Tao Te Ching Book of The Way by Lao Tzu with Songs of the Tao Te Ching
with Songs of the Tao Te Ching
Tao Te Ching Book of The Way
Public domain translation by John McDonald
by Lao Tzu
Public domain songs by Vito Di Bona
Musical transcription by Jeremy Kurn Vi T o Di Bona 2022
C
‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ ™ ‰ Œ Œ ‰ Œ ™ Œ ™ œ j ˙ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j ˙
Yet mystery and reality emerge from the same source. This source is called darkness.
D ‹7 F /G C /G D ‹7
F /G
™ ™
4 4 2 4 2 4 4 4 & ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 1
Ó Œ ™ ‰ Ó Œ ™ ‰ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙
The tao that can be described is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be spoken is not the eternal Name.
## n n &
Darkness born from darkness. The beginning of all understanding.
∑
C
∑
##
1
D ‹7 F
q = 1 2 0
D a rk D ‹7 ne s s bo rn f ro m d a rk F /G ne s s C T he be g i n D ‹7 ni ng o f a l l F /G un d e r s ta n C d i ng 4 9 & & & ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ & & & ∑ ∑
##
##
T he Ta o tha t c a n be d e s c ri be d i s no t D ‹7 the e te r na l F /G Ta o . C D ‹7 T he na me tha t F /G c a n be s po C ke n o f i s 7 no t D ‹7 the e te r na l F /G na me C D ‹7 T he na me l e s s i s F /G the be g i n C ni ng o f H e a D ‹7 ve n a nd E a rth F /G11 C D ‹7
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ub c d o ma n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
F re e d f ro m d e s i re , C2 2 G B ‹7 yo u c a n s e e the hi d d e n mys C te ry. G B ‹7 B y ha vi ng 2 8 d e s i re C G B ‹7 yo u c a n o n l y s e e wha t i s vi s i bl y re a l 3 4 C G D ‹7 M y s te ry F /G a nd re C a l i ty e me rg e D ‹7 f ro m the s a me F /G s o urc e 3 9 C D ‹7 T hi s F /G s o urc e i s C c a l l e d d a rk D ‹7 ne s s . F /G C4 4
Freed from desire, you can see the hidden mystery. By having desire, you can only see what is visibly real.
T he na me d F /G i s the mo the r C o f c re D ‹7 a F /G ti o n C C C /C © C /D1 6 C /D © E B ‹7
&
Ó Ó œ j œ œ j ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œnœ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó œ j œ œ j ˙ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ j œ œ j ˙ Ó Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œnœ œ ˙ ˙ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó œ j œ œ j œ œ ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó
The nameless is the boundary of Heaven and Earth. The named is the mother of creation.
W he n pe o pl e s e e thi ng s a s A ‹ be a u ti f ul u g l i ne s s i s c re a te d G W he n pe o pl e s e e thi ng s a s A ‹ g o o d , e C vi l i s c re a te d G6 B e i ng a nd no n be i ng pro A ‹ d uc e e a c h o the r D i f C f i c ul t a nd e a s y c o m G pl e me nt e a c h o the r 11 L o ng a nd s ho rt d e f i ne A ‹ e a c h o the r. H i g h C a nd l o w o p po s e G e a c h o the r. F o re a nd a f t f o l 1 5 A ‹ l o w e a c h o the r C G T he re C f o re the M a s te r c a n a c t wi th 2 0 o ut d o i ng a ny thi ng G C a nd te a c h wi th o ut s a yi ng a wo rd G2 5
Things come her way and she does not stop them; things leave and she lets them go. She has without possessing, and acts without any expectations. When her work is done, she take no credit. That is why it will last forever.
‰ œ j œ œ œ j œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ j œ œ J œ J œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ ™ œ j œ j œ ™ œ J œ œ j œ ™ œ j œ J œ œ j œ j œ ™ Œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ ™ ˙ Ó œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó ™ œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ j œ œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œ j œ ™ œ J œ ™ œ j œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j Œ j ‰
Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
G G
When people see things as beautiful, ugliness is created. When people see things as good, evil is created.
™ ™
#
& #
C
4 &4 #
œ ™ Ó Œ ™
T hi ng s G c o me he r wa y a nd s he A ‹ d o e s no t s to p the m thi ng s C l e a ve a nd s he l e ts the m g o G S he 3 1 ha s wi th o ut po s s e s A ‹ s i ng , a nd a c ts C wi th o ut a ny e x pe c ta G ti o ns . W he n 3 5 he r C wo rk i s d o ne s he ta ke no c re G d i t T ha t i s why C i t wi l l l a s t f o r e G ve r. C A ‹ G r i t . 3 9 ∑ ∑ & # & # & ∑ & 3 3 & 3
Ta o S o n g 2 & #
P ubl c d o ma n s o ng by V to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e y
2
Ó
q = 1 3 0
Being and non-being produce each other. Difficult and easy complement each other. Long and short define each other. High and low oppose each other. Fore and aft follow each other.
# & #
#
Therefore the Master can act without doing anything and teach without saying a word.
& # Ta o S o n g 3 & #
i n d i vi E ‹ d u a l s , pe o pl e wi l l be c o me A ‹ o ve r l y c o m pe B 7 ti ti ve I f yo u 6
o ve r va l ue po s s e s A ‹ s i o ns , pe o pl e wi l l be g i n to E ‹ s te a l 1 0
For those who practice not-doing, everything will fall into place.
Do not display your treasures or people will become envious.
ti o n B 7 F o r tho s e who pra c ti c e no t d o A ‹ i ng e ve ry thi ng wi l l f a l l B 7 i n to pl a c e ES l o wl y2 3 4 4 & & e e l
we a A ‹ ke n i ng the i r a m bi ti o ns a nd ma ki ng the m c o me B 7 s tro ng E P re f e r ri ng s i m pl i c i A ‹ ty I n Te m p o1 7 f re e d o m f ro m d e s i E ‹ re s a vo i d i ng the pi t A ‹ f a l l s o f kno w l e d g e a nd wro ng a c 2 0
M a s E ‹ te r l e a d s by e mp tyi ng pe o pl e s mi nd s A ‹ f i l l i ng the i r be l E ‹ l i e s I n Te m p o 1 4
4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4
E ‹ A ‹ E ‹ A ‹ E ‹
q = 9 2
y U U3 & # & # U Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
D o no t d i s pl a y yo ur tre a A ‹ s ure s o r pe o pl e wi l l be c o me B 7 e n vi o us E T he r i t . 1 2
A ‹
If you overly esteem talented individuals, people will become overly competitive. If you overvalue possessions, people will begin to steal.
The Master leads by emptying people’s minds, filling their bellies, weakening their ambitions, and making them become strong. Preferring simplicity and freedom from desires, avoiding the pitfalls of knowledge and wrong action.
I f yo u o ve r e s te e m ta l e n te d
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
3
#
# U & # & # F r
6 8 & # ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 4
The Tao is like an empty container: it can never be emptied and can never be filled. Infinitely deep, it is the source of all things. It dulls the sharp, unties the knotted, shades the lighted, and unites all of creation with dust. It is hidden but always present. I don’t know who gave birth to it. It is older than the concept of God.
i t i s the s o urc e G o f a l l thi ng s I t d ul l s C the s ha rp, un G ti e s the kno t te d , 1 2 C s ha d e s the l i g h te d , a nd u ni te s G - a l l o f c re a D - ti o -n wi th C d us t G1 9
4
G
∑
I t G i s hi d d e -n but a l wa -ys D pre s e -nt D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) D ( „ ˆ ˆ 4 I d o n t D kno w who g a ve C bi rth to i t I t i s 2 6 o l G d e r tha n the c o n D c e pt o f C G o d G C G3 1 9 8 & # & # & # ∑ ∑ & # & #
i t G c a n ne ve r be e mp ti e d a nd c a n ne D ve r be f i l l e d . D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) D ( „ ˆ ˆ 4) D I n C f i ni te l y d e e p 7
D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) D ( „ ˆ ˆ 4 D q = 6 0
6 8 9 8 6 8 9 8
∑ ∑ ∑ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ Œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ ™ œ œ J œ ˙ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ j œ œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ≈ œ R œ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ ‰ Œ ™ Œ ™
D
Ta o i s l i ke a n e mp ty c o n ta i ne r:
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tr bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y H e a ve n a nd E a rth
4
Heaven and Earth are impartial; they treat all of creation as straw dogs. The Master doesn’t take sides; she treats everyone like a straw dog.
