Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu (Chapters 38 – 81)

Virtue Classic

Chapter 38

High virtue is not virtuous

Therefore it has virtue

Low virtue never loses virtue

Therefore it has no virtue

High virtue takes no contrived action

And acts without agenda

Low virtue takes contrived action

And acts with agenda

High benevolence takes contrived action

And acts without agenda

High righteousness takes contrived action

And acts with agenda

High etiquette takes contrived action

And upon encountering no response

Uses arms to pull others


Therefore, the Tao is lost, and then virtue

Virtue is lost, and then benevolence

Benevolence is lost, and then righteousness

Righteousness is lost, and then etiquette

Those who have etiquette

are a thin shell of loyalty and sincerity

And the beginning of chaos

Those with foreknowledge

Are the flowers of the Tao

And the beginning of ignorance

Therefore the great person:

Abides in substance, and does not dwell on the thin shell

Abides in the real, and does not dwell on the flower

Thus they discard that and take this


Chapter 39

Those that attained oneness since ancient times:

The sky attained oneness and thus clarity

The earth attained oneness and thus tranquility

The gods attained oneness and thus divinity

The valley attained oneness and thus abundance

The myriad things attained oneness and thus life

The rulers attained oneness and became the standard for the world

These all emerged from oneness


The sky, lacking clarity, would break apart

The earth, lacking tranquility, would erupt

The gods, lacking divinity, would vanish

The valley, lacking abundance, would wither

Myriad things, lacking life, would be extinct

The rulers, lacking standard, would be toppled


Therefore, the honored uses the lowly as basis

The higher uses the lower as foundation

Thus the rulers call themselves alone, bereft, and unworthy

Is this not using the lowly as basis? Is it not so?

Therefore, the ultimate honor is no honor


Do not wish to be shiny like jade

Be dull like rocks


Chapter 40

The returning is the movement of the Tao

The weak is the utilization of the Tao


The myriad things of the world are born of being

Being is born of non-being


Chapter 41

Higher people hear of the Tao

They diligently practice it

Average people hear of the Tao

They sometimes keep it and sometimes lose it

Lower people hear of the Tao

They laugh loudly at it

If they do not laugh, it would not be the Tao


Therefore a proverb has the following:

The clear Tao appears unclear

The advancing Tao appears to retreat

The smooth Tao appears uneven

High virtue appears like a valley

Great integrity appears like disgrace

Encompassing virtue appears insufficient

Building virtue appears inactive

True substance appears inconstant

The great square has no corners

The great vessel is late in completion

The great music is imperceptible in sound

The great image has no form

The Tao is hidden and nameless

Yet it is only the Tao

That excels in giving and completing everything


Chapter 42

Tao produces one

One produces two

Two produce three

Three produce myriad things

Myriad things, backed by yin and embracing yang

Achieve harmony by integrating their energy

What the people dislike

Are alone, bereft, and unworthy

But the rulers call themselves with these terms


So with all things

Appear to take loss but benefit

Or receive benefit but lose

What the ancients taught

I will also teach

The violent one cannot have a natural death

I will use this as the principal of all teachings


Chapter 43

The softest things of the world

Override the hardest things of the world


That which has no substance

Enters into that which has no openings


From this I know the benefits of unattached actions

The teaching without words


The benefits of actions without attachment

Are rarely matched in the world


Chapter 44

Fame or the self, which is dearer?

The self or wealth, which is greater?

Gain or loss, which is more painful?


