes with no one, no one can compete with her.
Muller	Since he does not contend No one can contend with him.
Red Pine	because he doesn't struggle no one can struggle against him
Ta-Kao	Because he does not compete; therefore no one competes with him.
Walker	Because she contends with no one, no one can contend with her.
Wieger	For, not being opposed to anyone, no one would be opposed to him.
World	She is not confused. Therefore, she does not contend with others and they do not contend with her.
Wu	Just because he strives with nobody, Nobody can ever strive with him.