Ó
Ta o S o n g 5
H e a ve n a nd E a rth i s l i ke A ‹ a be l l o ws ; i t i s e mp C ty ye t ha s no t l o s t i ts po 2 1 we r G T he mo re F i t i s us e d , the mo re i t pro d u A ‹ c e s 2 6 G A ‹ C3 1 A ‹ the mo re yo u ta l k o f i t, C A ‹ the l e s s yo u c o m pre he nd . I t i s 3 6 be t G te r no t to s pe a k o f thi ng s yo u d o no t un d e r s ta nd C4 1 &4 ∑ & & & & & 3 & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & & ∑ ∑ ∑
5
A ‹ C A ‹ C
C q = 9 8
The space between Heaven and Earth is like a bellows; it is empty, yet has not lost its power. The more it is used, the more it produces; the more you talk of it, the less you comprehend. It is better not to speak of things you do not understand.
a re i m pa r ti a l ; the y tre a t G a l l o f c re a ti o n a s s tra w A ‹ d o g s 6 C A ‹ T he M a s te r d o e s n t C A ‹ ta ke s i d e s ; s he 11 tre a ts G e ve ry o ne l i ke a s tra w A ‹ d o g C T he s pa c e G be t we e n 1 6
Ó ‰ Œ ™ Ó ≈ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ ‰ Œ ™ Ó ‰ œ œ J œ œ ™ œ Œ ‰ œ j ˙ Œ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ Ó Ó ‰ Œ ≈ œ r œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Ó ™ ‰ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ J œ ™ Ó ‰ Œ ™ Ó ≈ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ‰ Œ ™ Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ R œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó
A ‹
Ó ‰ Œ ™ Ó ‰ Œ ™ œ œ ™ œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó ‰ Œ ™
Ó ‰ œ J œ œ J œ œ j œ ‰ œ j ˙ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ j œ ™ œ œ Ó
A ‹
œ J œ œ J œ J œ ™ œ ™ œ J Œ ™ spirit of emptiness is immortal. It is called the Great Mother because it gives birth to Heaven and Earth. It is like a vapor, barely seen but always present. Use it effortlessly.
4
™ Ó Ó
œ j œ J œ œ j œ œ œ J œ œ J œ J œ ™ œ œ Œ ‰ œ J œ J œ œ J ˙ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó œ J œ œ J œ J œ ™ ˙ ‰ œ J œ œ œ J œ ™ œ J œ ™ œ ™ œ J œ J œ ™ œ œ Œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ ˙ ™ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó The
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tr bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
6
S pi ri t o f e mp ti ne s s i s i m mo r ta l I t i s c a l l e d the
G re a t M o B 7 ( „ ˆ ˆ 4 the r E 5 be 8 c a us e i t g i ve s bi rth to H e a ve n a nd E a rth I t i s l i ke a 1 5 va B 7 „ ˆ ˆ 4) po r E ‹2 0 ba re E 5 l y s e e n but a l wa ys pre s e nt Us e i t 2 7 e f B 7 ( „ ˆ ˆ 4) f o rt l e s s l y E ‹3 2 3 6 &4 ∑ ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ & ∑ & ∑ ∑ ∑ & ∑ & 3 & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ U
E 5
Ta o S o n g 6
œ œ œ œ J œ J œ ™ œ œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ J œ ™ œ J œ ™ œ J œ œ J œ J œ ™ œ ™ œ J ‰ œ J œ œ œ J œ œ J ˙ Ó ‰ œ J œ œ œ J œ Œ ‰ œ j
q = 9 8
A ‹ E 7 A ‹ E 7 A ‹
& & ∑ ∑ U Œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ‰ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ#œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ ≈ œ œ œ œ J ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™
The Master puts herself last; And finds herself in the place of authority. She detaches herself from all things; Therefore she is united with all things. She gives no thought to self. She is perfectly fulfilled.
A ‹
T he M a s te r puts E 7 he r s e l f l a s t; A ‹ And f i nd s he r s e l f E 7 i n the 1 8 pl a c e A ‹ o f a u tho ri ty F S he d e ta c h e s he r s e l f f ro m a l l thi ng s ; C2 4 T hus s he i s u ni te d wi th F a l l thi ng s . C F S he g i ve s no tho ug ht to s e l f . C S he i s 2 8 pe r F f e c t l y f ul f i l l e d C A ‹ E 7 A ‹ E 7 A ‹3 2 8 8 & & & &
q = 5 2
& ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 7
P ub c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
T he Ta o o f H e a E 7 ve n i s e te r na l , a nd the
∑
7
6 8 3
6
∑ ∑
e a rth i s l o ng E 7 e n A ‹ d u ri ng W hy a re the y E 7 l o ng e n d u A ‹ ri ng ? T he y d o no t l i ve E 7 f o r the m 7 s e l ve s A ‹ thus F the y a re pre s e nt f o r a l l be i ng s C A ‹ E 71 2
A ‹ E 7 A ‹
The Tao of Heaven is eternal, and the earth is long enduring. Why are they long enduring? They do not live for themselves; thus they are present for all beings.
C
F q = 6 9
T he s u pre me g o o d i s l i ke wa te r, F whi c h be ne f i ts a l l o f C c re a ti o n F C wi th o ut try i ng to c o m pe te G 7 wi th i t I t g a the rs i n un po pu l a r 5 pl a C c e s G T hus F i t i s l i ke the Ta o C T he l o F c a ti o n ma ke s the d we l l i ng g o o d 8 C D e pth F o f un d e r s ta n d i ng ma ke s the mi nd C g o o d 1 2 A ‹ A ki nd he a rt ma ke s the g i vi ng g o o d . G A ‹ I n te g ri ty ma ke s the g o ve rn me nt 1 5 g o o d . G Ac c o m F pl i s h me nt ma ke s yo ur l a C bo rs g o o d . 1 8 P ro F pe r ti mi ng ma ke s a d e c i s i o n C g o o d O n l y whe n the re i s 2 1 G no c o m pe ti ti o n F wi l l we a l l l i ve C i n pe a c e F C2 3 &4 & & & & 3 & & & ∑ ∑
Accomplishment makes your labors good. Proper timing makes a decision good.
4
Integrity makes the government good.
The supreme good is like water, which benefits all of creation without trying to compete with it. It gathers in unpopular places. Thus it is like the Tao.
≈
C F C
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
8
Only when there is no competition will we all live in peace.
Ta o S o n g 8
Ó Ó Ó ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó ‰ œ œ j œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ Œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ j ‰ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó
The location makes the dwelling good. Depth of understanding makes the mind good. A kind heart makes the giving good.
E 5
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a t o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
4
9
f i l l e d to the bri m C „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) T he s ha r pe r the kni f e G the e a s i e r i t 6 i s D to d ul l C ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 E 5 T he 1 0
T hi s i s the pa th wa y to H e a E 5 ve n 2 8 &4 # ∑ ∑ ∑ & # & # ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & # & # & # & # ∑ ∑ ∑ Ó Œ ‰ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ ˙
q = 9 2
U
I t i s e a s i e r to c a r ry a n e mp ty c up tha n o ne tha t i s
It is easier to carry an empty cup than one that is filled to the brim. The sharper the knife the easier it is to dull. The more wealth you possess the harder it is to protect. Pride brings its own trouble. When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.
‰ ™ œ R œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ J w œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ Ó
Ta o S o n g 9
G tro u bl e . D C W he n yo u ha ve a c c o m 2 1 pl i s he d G yo ur g o a l D s i m pl y wa l k a wa y C „ ˆ ˆ 2 )2 5
mo re we a l th yo u po s s e s s the ha r d e r i t i s C ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) to pro te c t. P ri d e bri ng s i ts o wn 1 7
F C a n F /E yo u l o ve pe o D ‹7 pl e C a nd l e a d the m C /B wi th o ut A ‹ f o r G c i ng yo ur wi l l 2 7
C W hi l e F yo u F /E c l e a ns e yo ur D ‹7 i n ne r vi s i o n G1 7
Nur ture the d a rk C /B ne s s o f yo ur A ‹ s o ul = 1 2 6
F wi l l F /E yo u be f o und D ‹7 wi th o ut C C /B f a ul t? G2 2
F o n the m? C W he n H e a C ve n g i ve s C /B a nd ta ke s a wa y A ‹3 2 ∑ ∑ 3 & ∑ & & ∑ & ∑ 3 & 3 & ∑ 3
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na . P ub i c d o ma i n tra ns l a t o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y.
C
œ œ ˙ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ ˙ Ó
10
œ j œ ™ Ó œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j ˙ ‰ œ j œ
Giving birth and nourishing, making without possessing, expecting nothing in return. To grow, yet not to control: This is the mysterious virtue.