Thus excessive love must lead to great spending

Excessive hoarding must lead to heavy loss


Knowing contentment avoids disgrace

Knowing when to stop avoids danger

Thus one can endure indefinitely


Chapter 45

Great perfection seems flawed

Its function is without failure

Great fullness seems empty

Its function is without exhaustion

Great straightness seems bent


Great skill seems unrefined

Great eloquence seems inarticulate

Movement overcomes cold

Stillness overcomes heat

Clear quietness is the standard of the world


Chapter 46

When the world has the Tao

Fast horses are retired to till the soil

When the world lacks the Tao

Warhorses give birth on the battlefield


There is no crime greater than greed

No disaster greater than discontentment

No fault greater than avarice

Thus the satisfaction of contentment

is the lasting satisfaction


Chapter 47

Without going out the door, know the world

Without peering out the window, see the Heavenly Tao

The further one goes

The less one knows


Therefore the sage

Knows without going

Names without seeing

Achieves without striving


Chapter 48

Pursue knowledge, daily gain

Pursue Tao, daily loss


Loss and more loss

Until one reaches unattached action

With unattached action, there is nothing one cannot do


Take the world by constantly applying non-interference

The one who interferes is not qualified to take the world


Chapter 49

The sages have no constant mind

They take the mind of the people as their mind

Those who are good, I am good to them

Those who are not good, I am also good to them

Thus the virtue of goodness

Those who believe, I believe them

Those who do not believe, I also believe them

Thus the virtue of belief


The sages live in the world

They cautiously merge their mind for the world

The people all pay attention with their ears and eyes

The sages care for them as children


Chapter 50

Coming into life, entering death

The followers of life, three in ten

The followers of death, three in ten

Those whose lives are moved toward death

Also three in ten

Why? Because they live lives of excess


I’ve heard of those who are good at cultivating life

Traveling on the road, they do not encounter rhinos or tigers

Entering into an army, they are not harmed by weapons

Rhinos have nowhere to thrust their horns

Tigers have nowhere to clasp their claws

Soldiers have nowhere to lodge their blades

Why? Because they have no place for death


Chapter 51

Tao produces them

Virtue raises them

Things shape them

Forces perfect them


Therefore all things respect the Tao and value virtue

The respect for Tao, the value of virtue

Not due to command but to constant nature


Thus Tao produces them

Virtue raises them

Grows them, educates them

Perfects them, matures them

Nurtures them, protects them


Produces but does not possess

Acts but does not flaunt

Nurtures but does not dominate

This is called Mystic Virtue


Chapter 52

The world has a beginning

We regard it as the mother of the world

Having its mother

We can know her children

Knowing her children

Still holding on to the mother

Live without danger all through life


Close the mouth

Shut the doors

Live without toil all through life

Open the mouth

Meddle in the affairs

Live without salvation all through life


Seeing details is called clarity

Holding on to the soft is called strength

Utilize the light

Return to the clarity

Leaving no disasters for the self

This is called practicing constancy


Chapter 53

If I have a little knowledge

Walking on the great Tao

I fear only to deviate from it

The great Tao is broad and plain

But people like the side paths


The courts are corrupt

The fields are barren

The warehouses are empty


Officials wear fineries

Carry sharp swords

Fill up on drinks and food

Acquire excessive wealth


This is called robbery

It is not the Tao!


Chapter 54

That which is well established cannot be uprooted

That which is strongly held cannot be taken

The descendants will commemorate it forever


Cultivate it in yourself; its virtue shall be true

Cultivate it in the family; its virtue shall be abundant

Cultivate it in the community; its virtue shall be lasting

Cultivate it in the country; its virtue shall be prosperous

Cultivate it in the world; its virtue shall be widespread


Therefore observe others with yourself

Observe other families with your family

Observe other communities with your community

Observe other countries with your country

Observe the world with the world

With what do I know the world?

With this


Chapter 55

Those who hold an abundance of virtue

Are similar to newborn infants

Poisonous insects do not sting them

Wild beasts do not claw them

Birds of prey do not attack them

Their bones are weak, tendons are soft

But their grasp is firm

They do not know of sexual union but can manifest arousal

Due to the optimum of essence

They can cry the whole day and yet not be hoarse

Due to the optimum of harmony

Knowing harmony is said to be constancy

Knowing constancy is said to be clarity


Excessive vitality is said to be inauspicious

Mind overusing energy is said to be aggressive

Things become strong and then grow old

This is called contrary to the Tao

That which is contrary to the Tao will soon perish


Chapter 56

Those who know do not talk

Those who talk do not know


Close the mouth

Shut the doors

Blunt the sharpness

Unravel the knots

Dim the glare

Mix the dust

This is called Mystic Oneness


They cannot obtain this and be closer

They cannot obtain this and be distant

They cannot obtain this and be benefited

They cannot obtain this and be harmed

They cannot obtain this and be valued

They cannot obtain this and be degraded

Therefore, they become honored by the world


Chapter 57

Govern a country with upright integrity

Deploy the military with surprise tactics

Take the world with non-interference

How do I know this is so?

With the following:


When there are many restrictions in the world

The people become more impoverished

When people have many sharp weapons

The country becomes more chaotic

When people have many clever tricks

More strange things occur

The more laws are posted

The more robbers and thieves there are


Therefore the sage says:

I take unattached action, and the people transform themselves

I prefer quiet, and the people right themselves

I do not interfere, and the people enrich themselves

I have no desires, and the people simplify themselves


Chapter 58

When governing is lackluster

The people are simple and honest

When governing is scrutinizing

The people are shrewd and crafty


Misfortune is what fortune depends upon

Fortune is where misfortune hides beneath

Who knows their ultimate end?