C /B C a n yo u f o A ‹ c us yo ur l i f e bre a th un ti l yo u G be c o me s up pl e F a s a ne w bo rn c hi l d ? 1 2
q
4 &4
Ta o S o n g 1 0
œ ˙ œ œ œ ˙ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j
Nurture the darkness of your soul until you become whole. Can you do this and not fail? Can you focus your life-breath until you become supple as a newborn child? While you cleanse your inner vision will you be found without fault? Can you love people and lead them without forcing your will on them? When Heaven gives and takes away can you be content with the outcome? When you understand all things can you step back from your own understanding?
un G ti l yo u F be c o me who l e C C a n yo u d o thi s a nd no t f a i l ? 7
œ ˙ ™ Œ Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j ˙ Œ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ ˙ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j ˙ Ó
c a n G yo u be c o n te nt F wi th the o ut C c o me ? G3 8
To F F /E g ro w D ‹7 ye t no t C to C /B c o n tro l : A ‹6 3 T hi s G i s the my s te ri F o us vi r tue . C6 7 & ∑ 3 & ∑ & ∑ & ∑ & & & ∑
2
W he n C yo u un d e r s ta nd C /B a l l thi ng s A ‹ c a n G yo u s te p ba c k 4 3 F f ro m yo ur o wn un d e r s ta n C d i ng ? G i F vi ng F /E bi rth D ‹7 a nd no u ri 4 8 s hi ng G ma F F /E ki ng D ‹7 wi th o ut C C /B po s s e s 5 3 s i ng , G e x F pe c ti ng F /E no th i ng D ‹7 C i n C /B re turn A ‹5 8
œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j ˙ ‰ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j ˙ Œ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ j œ œ œ ˙
Ó œ ™ œ j œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ ™ œ j œ œ œ J œ ™ œ j œ œ j œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ ˙ Ó
F but i t s D ‹7 the c e n te r ho l e tha t a l l o ws G the whe e l C to f unc F ti o n. F „ ˆ ˆ 2 )8
D ‹7 tha t ma ke s the ve s G s e l us e C f ul . F F ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) We D ‹7 f a s hi o n wo o d f o r a ho us e , 2 0
Ta o S o n g 1 1
4 &4
11
Ó ™
T hi r D ‹7 ty s po ke s a re jo i ne d G to g e the r C i n a whe e l ,
D ‹7 G C F
˙ Ó Œ
Ó
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
F F ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) We D ‹7 mo l d c l a y i n to a po t, G but i t i s the e mp C ti ne s s i n s i d e F1 4
Thirty spokes are joined together in a wheel, but it is the center hole that allows the wheel to function. We mold clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that makes the vessel useful. We fashion wood for a house, but it is the emptiness inside that makes it livable. We work with the substantial, but the emptiness is what we use.
G but i t i s the e mp C ti ne s s i n s i d e F F ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) D ‹7 tha t ma ke s G i t l i C va bl e 2 5
œ
q = 1 7 4
F F ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) F F „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) We G wo rk wi th the s ub 3 1 s ta n ti a l , but the e mp ti ne s s i s wha t we us e C F C3 6 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & ∑ & ∑ & & & ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ ∑ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ œ j ˙ ™ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ Œ Ó ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ œ ˙ œ œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ Ó ™ Œ œ J œ œ J œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w
She shuns the latter, and prefers to seek the former.
F i ve D ‹ c o l o rs bl i nd G the e ye C D ‹ F i ve no te s d e a G f e n the e a r C F i ve D ‹ f l a vo rs ma ke the pa l a te G g o s ta l e C To o D ‹ muc h a c ti vi ty d e ra n G g e s the mi nd C To o D ‹ muc h we a l th c a u 6
q = 11 6
12
Five notes deafen the ear.
G s e e s C S he D ‹ s huns the l a t te r, a nd G pre f e rs C to D ‹ s e e k the f o r G me r C r i t . 1 8 &
Five flavors make the palate go stale.
G s e s c ri me C T he ma s D ‹ te r a c ts o n wha t G s he f e e l s C D ‹ a nd no t wha t s he 1 2
3 ∑ & & ˙ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ j œ œ j
œ j œ j j j œ
Too much activity deranges the mind.
œ
œ œ
Too much wealth causes crime.
The Master acts on what she feels and not what she sees.
Five colors blind the eye.
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tr bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
Ó
œ œ
œ j œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙
œ œ ˙
œ ™
4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 2 4 4 4 & Ta o S o n g 1 2
œ
œ j j ˙ Ó Œ ‰ j œ j œ œ Œ œ œ œ j œ œ œ
™ Ó œ
What does it mean that success is as dangerous as failure? He who is superior is also someone’s subordinate.
# & # ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ≈ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ Œ
H e D who i s s u pe ri o r i s a l A ‹7 s o D s o me o ne s s u bo r A ‹7 d i na te 1 2 R e C c e i v i ng f a vo r a nd l o F s i ng i t C bo th c a us e G a l a rm. G G /F ©1 9
Receiving favor and losing it both cause alarm. That is what is meant by success is as dangerous as failure. What does it mean that we are often our own worst enemy?
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
If I no longer had a ‘self,’ I would no longer have an enemy.
The reason I have an enemy is because I have a ‘self.’
13
Success is as dangerous as failure, and we are often our own worst enemy.
E ‹
# ∑ ∑
#
T ha t E ‹ i s wha t i s me a nt by s uc D c e s s i s a s d a n E ‹ g e ro us a s f a i l ure D W ha t d o e s i t me a n 2 6 tha t E ‹ we a re o f D te n o ur o wn wo rs t E ‹ e ne my? T he re D a s o n I ha ve a n e ne 3 1 my A ‹7 i s be c a us e D I ha ve a " s e l f " . A ‹7 I f I no l o n D g e r ha d a " s e l f " A ‹7 I wo ul d no 3 8 l o n D g e r ha ve a n e ne my A ‹7 L o ve E ‹ the who l e wo rl d a s i f G i t we re yo ur s e l f the n 4 3 yo u C wi l l tru l y c a re f o r a l l G thi ng s G /F © E ‹4 8 & & & & &
# ∑ ∑ & #
2 &4 # ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 1 3 & #
S uc c e s s i s a s d a n g e ro us a s D f a i l ure a nd we E ‹ a re o f te n o ur o wn wo rs t q = 9 4 D e ne my W ha t d o e s i t me a n E ‹ tha t s uc c e s s i s a s d a n D g e ro us a s f a i l ure ? E ‹7
# ∑ ∑ ∑
Love the whole world as if it were your self; then you will truly care for all things.
Look for it, and it can’t be seen. Listen for it, and it can’t be heard. Grasp for it, and it can’t be caught. These three cannot be further described, so we treat them as The One. Its highest is not bright. Its depths are not dark. Unending, unnameable, it returns to nothingness. Formless forms, and imageless images, subtle, beyond all understanding.
‹ e = 1 3 2
14
E L o o k E f o r A i t, E G a nd i t c a n t F © ‹ be s e e n D L i s B ‹ te n f o r C © ‹ i t, F © G a nd i t c a n t F © ‹ be he a rd . D G ra s p E f o r A i t, E G a nd i t c a n t F © ‹ be c a ug ht. D6 T he s e B ‹ thre e C © ‹ c a n no t F © ‹ - be f ur B ‹ the r C © ‹ - d e s c ri be d E - s o D we tre a t the m a s T he O ne 9 A I ts hi g h E e s t i s A no t bri g ht E G I ts d e pths a re F © ‹ no t d a rk D Un B ‹ e n C © ‹ d i ng , un F © ‹ na me a bl e , 1 3 i t B ‹ re turns C © ‹ to no th E i ng ne s s F o rm E l e s s A f o rms E G a nd i ma g e F © ‹ l e s s i ma D g e s , 1 7 s ub B ‹ tl e C © ‹ - be yo nd F © ‹ - a l l B ‹ un C © ‹ d e -r s ta n E - d i -ng Ap pro a c h D - i t a nd yo u wi l l no t A s e e 2 0 D a be g i n A ni ng f o l D l o w i t a nd the re wi l l be A D no e nd A W he n 2 4 we D g ra s p the Ta o o f the a n A c i e nt o ne s , we c a n us e D i t to d i re c t o ur l i f e A to d a y. To 2 7 kno w D the a n c i e nt o ri g i n o f Ta o : A thi s i s D the be g i n ni ng o f wi s A d o m D A2 9
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na . P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
7 8 3 8 4 4 3 4 2 4 2 4 7 8 3 8 4 4 & ### ∑ U ∑ U Ta o S o n g 1 4 & ### & ### & ### & ### & ### & ### & ### & ### œ ™ œ œ œ#œ œ œ œ ≈ nœ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ™ œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ ≈ nœ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ≈ œ r œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ#œ œ œ œ ≈ nœ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ ™ œ #œ œ œ œ ≈ nœ nœ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ Œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ #œ R œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó Ó
Approach it and you will not see a beginning; follow it and there will be no end. When we grasp the Tao of the ancient ones, we can use it to direct our life today. To know the ancient origin of Tao: this is the beginning of wisdom.
œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ J œ œ J œ J ‰ œ œ
A ‹ E 7 A ‹ E 7 A ‹ E 7 A ‹ E 7 T he q = 8 6
Fluid as melting ice. Whole as an uncarved block of wood. Receptive as a valley.
I D c a n o n l y g i ve a po o r C d e s c ri p ti o n A ‹ E 7 A ‹ E 71 5
A l e rt a s i f E 7 s ur ro un A ‹ d e d o n a l l s i d e s E 7 by A ‹ the e ne my E 72 2 & & & & & & Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ œ ™ œ œ J ‰ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
r
15
They were careful as someone crossing a frozen stream in winter. Alert as if surrounded on all sides by the enemy. Courteous as a guest.
4 &4 Ta o S o n g 1 5
A ‹ T he y we re c a re f ul E 7 a s s o me A ‹ o ne c ro s s i ng a E 7 f ro z e n s tre a m A ‹ i n wi n E 7 te r 1 9
A ‹ me nt E 7 A ‹ T he i r wi s d o m wa s E 7 be yo nd A ‹ o ur c o m E 7 pre he n 8
Turbid as muddied water.
A ‹ E 7 A ‹
Ó
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Who can be still until their mud settles and the water is cleared by itself? Can you remain tranquil until right action occurs by itself?
S a A ‹ g e s o f o l d E 7 we re pro f o und A ‹ a nd kne w E 7 the wa ys A ‹ o f s ub tl e ty a nd E 7 d i s c e rn 5
The Master doesn’t seek fulfillment. For only those who are not full are able to be used which brings the feeling of completeness.
The Sages of old were profound and knew the ways of subtlety and discernment. Their wisdom is beyond our comprehension. Because their knowledge was so far superior I can only give a poor description.
œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó Ó Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™
A ‹ E 7 s i o n A ‹ E 7 B e c a us e D the i r kno w l e d g e wa s s o f a r s u pe C ri o r 11
A ‹ E 7 C o ur D te o us a s a g ue s t. F l u C i d a s me l ti ng i c e D W ho l e a s a n un c a rve d bl o c k 2 6
œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ ™ œ R œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
A ‹ W ho c a n be s ti l l E 7 un ti l A ‹ the i r mud s e t E 7 tl e s A ‹ a nd the wa te r i s c l e a re d E 7 by i t s e l f ? 3 7
Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ
A ‹ E 7 A ‹ E 7 A ‹ E 7 A ‹ E 73 3
Ó Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ J œ œ J œ ‰ œ J œ ™ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ œ
‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ ™
œ J œ ™ Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó
A ‹ E 7 A ‹ C a n yo u re ma i n E 7 tra n q ui l A ‹ un ti l E 7 ri g ht a c A ‹ ti o n o c c urs E 7 by i t s e l f ? 4 0
A ‹ E 7
A ‹ E 7 A ‹ E 7 A ‹ E 7 A ‹ E 7 A ‹5 1
œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ J œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
2
C o f wo o d R e c e p D ti ve a s a va l l e y Tur C bi d a s mud d i e d wa te r 3 0
œ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ J œ ™ œ œ œ œ
T he M a s D te r d o e s n t s e e k f ul f i l l C me nt F o r o n D l y tho s e who a re no t f ul l a re 4 4 a C bl e to be us e d whi c h D bri ng s the f e e l i ng o f C c o m pl e te ne s s 4 8
& 3 & & & & 3 & & & ∑
œ J œ ™ Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó
H e a G ve n s ma n d a te i s c a l l e d be D i ng c o n s ta nt K no C wi ng the c o n s ta nt i s c a l l e d 1 9 ™ œ
16
Wa tc h E ‹ the wo r ki ng s o f a l l o f c re a D ti o n but c o n C te m pl a te the i r re turn to the E ‹ s o urc e 7
Returning to Heaven’s mandate is called being constant. Knowing the constant is called ‘enlightenment’. Not knowing the constant is the source of evil deeds because we have no roots.
he a rt C wi l l e m bra c e the tra n q ui l i ty o f E ‹ pe a c e . 4
I f yo u c a n e mp ty yo ur mi nd o f a l l tho ug hts yo ur
All creatures in the universe return to the point where they began. Returning to the source is tranquility because we submit to Heaven’s mandate.
D
E ‹
Al l c re a ture s i n the u ni ve rs e D re turn C to the po i nt whe re the y be 1 0
œ r œ
4 4 3 4 3 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 3 4 4 4 & # ∑ Ta o S o n g 1 6 & # ∑ 3 & # & # & # & # & # Ó Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰
By knowing the constant we can accept things as they are. By accepting things as they are, we become impartial. By being impartial, we become one with Heaven. By being one with Heaven, we become one with Tao. Being one with Tao, we are no longer concerned about losing our life because we know the Tao is constant and we are one with Tao.
E ‹ g a n R e tur E ‹ ni ng to the s o urc e i s tra n q ui D l i ty be 1 3 c a us e C we s ub mi t to H e a ve n' s ma n E ‹ d a te R e tur ni ng to 1 6
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
If you can empty your mind of all thoughts your heart will embrace the tranquility of peace. Watch the workings of all of creation, but contemplate their return to the source.
q = 8 4
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ≈ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ≈ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™
œ
& # & # & # & # & # & # & #
™ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó 2
Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ™
œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r
e n l i g h te n me nt No t kno G wi ng the c o n s ta nt i s the s o urc e D o f e vi l d e e d s be 2 2 c a us e C we ha ve no ro o ts µ B y kno wi ng the c o n s ta nt we c a n 2 5 a c c e pt thi ng s a s the y a re . E ‹ B y a c c e p ti ng thi ng s a s the y a re 2 8 we D be c o me i m pa r ti a l B y be C i ng i m pa r ti a l we be c o me o ne wi th H e a ve n B y 3 2 be G i ng o ne wi th H e a ve n we be D c o me o ne wi th Ta o B e C i ng o ne wi th Ta o , we a re no 3 5 l o n g e r c o n c e rne d a bo ut l o G s i ng o ur l i f e be c a us e 3 8 we D kno w the Ta o i s c o n s ta nt a nd we C a re o ne wi th G Ta o 4 0
q
pra i s e d Ne x t D ‹ c o me s the o ne who i s f e a re d T he wo rs t o ne i s the l e a d e r tha t i s d e s pi s e d 5
be s t F l e a d e rs va l ue the i r wo rd s , C a nd us e the m s pa G ri ng l y W he n 1 2
8
œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
The best leaders are those the people hardly know exist. The next best is a leader who is loved and praised. Next comes the one who is feared. The worst one is the leader that is despised.
The best leaders value their words, and use them sparingly. When she has accomplished her task, the people say, “Amazing: we did it, all by ourselves!”
s he F ha s a c c o m pl i s he d he r ta s k the pe o C pl e s a y, " A ma z i ng : G we 1 4 d i d F i t a l l by o ur s e l ve s ! " C C /G C C /G C1 6 &4 & & & & & ∑
17
If you don’t trust the people, they will become untrustworthy.
4
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ub i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
Ta o S o n g 1 7
T he be s t D ‹ l e a d e rs a re tho s e the pe o pl e ha rd l y kno w e x i s t T he ne x t G be s t i s a l e a d e r who i s l o ve d a nd = 8
˙ ™ Œ œ œ j œ œ
j ˙ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j ≈ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó Ó
I f yo u C d o n t trus t the pe o C /G pl e , the y wi l l G be c o me un trus t wo rt hy T he 9
œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ j œ
c o un C try f a l l s i n to c ha o s po G l i ti D c i a ns ta l k 1 5 C a bo ut pa tri o ti G s m C G1 9 &4 & # & # & ∑ ∑ ∑ œ œ œ œ
When there is strife in the family unit, people talk about ‘brotherly love’.
G
D
# & #
œ œ œ ™ œ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ J œ œ J Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ˙ œ ˙ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™
œ œ
D
When the great Tao is abandoned, charity and righteousness appear.
P ub i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
W he n the g re a t Ta o i s a ba n d o ne d c ha ri ty a nd ri g ht D e o us ne s s a p pe a r ( “ 4) W he n i n te l l e c C tua l i s m a ri s e s hy po G c ri s y i s c l o s e be hi nd D W he n 6 the re G i s s tri f e i n the f a mi l y u ni t, pe o pl e ta l k D a bo ut ' bro the r l y l o ve . D “ 4 D W he n the 11
When the country falls into chaos, politicians talk about ‘patriotism’.
When intellectualism arises, hypocrisy is close behind.
3
18
q = 1 2 6
4
# Ta o S o n g 1 8
œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ Œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ
19
q = 6 8
J œ œ
œ œ œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ
4 &4 # Ta o S o n g 1 9
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó œ œ ™ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ j œ bœ œ œ Œ Ó Ó Ó
F o r g e t a bo ut kno w l e d g e a nd wi s d o m, a nd pe o pl e wi l l be a hun d re d ti me s be t C te r o f f T hro w G a wa y D c ha ri ty a nd C ri g ht e o us ne s s a nd 5 pe o G pl e wi l l re turn D to bro the r l y C l o ve T hro w a wa y pro A ‹ f i t a nd g re e d , a nd the re 8 wo n t G be a ny thi e ve s . T he s e thre e a re s u A ‹ pe r f i c i a l a nd a re n t G e no ug h to 11 ke e p A ‹ us a t the c e n te r o f the c i r c l e s o we G mus t a l s o E m bra c e F s i m C pl i c i ty. 1 4 P ut F o the rs f i rs t. C F D e s i re l i t tl e . C G F C1 8 & # & # 3 & # & # &
D
G
These three are superficial and aren’t enough to keep us at the center of the circle, so we must also:
D
œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈
G
Embrace simplicity. Put others first. Desire little.
œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
‰
# ∑
œ œ œ
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
C
Forget about knowledge and wisdom, and people will be a hundred times better off. Throw away charity and righteousness, and people will return to brotherly love. Throw away profit and greed, and there won’t be any thieves.
œ œ œ ˙ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ œ œ
## 3 & ##
Ordinary people are bright; I alone am dark.
q = 1 2 0
œ
I am lost and drift about with no place to go. I am like a fool, my mind is in chaos.
##
œ j nœ œ j œ Œ
Other people have more than they need; I alone seem to possess nothing.
R e D no unc e kno w l e d g e a nd yo ur pro C bl e ms wi l l e nd D
& ## 3 & ##
M us t yo u f e a r wha t o the rs f e a r? No n A ‹ s e ns e l o o k ho w f a r yo u ha ve 9 mi s s e d D the ma rk! O D the r pe o pl e a re jo y o us , a s tho ug h C the y we re D1 5 D a t a s pri ng f e s ti C va l D I D a l o ne a m un c o n c e rne d a nd e x C pre s s i o n l e s s D l i ke a n 1 9 i n f a nt be f o re i t ha s l e a rne d to s mi l e 2 3 O A ‹ the r pe o pl e ha ve mo re tha n the y ne e d I a l o ne s e e m to po s s e s s D no th 2 7 i ng I a m l o s t A ‹ a nd d ri f t a bo ut wi th no pl a c e D to g o 3 0 4 & & ∑ ∑ & & ∑ ∑
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
W ha t D i s the d i f f e re nc e be t we e n C ye s a nd no ? D W ha t D i s the d i f f e re nc e be t we e n C g o o d a nd e D vi l ? 5
œ j nœ œ j œ j œ œ j nœj œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ j œ ™ ˙ ‰ œ j œ
4 4 2 4 4 4 2
I alone am unconcerned and expressionless, like an infant before it has learned to smile.
##
Ordinary people are clever; I alone am dull. Ordinary people seem discriminating; I alone am muddled and confused. I drift on the waves on the ocean, blown at the mercy of the wind. Other people have their goals, I alone am dull and uncouth. I am different from ordinary people. I nurse from the Great Mother’s breasts.
Must you fear what others fear?
##
‰ j
3
™
4 4 4 4 & ## Ta o S o n g 2 0
œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ nœj œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ™ œ j œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ
20
Other people are joyous, as though they were at a spring festival.
Ó ‰ Œ ™ Œ ™ ‰ ‰ Œ ™ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œnœ œ œ œ Œ
™ D D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) D “ 4) D D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 )
What is the difference between good and evil?
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
Renounce knowledge and your problems will end. What is the difference between yes and no?
Nonsense, look how far you have missed the mark!
I a m l i ke a A ‹ f o o l my mi nd i s i n c ha D o s 3 4
O A ‹ the r pe o pl e ha ve the i r g o a l s , I a l o ne a m d ul l D a nd un c o uth I a m d i f 5 7 f e re nt A ‹ f ro m o r d i na ry pe o pl e . D I nurs e 6 1 A ‹ f ro m the G re a t M o the r' s bre a s ts D r i t . 6 5 2 4 4 4 & ## 3 ∑ & ## & ## & ## & ## ∑ & ## & ## & ##
œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ nœ œ j ˙ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
‰ nœ œ j œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œnœ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ Œ
‰ nœj œ œ œ j œ ™ ‰ nœj œ œ œ j œ œ j œ nœ œ œ Œ Ó
2
C o n the o D c e a n, bl o wn a t the me r c y o f C the wi nd D5 2
O r D d i na ry pe o pl e C a re bri g ht; D I a l o ne C a m d a rk D O r d i na ry pe o pl e 3 9 C a re c l e ve r; D I a l o ne C a m d ul l D O r d i na ry pe o pl e s e e m 4 4
œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ j œ œ j ˙ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ
C d i s c ri mi na ti ng D I a l o ne a m mud d l e d a nd C c o n f us e d D I d ri f t o n the wa ve s 4 8
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ ™ œ j œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó ‰ œ œ j œ œ ˙ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ nœj œ œ j ˙ Ó
T he g re a t e s t vi r tue yo u c a n ha ve
™ ™
n
A c o me s f ro m f o l l o wi ng o n G l y the Ta o B ‹ E A whi c h ta ke s a f o rm G tha t i s B ‹ E i n 5
œ œ œ
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
ta n A g i bl e G a nd e va s i ve B ‹ E A E ve n tho ug h the Ta o G i s B ‹ E i n 9 ta n A g i bl e G a nd e va s i ve . B ‹ E A we a re a bl e to kno w G i t e x i s ts . B ‹ E I n 1 3 ta n A g i bl e a nd e va G s i ve , ye t i t ha s B ‹ a ma ni f e s ta E ti o n A r i t . 1 7 &4 & & & & n n
‰ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ ‰ œ J œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r
E q = 7 0
### U
### 3
4
G
B ‹
###
œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ Œ Ó
Since the beginning of time, the Tao has always existed. It is beyond existing and not existing. How do I know where creation comes from? I look inside myself and see it.
A G B ‹ E A
Ó Œ ™ ‰ Ó ™ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ J œ œ J œ œ œ œ Œ Œ
21
### Ta o S o n g 2 1
###
The greatest virtue you can have comes from following only the Tao; which takes a form that is intangible and evasive. Even though the Tao is intangible and evasive, we are able to know it exists. Intangible and evasive, yet it has a manifestation. Secluded and dark, yet there is a vitality within it. Its vitality is very genuine. Within it we can find order.
&
œ œ Ó Ó Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ
C S e c l u d e d a nd d a rk, E 7 ye t A ‹ the re i s a vi G ta l i ty wi th i n i t.
###
‰
J œ œ J œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó Ó Ó
Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ œ œ j œ œnœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ
™
F r e e l y 3 6 l o o k B ‹ i n s i d e my s e l f E a nd s e e i t. A3 9 2 4 2 4 4 4 & & & ### & ### ### ∑
I n T i m e 2 0
‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ
&
A I t i s be yo nd e x i s G ti ng a nd no t B ‹ e x i s ti ng E H o w d o A I kno w whe re c re a G ti o n c o me s f ro m? I
A ‹ E E 7 r i t . 2 8
œ œ œ ™ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ
‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ‰ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ ™ Œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ
A S i nc e the be g i n G ni ng o f ti me , B ‹ E the Ta o A ha s a l G wa ys e x i s te d B ‹ E I n T i m e 3 2
A ‹ E E 7 C
J
I ts vi ta l i ty E 7 i s ve A ‹ ry g e nu i ne . Wi th 2 4 i n G i t we c a n f i nd o r d e r.
œ
r
2
™
22
###
When the ancient Masters said, “If you want to become whole, then first let yourself be broken,” they weren’t using empty words. All who do this will be made complete.
## & ##
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tr bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
A
œ œ J œ œ J w œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ œ w œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œ j œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œ j œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ j œ œ j ˙ Œ ™ œ j ˙ ™ Œ œ ™ œ œ œ j œ œ j ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ w
G q = 1 3 0
I f yo u wa nt to be c o me who l e , f i rs t A l e t yo ur s e l f be c o me G bro ke n I f A yo u wa nt to be c o me s tra i g ht, G7 f i rs t A l e t yo ur s e l f be c o me G twi s te d I f A yo u wa nt to be c o me f ul l , G11 f i rs t A l e t yo ur s e l f be c o me G e mp ty I f A yo u wa nt to be c o me ne w, G1 5 ™ ™ ™ ™ f i rs t A l e t yo ur s e l f be G c o me o l d . D1 9 T ho s e D who s e d e s i re s a re f e w C g e t the m T ho s e D who s e d e s i re s a re 2 4 g re a t C g o a s tra y F o r thi s D re a s o n the M a s te r e m 2 9 bra c e s C the Ta o a s D a n e x a m pl e 3 3 f o r the wo rl d C to f o l l o w D3 7
& ###
For this reason the Master embraces the Tao, as an example for the world to follow. Because she isn’t self centered, people can see the light in her. Because she does not boast of herself, she becomes a shining example. Because she does not glorify herself, she becomes a person of merit. Because she wants nothing from the world, the world can not overcome her.