They have no determined outcome

Rightness reverts to become strange

Goodness reverts to become wicked

The confusion of people

has lasted many long days


Therefore the sages are:

Righteous without being scathing

Incorruptible without being piercing

Straightforward without being ruthless

Illuminated without being flashy


Chapter 59

In governing people and serving Heaven

There is nothing like conservation

Only with conservation is it called submitting early

Submitting early is called emphasis on accumulating virtues

Accumulating virtues means there is nothing one cannot overcome

When there is nothing that one cannot overcome

One’s limits are unknown

The limitations being unknown, one can possess sovereignty

With this mother principle of power, one can be everlasting

This is called deep roots and firm foundation

The Tao of longevity and lasting vision


Chapter 60

Ruling a large country is like cooking a small fish

Using the Tao to manage the world

Its demons have no power

Not only do its demons have no power

Its gods do not harm people


Not only do its gods not harm people

The sages also do not harm people

They both do no harm to one another

So virtue merges and returns


Chapter 61

The large country is like the lowest river

The converging point of the world

The receptive female of the world

The female always overcomes the male with serenity

Using serenity as the lower position


Thus if the large country is lower than the small country

Then it can take the small country

If the small country is lower than the large country

Then it can be taken by the large country

Thus one uses the lower position to take

The other uses the lower position to be taken

The large country only wishes to gather and protect people

The small country only wishes to join and serve people

So that both obtain what they wish

The larger one should assume the lower position


Chapter 62

The Tao is the wonder of all things

The treasure of the kind person

The protection of the unkind person


Admirable words can win the public’s respect

Admirable actions can improve people

Those who are unkind

How can they be abandoned?


Therefore, when crowning the Emperor

And installing the three ministers

Although there is the offering of jade before four horses

None of it can compare to being seated in this Tao


Why did the ancients value this Tao so much?

Is it not said that those who seek will find,

And those with guilt will not be faulted?

Therefore, it is the greatest value in the world


Chapter 63

Act without action

Manage without meddling

Taste without tasting

Great, small, many, few

Respond to hatred with virtue


Plan difficult tasks through the simplest tasks

Achieve large tasks through the smallest tasks

The difficult tasks of the world

Must be handled through the simple tasks

The large tasks of the world

Must be handled through the small tasks

Therefore, sages never attempt great deeds all through life

Thus they can achieve greatness


One who makes promises lightly must deserve little trust

One who sees many easy tasks must encounter much difficulty

Therefore, sages regard things as difficult

So they never encounter difficulties all through life


Chapter 64

When it is peaceful, it is easy to maintain

When it shows no signs, it is easy to plan

When it is fragile, it is easy to break

When it is small, it is easy to scatter

Act on it when it has not yet begun

Treat it when it is not yet chaotic

A tree thick enough to embrace

Grows from the tiny sapling

A tower of nine levels

Starts from the dirt heap

A journey of a thousand miles

Begins beneath the feet


The one who meddles will fail

The one who grasps will lose

Therefore, sages do not meddle and thus do not fail

They do not grasp and thus do not lose


People, in handling affairs

Often come close to completion and fail

If they are as careful in the end as the beginning

Then they would have no failure


Therefore, sages desire not to desire

They do not value goods that are hard to acquire

They learn to unlearn

To redeem the fault of the people

To assist the nature of all things

Without daring to meddle


Chapter 65

Those of ancient times who were adept at the Tao

Used it not to make people brighter

But to keep them simple

The difficulty in governing people

Is due their excessive cleverness

Therefore, using cleverness to govern the state

Is being a thief of the state

Not using cleverness to govern the state

Is being a blessing of the state


Know that these two are both standards

Always knowing these standards

Is called Mystic Virtue

Mystic Virtue: Profound! Far-reaching!

It goes opposite to material things

Then it reaches great congruence


Chapter 66

Rivers and oceans can be the kings of a hundred valleys

Because of their goodness in staying low

So they can be the kings of a hundred valleys

Thus if sages wish to be over people

They must speak humbly to them

If they wish to be in front of people

They must place themselves behind them

Thus the sages are positioned above

But the people do not feel burdened

They are positioned in front

But the people do not feel harmed

Thus the world is glad to push them forward without resentment

Because they do not contend

So the world cannot contend with them


Chapter 67

Everyone in the world calls my Tao great

As if it is beyond compare

It is only because of its greatness

That it seems beyond compare

If it can be compared

It would already be insignificant long ago!


I have three treasures

I hold on to them and protect them

The first is called compassion

The second is called conservation

The third is called not daring to be ahead in the world

Compassionate, thus able to have courage

Conserving, thus able to reach widely

Not daring to be ahead in the world

Thus able to assume leadership

Now if one has courage but discards compassion

Reaches widely but discards conservation

Goes ahead but discards being behind

Then death!