S
###
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ J w œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ J w œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & & & & ∑ O L O ∑ & ∑
Ta o S o n g 2 2
###
## 3 & ## & ##
###
###
™ ™ A G A G
If you want to become whole, first let yourself become broken. If you want to become straight, first let yourself become twisted. If you want to become full, first let yourself become empty. If you want to become new, first let yourself become old. Those whose desires are few get them, those whose desires are great go astray.
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pe o A pl e c a n s e e the l i g ht G i n he r B e c a us e A s he d o e s no t bo a s t o f he r s e l f G4 8 s he A be c o me s a s hi n i ng e x a m G pl e B e c a us e A s he d o e s no t g l o ri f y he r s e l f G5 2 s he A be c o me s a pe r s o n o f me G ri t B e c a us e A s he wa nts no th i ng f ro m the wo rl d , 5 6 ™ ™ ™ ™ G the wo rl d A c a n no t o ve r G c o me he r D5 9
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Ta o S o n g 2 3
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If you open yourself to loss, then you will become lost.
“When you do not trust people, people will become untrustworthy.”
Why do we humans go on endlessly about little when nature does much in a little time?
q = 1 3 4
∑ ∑ & ∑ & ∑ & & & Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ j œ œ j ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ œ ™ ˙ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ j j
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23
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ j ˙ ˙ ™ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ
A ‹
Nature uses few words: when the gale blows, it will not last long; when it rains hard, it lasts but a little while; What causes these to happen? Heaven and Earth.
If you open yourself to the Tao, you and Tao become one. If you open yourself to Virtue, then you can become virtuous.
If you open yourself to the Tao, the Tao will eagerly welcome you. If you open yourself to virtue, virtue will become a part of you. If you open yourself to loss, the lost are glad to see you.
F
P ub i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H . M c D o na l d . P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y ™ ™
H e a F ve n a nd E a rth A ‹ W hy d o we hu ma ns g o o n E e n d l e s s l y a 1 7 bo ut F l i t tl e C G A ‹ whe n na ture d o e s muc h i n F a l i t tl e ti me ? I f yo u 2 1 o A ‹ pe n yo ur s e l f to the Ta o , E yo u F a nd Ta o be C c o me o ne G I f yo u 2 7
Na ture u s e s f e w wo rd s : whe n the g a l e bl o ws , i t wi l l no t C l a s t l o ng ; G A ‹ whe n i t ra i ns E ha rd , F i t l a s ts but a l i t 6 C tl e whi l e ; G A ‹ W ha t c a u s e s the s e thi ng s to ha p pe n? E1 2
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o A ‹ pe n yo ur s e l f to Vi r tue E the n F yo u c a n be c o me vi r C tu o us G I f yo u 3 1 o A ‹ pe n yo ur s e l f to l o s s E the n F yo u wi l l be c o me l o s t. I f yo u 3 5 o G pe n yo ur s e l f to the Ta o , D the Ta o C wi l l e a g e r l y we l c o me yo u I f yo u 3 9 o G pe n yo ur s e l f to Vi r tue , D vi r C tue wi l l be c o me a pa rt o f yo u I f yo u 4 3 o pe n yo ur s e l f to l o s s , D the l o s t C a re g l a d to s e e yo u " W he n 4 7 yo u D d o no t trus t pe o pl e , pe o pl e wi l l be c o me un trus t wo r thy. " G C G r i t . 5 1 & & & & & &
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B B /G B /F © A D F Œ„ Š7 C G G S wi n g q = 9 2
## & ## ∑ ∑ ∑ U 3 3 Œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ J œ œ œ J œ œ ˙ œ ™ œ J œ nœ nœ J œ ‰ œ nœ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ J œ Œ ‰ œ J œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œnœ ™ nœ œ œ Œ œ nœ ‰ œ J œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ ™ œ ™ œ J nœ J œ ‰ Œ nœ ™ œ œ j œ Œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ J œ œ J œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ J œ œ J œ œnœ nœ œ œ œ nœ œ nœ œ œ œ ˙ Œ
Those who stand on tiptoes do not stand firmly. Those who rush ahead don’t get very far. Those who try to outshine others dim their own light. Those who call themselves righteous can’t know how wrong they are. Those who boast of their accomplishments diminish the things they have done.
3 &4 ## ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 2 4
## ∑
T ho s e B who s ta nd B /G o n B /F © ti p to e s B d o A no t s ta nd f i rm l y T ho s e D who rus h a he a d F Œ„ Š7 d o n' t 1 0 g e t C ve ry f a r G T ho s e B who try B /G to B /F © o ut B s hi ne o the rs A d i m the i r o wn 1 6 l i g ht T ho s e D who c a l l the m s e l ve s ri g h F Œ„ Š7 te o us c a n' t kno w C ho w wro ng the y G a re 2 2
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P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ub i c d o ma i n tra ns l a t o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
T ho s e B who bo a s t B /G o f the i r B /F © B A a c c o m pl i s h me nts d i mi D ni s h the thi ng s F Œ„ Š72 8 the y C ha ve d o ne G C o m pa re d B to B /G the Ta o , B /F © B the s e a c A ti o ns a re un wo r thy I f 3 4 we D a re to f o l l o w the F Œ„ Š7 Ta o , we mus t no t C d o the s e thi ng s G4 1 & & & & &
## ∑ 3
24
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Compared to the Tao, these actions are unworthy. If we are to follow the Tao, we must not do these things.
q = 1 2 0
4 4 2 4 4 4 & ##### ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 2 5 & ##### & ##### ∑ ∑ & ##### & ##### & ##### ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ˙ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó œ œ œ œ
It stands alone and empty, solitary and unchanging. It is ever present and secure. It may be regarded as the Mother of the universe.
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
Because it is Great means it is everywhere. Being everywhere means it is eternal. Being eternal means everything returns to it. Tao is WithinEarthHeavengreat.isgreat.isgreat.Humanityisgreat.theuniverse, these are the four great things.
Heaven follows the Tao. The Tao follows only itself.
Because I do not know its name, I call it the Tao.
Humanity follows the earth. Earth follows Heaven.
B B e f o re the u E Œ„ Š7 ni ve rs e wa s bo rn B the re wa s s o me thi ng i n the c ha
c ha ng E Œ„ Š7 i ng . B I t i s e ve r pre s e nt a nd s e c ure . E Œ„ Š7 B I t 1 0
25
ma y be re g a r d e d a s the M o the r E Œ„ Š7 o f the u ni ve rs e . B B e c a us e I d o no t kno w i ts na me , E Œ„ Š7 B1 5
o s E Œ„ Š7 o f the he a ve ns B I t s ta nd s a l o ne a nd e mp E Œ„ Š7 ty, B s o l i ta ry a nd un 6
G re a t B B e c a us e i t i s G re a t E Œ„ Š7 B me a ns i t E Œ„ Š7 i s e ve ry whe re B B e i ng e ve ry 2 4
If forced to give it a name, I would call it ‘Great’.
Before the universe was born there was something in the chaos of the heavens.
I c a l l i t the Ta o E Œ„ Š7 B I f f o rc e d to g i ve i t a na me E Œ„ Š7 B I wo ul d c a l l E Œ„ Š7 i t 1 9
H e a E Œ„ Š7 ve n f o l l o ws the B Ta o T he Ta o E Œ„ Š7 f o l l o ws o n l y i t B s e l f . E Œ„ Š7 B5 0
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whe re E Œ„ Š7 B me a ns i t E Œ„ Š7 i s e te r B na l . B e i ng e te r E Œ„ Š7 B na l 3 0
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f o ur g re a t thi ng s B H u ma E Œ„ Š7 ni ty f o l l o ws the e a rth B E a rth E Œ„ Š7 f o l l o ws H e a ve n B4 5
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E Œ„ Š7 B me a ns e B ve ry thi ng re turns G © ‹ to i t F © Ta o E Œ„ Š7 i s g re a t B3 5
H e a E Œ„ Š7 ve -n i s g re a t B E a rth E Œ„ Š7 i s g re a t B H u ma E Œ„ Š7 - -ni -ty i s g re a t B Wi th i n E Œ„ Š7 - the u -ni ve rs e , - the s e a re the 4 1
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2
If you abandon yourself to foolishness, you lose touch with your beginnings. If you let yourself become distracted, you will lose the basis of your power.
26
Ta o S o n g 2 6
F Œ„
∑ ∑
Heaviness is the basis of lightness. Stillness is the standard of activity. Thus the Master travels all day without ever leaving her wagon. Even though she has much to see, she is at peace in her indifference.
C G C
q = 1
4
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Why should the lord of a thousand chariots be amused at the foolishness of the world?
∑ ∑ ∑
P ubl c d o ma n s o ng by V to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e y
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S ti l l G ne s s i s the s ta n d a rd o f a c ti C vi ty T hus the M a s te r tra F Œ„ Š7 ve l s a l l d a y wi th o ut e ve r 7 l e a v C i ng he r wa g o n E ve n tho ug h G s he ha s muc h to s e e C s he i s a t pe a c e F Œ„ Š7 i n he r i n 1 0 d i f C f e re nc e W hy s ho ul d the l o rd F o f a tho u s a nd c ha ri o ts C be a mus e d a t the 1 4 f o o G l i s h ne s s o f the wo rl d ? C I f yo u a ba n d o n F Œ„ Š7 yo ur s e l f to f o o l i s h C ne s s yo u l o s e 1 8 to uc h G wi th yo ur be g i n ni ng s C I f yo u l e t yo ur s e l f F Œ„ Š7 be c o me d i s tra c te d , 2 2 C yo u wi l l l o s e the ba G s i s o f yo ur po we r C2 5 &4 ∑ ∑
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™ ™ Š7 H e a F Œ„ Š7 vi ne s s i s the ba s i s o f l i g ht ne s s 2 2
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q = 1 2 6
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Thus the Master is willing to help everyone, and doesn’t know the meaning of rejection. She is there to help all of creation, and doesn’t abandon even the smallest creature. This is called embracing the light.
What is a good person but a bad person’s teacher? What is a bad person but raw material for his teacher?
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j
G C G
If you fail to honor your teacher or fail to enjoy your student, you will become deluded no matter how smart you are. It is the secret of prime importance.
Ta o S o n g 2 7
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na . P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
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s ki l l f ul s pe a ke r i s we l l C re he a rs e d G A g o o d D bo o k ke e pe r ha s a n 6 e x C c e l l e nt me mo ry, G a nd a we l l ma d e d o o r i s e a C s y to o pe n G1 0 a nd ne e d s no C l o c ks G A g o o d D kno t ne e d s no ro pe a nd i t 1 4 c a n C no t c o me un d o ne G T hus the M a s te r i s wi l l i ng to he l p C e ve ry o ne G a nd 1 8 d o e s n t kno w the me a n i ng o f re C je c G ti o n S he D i s the re to he l p a l l o f c re a ti o n, a nd 2 2 ∑ ∑
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A good traveler leaves no tracks, and a skillful speaker is well rehearsed.
J
Œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ
A good bookkeeper has an excellent memory, and a well made door is easy to open and needs no locks. A good knot needs no rope and it can not come undone.
A g o o d tra ve l e r l e a ve s no tra c ks a nd a
27
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d o e s C n' t a ba n G d o n e C ve n the s ma l l e s t c re a G ture . T hi s C i s c a l l e d e m bra c i ng 2 6 G the l i g ht W ha t i s a g o o d D pe r s o n but a ba d C pe r s o n s te a G c he r? W ha t i s a 3 1 ba d D pe r s o n but ra w ma te ri a l C f o r hi s te a c he r? G I f D yo u f a i l to ho C no r yo ur te a G c he r o r 3 5 f a i l C to e n jo y yo ur s tu d e nt, G yo u C wi l l be c o me d e l u d e d G no 3 9 ma t C te r ho w s ma rt yo u a re G I t i s the s e C c re t o f pri me F r e e l y4 3 i m po r G ta nc e C G I n T i m e 4 6
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œ œ œ ˙ ™ ˙ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ
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P ub c d o ma n s o ng by V to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H . M c D o na l d . P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e y
Know the masculine, but keep to the feminine: and become a watershed to the world. If you embrace the world, the Tao will never leave you and you become as a little child.
The block of wood is carved into utensils by carving void into the wood. The Master uses the utensils, yet prefers to keep to the block because of its limitless possibilities. Great works do not involve discarding substance.
4 4 2 4 4 4 & ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 2 8
28
C1 9 F Œ„
Know the white, yet keep to the black: be a model for the world. If you are a model for the world, the Tao inside you will strengthen and you will return whole to your eternal beginning.
& & ∑ ∑ S O L O ∑ ∑ & Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J ‰ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ J Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ‰ ™ œ R œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ œ œ#œ œ< #> #œ œ œ Ó Ó Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ
Know the honorable, but do not shun the disgraced: embracing the world as it is.
K no w the ma s c u l i ne , but ke e p to the f e mi ni ne : a nd
q = 8 4
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be c o me a wa te r s he d to the wo rl d . I f yo u e m bra c e the wo rl d , the 5
If you embrace the world with compassion, then your virtue will return you to the uncarved block.
Ta o i n s i d e yo u wi l l s tre ng the n a nd yo u wi l l re turn who l e to yo ur e te r na l be g i n ni ng 1 6 ™ ™ ™ ™
F Œ„ Š7 C F Œ„ Š7 Š7 K no w the ho no ra bl e , but d o no t s hun the d i s g ra c e d : C F Œ„ Š7 e m bra c i ng the wo rl d a s i t i s . 5 & & &
ke e p to the bl a c k be a mo d e l f o r the wo rl d . I f yo u a re a mo d e l f o r the wo rl d , the 1 2
C I f yo u F Œ„ Š7 e m bra c e the wo rl d wi th c o m pa s s i o n, the n yo ur vi r C tue wi l l re turn yo u to the 2 8 ™ ™ ™ ™ un G c a rve d bl o c k G 7 A ‹ T he bl o c k o f wo o d i s c a rve d 3 1 i n to u te n s i l s by c a r vi ng vo i d i n to the wo o d . T he 3 7
M a s te r u s e s the u te n s i l s , ye t pre f e rs to ke e p to the bl o c k 4 0 ™ ™ ™ ™ F Œ„ Š7 C F Œ„ Š7 C F Œ„ Š7 be c a us e o f i ts l i mi t l e s s 4 3 po s s i bi l i ti e s C F Œ„ Š7 G re a t wo rks d o no t i n vo l ve 4 9 C d i s c a r F Œ„ Š7 d i ng s ub s ta nc e C F Œ„ Š7 C5 1 & & ∑ S O L O ∑ ∑ & & & ∑ S O L O ∑ ∑ 3 & &
∑ ∑ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó ‰ œ #œj œ ™ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ Ó Ó ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ 2
™
12 8 6 8 12 8 6 8 6 8 12 8 6 8 12 8 & S O L O ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 2 9 &
F Œ„ Š7 C D o F Œ„ Š7 yo u wa nt to rul e the wo rl d a nd c o n C tro l i t? I F Œ„ Š7 d o n t thi nk i t e ve r c a n be d o ne C T he wo rl d F Œ„ Š7 i s a s a c re d ve s 5 ™ ™ ™ ™ C s e l a nd i t c a n F Œ„ Š7 no t be C c o n tro l l e d F Œ„ Š7 C8 Yo u F Œ„ Š7 wi l l o n l y ma ke i t wo rs e i f yo u C try. I t ma y F Œ„ Š7 s l i p thro ug h yo ur f i n g e rs a nd 1 3 C d i s a p pe a r. S o me F Œ„ Š7 a re me a nt to l e a d , a nd o C the rs a re me a nt to f o l l o w; 1 6 S o me F Œ„ Š7 mus t a l wa ys s tra i n, C a nd o F Œ„ Š7 the rs ha ve a n e a s y C ti me S o me F Œ„ Š7 a re na tu ra l l y bi g C a nd s tro ng , a nd 1 9
™ ™ ™ ™ o F Œ„ Š7 the rs wi l l a l wa ys be C s ma l l F Œ„ Š7 C S o me F Œ„ Š7 wi l l be pro te c te d a nd nur 2 2 ture d , C a nd o F Œ„ Š7 the rs wi l l me e t wi th d e s truc ti o n. C T he 2 7 M a s F Œ„ Š7 te r a c c e pts thi ng s C a s the y a re , a nd o ut F Œ„ Š7 o f c o m pa s C s i o n a 3 0 ™ ™ ™ ™ vo i d s F Œ„ Š7 e x tra C va g a nc e e x F Œ„ Š7 c e s s a nd the C e x tre me s F Œ„ Š73 3 & & & & œ œ œ œ j œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ Œ œ j œ ™ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ j œ j œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ ™ Œ œ j œ ™ Œ œ j œ œ J œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ ‰ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ j œ œ j œ ™ œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ j œ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ Œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ Œ ™ ‰ ‰ œ j œ œ j œ œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ j œ œ j œ ™ ‰ ‰ œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ Œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
C
S O L O ∑ ∑
4 & S O L O ∑ ∑ & 4 & & ∑ ∑ 4 œ
4 4
I don’t think it can ever be done.
The world is a sacred vessel and it can not be controlled. You will only make it worse if you try. It may slip through your fingers and disappear.
Do you want to rule the world and control it?
Some are meant to lead, and others are meant to follow; Some must always strain, and others have an easy time; Some are naturally big and strong, and others will always be small; Some will be protected and nurtured, and others will meet with destruction.
™ ™
The Master accepts things as they are, and out of compassion avoids extravagance, excess and the extremes.