If one fights with compassion, then victory

With defense, then security

Heaven shall save them

And with compassion guard them


Chapter 68

The great generals are not warlike

The great warriors do not get angry

Those who are good at defeating enemies do not engage them

Those who are good at managing people lower themselves

It is called the virtue of non-contention

It is called the power of managing people

It is called being harmonious with Heaven

The ultimate principle of the ancients


Chapter 69

In using the military, there is a saying:

I dare not be the host, but prefer to be the guest

I dare not advance an inch, but prefer to withdraw a foot


This is called marching in formation without formation

Raising arms without arms

Grappling enemies without enemies

Holding weapons without weapons

There is no greater disaster than to underestimate the enemy

Underestimating the enemy almost made me lose my treasures


So when evenly matched armies meet

The side that is compassionate shall win


Chapter 70

My words are easy to understand, easy to practice

The world cannot understand, cannot practice

My words have basis

My actions have principle

People do not understand this

Therefore they do not understand me

Those who understand me are few

Thus I am highly valued

Therefore the sage wears plain clothes but holds jade


Chapter 71

To know that you do not know is highest

To not know but think you know is flawed


Only when one recognizes the fault as a fault

can one be without fault


The sages are without fault

Because they recognize the fault as a fault

That is why they are without fault


Chapter 72

When people no longer fear force

They bring about greater force


Do not limit their place

Do not reject their livelihood

Because the ruler does not reject them

Therefore they do not reject the ruler


Therefore the sages:

Know themselves but do not glorify themselves

Respect themselves but do not praise themselves

Thus they discard that and take this


Chapter 73

The bold in daring will be killed

The bold in not daring will survive


Of these two, one may benefit, the other may harm

The one hated by Heaven – who knows the reason?

Even the sages still find this difficult


The Tao of Heaven:

Does not contend and yet excels in winning

Does not speak and yet excels in responding

Is not summoned and yet comes on its own

Is unhurried and yet excels in planning

The heavenly net is vast

Loose, and yet does not let anything slip through


Chapter 74

People do not fear death

How can they be threatened with death?

If people are made to constantly fear death

Then those who act unlawfully

I can capture and kill them

Who would dare?

There exists a master executioner that kills

If we substitute for the master executioner to kill

It is like substituting for the great carpenter to cut

Those who substitute for the great carpenter to cut

It is rare that they do not hurt their own hands


Chapter 75

The people’s hunger

Is due to the excess of their ruler’s taxation

So they starve

The people’s difficulty in being governed

Is due to the meddling of their ruler

So they are difficult to govern

The people’s disregard for death

Is due to the glut in their ruler’s pursuit of life

So they disregard death

Therefore those who do not strive for living

Are better than those who value living


Chapter 76

While alive, the body is soft and pliant

When dead, it is hard and rigid

All living things, grass and trees,

While alive, are soft and supple

When dead, become dry and brittle

Thus that which is hard and stiff

is the follower of death

That which is soft and yielding

is the follower of life

Therefore, an inflexible army will not win

A strong tree will be cut down

The big and forceful occupy a lowly position

While the soft and pliant occupy a higher place


Chapter 77

The Tao of Heaven

Is like drawing a bow

Lower that which is high

Raise that which is low

Reduce that which has excess

Add to that which is lacking


The Tao of heaven

Reduces the excessive

And adds to the lacking


The Tao of people is not so

It reduces the lacking

In order to offer to the excessive


Who can offer their excess to the world?

Only those who have the Tao

Therefore sages act without conceit

Achieve without claiming credit

They do not wish to display their virtue!


Chapter 78

Nothing in the world is softer or weaker than water

Yet nothing is better at overcoming the hard and strong

This is because nothing can replace it


That the weak overcomes the strong

And the soft overcomes the hard

Everybody in the world knows

But cannot put into practice


Therefore sages say:

The one who accepts the humiliation of the state

Is called its master

The one who accepts the misfortune of the state

Becomes king of the world

The truth seems like the opposite


Chapter 79

After settling a great dispute

There must be remaining resentments

How can this be considered good?

Therefore the sage holds the left part of the contract

But does not demand payment from the other person

Those who have virtue hold the contract

Those without virtue hold the collections


The Heavenly Tao has no favorites

It constantly gives to the kind people


Chapter 80

Small country, few people

Let them have many weapons but not use them

Let the people regard death seriously

And not migrate far away


Although they have boats and chariots

They have no need to take them

Although they have armors and weapons

They have no need to display them


Let the people return to tying knots and using them

Savor their food, admire their clothes

Content in their homes, happy in their customs


Neighboring countries see one another

Hear the sounds of roosters and dogs from one another

The people, until they grow old and die

Do not go back and forth with one another


Chapter 81

True words are not beautiful

Beautiful words are not true

Those who are good do not debate

Those who debate are not good

Those who know are not broad of knowledge

Those who are broad of knowledge do not know


Sages do not accumulate

The more they assist others, the more they possess

The more they give to others, the more they gain


The Tao of heaven

Benefits and does not harm

The Tao of sages

Assists and does not contend

Credit: Lao Tzu