29
q = 6 6
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C
4 4 2 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 & #### ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 3 0 & #### & #### & #### ∑ ∑ ∑ & #### & #### & #### & #### ∑ ∑ & #### & #### U œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j Œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ j ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ ˙ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ ˙ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ
B 7
E
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl c d o ma n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y ™ ™
Those who lead people by following the Tao don’t use weapons to enforce their will. Using force always leads to unseen troubles. In the places where armies march, thorns and briars bloom and grow. After armies take to war, bad years must always follow. The skillful commander strikes a decisive blow then stops. When victory is won over the enemy through war it is not a thing of great pride. When the battle is over, arrogance is the new enemy. War can result when no other alternative is given, so the one who overcomes an enemy should not dominate
B 7
T ho s e who l e a d pe o pl e by f o l l o wi ng the Ta o d o n t us e we a po ns to e n f o rc e the i r E wi l l U B 7 s i ng f o rc e a l wa ys l e a d s to un E s e e n tro u bl e s I n the pl a A c e s whe re a r mi e s ma rc h E6 tho rns A a nd bri a rs bl o o m a nd E g ro w. Af te r a r A mi e s ta ke to wa r E ba d ye a rs A mus t a l wa ys 1 0 ™ ™ ™ ™ E f o l l o w C Œ„ Š7 E ‹ E ‹ T he s ki l l B 7 f ul c o m ma n d e r s tri ke s a d e 1 21 3 c i E s i ve bl o w the n s to ps W he n vi c B 7 to ry i s wo n o ve r the e ne my E thro ug h wa r i t i s 1 9 no t B 7 a thi ng o f g re a t pri d e E W he n the ba t A tl e i s o ve r, E a r ro g a nc e A i s the ne w e E ne my 2 2 Wa r A c a n re s ul t whe n E no o A the r a l te r na ti ve i s E g i ve n s o the 2 6 ™ ™ ™ ™ o ne A who o ve r c o me s E a n e ne my s ho ul d no t A d o mi na te E the m C Œ„ Š7 E ‹12 8 E ‹ T he s tro ng B 7 a l wa ys we a ke n wi th ti me E T hi s B 7 i s no t the wa y o f the 23 3 Ta o E T ha t B 7 whi c h i s no t o f the Ta o E wi l l s o o n A E e nd 3 7 Œ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
q = 11 4
Œ„ Š7 E ‹
This is not the way of the Tao. That which is not of the Tao will soon end.
30
Thethem.strong always weaken with time.
E ‹ o f ba d ne ws ; F Œ„ Š7 G a l l pe o pl e s ho ul d A ‹/E F d e t e s t the m 8 G T he wi s e C ma n va l ue s the l e f t s i d e , D ‹ a nd i n ti me o f E ‹ wa r he va l ue s the ri g ht. F Œ„ Š71 3 We a G po ns a re me a nt f o r d e s truc A ‹ ti o n a nd thus G 7 /B a re a vo i d e d by the wi s e . C1 8
We a po ns a re the be a re rs
q = 1 2 0
œ
4 &4
P ubl c d o ma n s o ng by V to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e y
Weapons are the bearers of bad news; all people should detest them.
A ‹ G F E ‹ D ‹ C C
F O n l y a s a l a s t re s o rt G wi l l a wi s e A ‹ pe r s o n us e a d e a d l y we a F Œ„ Š7 po n. I f pe a c e i s 2 3 he r G true A ‹ o b je c ti ve G 7 /B ho w A ‹ c a n s he G re jo i c e F i n E ‹ the vi c to 2 8 ry D ‹ o f wa r? C T ho s e C who re jo i c -e i n vi c to D ‹ - -ry d e3 3 ∑ ∑ ∑ & & & ∑ & 3 & & ∑ ∑ 3 Ó Ó Ó Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ j œ ™ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œ j œ œ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ J œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j ˙ ™ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ
Ta o S o n g 3 1
The wise man values the left side, and in time of war he values the right. Weapons are meant for destruction, and thus are avoided by the wise. Only as a last resort will a wise person use a deadly weapon. If peace is her true objective how can she rejoice in the victory of war? Those who rejoice in victory delight in the slaughter of humanity. Those who resort to violence will never bring peace to the world. The left side is a place of honor on happy occasions. The right side is reserved for mourning at a funeral. When the lieutenants take the left side to prepare for war, the general should be on the right side, because he knows the outcome will be death. The death of many should be greeted with great sorrow, and the victory celebration should honor those who have died.
31
œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j ˙ Œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j
D ‹
Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ J œ ™ œ j œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ ˙ œ j œ œ j ˙ Ó
T he d e a th o f ma ny G s ho ul d be g re e t A ‹ e d wi th g re a t s o r ro w, G 7 /B a nd the vi c 6 5 A ‹ to ry c e l e bra G ti o n F s ho ul d ho E ‹ no r tho s e D ‹ who ha ve d i e d C6 9 & 3 & & 3 & 3 & ∑ & ∑ & & ∑ U3
˙ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ j œ ™
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ œ j œ J œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó
2
3
l i g ht E ‹ i n the s l a ug h te r o f hu F Œ„ Š7 ma ni ty T ho s e G who re s o rt to vi E ‹ o l e nc e wi l l 8 ne F ve r bri ng pe a c e to the wo rl d . G T he l e f t C s i d e i s a pl a c e D ‹ o f ho no r 4 2 E ‹ o n ha p py o c c a F Œ„ Š7 s i o ns T he ri g ht G s i d e i s re s e rve d A ‹ f o r mo ur ni ng 4 6 a t G 7 /B a f u C ne ra l W he n the l i e u F te na nts ta ke the l e f t s i d e G5 0 to A ‹ pre pa re f o r wa r, F the g e ne ra l s ho ul d G be o n A ‹ the ri g ht s i d e , 5 5 G F be c a us e he kno ws G the o ut A ‹ c o me wi l l be d e a th F6 0
œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
All things end in the Tao just as the small streams and the largest rivers flow through valleys to the sea.
s we e t F © ‹ ra i n f a l l i ng o n pa ra d i s e B P e o µ pl e wo ul d ha ve no ne e d E f o r l a ws , A2 1 E be c a us e the l a w wo ul d be wri t A te n o n E the i r he a rts . Na A mi ng i s a ne c e s s i ty 2 5 ∑
j œ
pe o F © ‹ pl e wi l l wi l l i ng l y f o l l o w B he a F © ‹ ve n wo ul d the n re i g n o n e a rth, B l i ke 1 7
Ó
A
œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ
The Tao is nameless and unchanging. Although it appears insignificant, nothing in the world can contain it. If a ruler abides by its principles, then her people will willingly follow. Heaven would then reign on earth, like sweet rain falling on paradise. People would have no need for laws, because the law would be written on their hearts.
Al tho ug h i t a p A pe a rs i n s i g ni E f i c a nt, no th i ng i n the wo rl d A c a n c o n ta i n 7 E i t. A E A E I f a ru F © ‹ l e r a bi d e s by i ts B pri n c i pl e s , the n he r 11
Naming is a necessity for order, but naming can not order all things. Naming often makes things impersonal, so we should know when naming should end. Knowing when to stop naming, you can avoid the pitfall it brings.
32
E
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4 &4 ####
q = 1 0 8
‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó Ó Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ Ó Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Ó Ó Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
T he Ta o i s na me l e s s a nd un c ha ng i ng
∑ Ta o S o n g 3 2 & #### 3 & #### ∑ 3 & #### & #### & ####
E A E A E
L O ∑ ∑ ∑ & ####L a s
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∑ & #### & #### ∑ Ó Œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó Ó Ó Ó Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 2
Al l thi ng s A e nd i n the Ta o E jus t a s A the s ma l l E s tre a ms 5 0 a nd A the l a rg e s t ri ve rs E f l o w thro ug h va l A l e ys to the s e a ES l o wl y5 4 O t T i m e 3 & S O L O
f o r o r E d e r, E2
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™ ™ ™ ™
A E F © ‹ B
A
9
B but na F © ‹ mi ng c a n no t o r d e r a l l thi ng s B Na F © ‹ mi ng o f te n ma ke s thi ng s i m 3 6
™ ™ ™ ™ ™ ™ ™ ™
pe r B s o na l s o we F © ‹ s ho ul d kno w whe n na mi ng s ho ul d e nd B K no F © ‹ wi ng whe n to s to p 4 0 na B mi ng yo u c a n a vo i d the pi t f a l l i t bri ng s E A E E A E4 4
E
Those who know others are intelligent; those who know themselves are truly wise. Those who master others are strong; those who master themselves have true power.
œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ ™ ˙ ‰ œ œ j œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ ˙ ‰
Those who persist will reach their goal.
œ œ j ˙ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j ˙ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó ‰ œ œ j œ œ ˙ Œ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ ™ œ j ˙
Those who keep their course have a strong will. Those who embrace death will not perish, but have life everlasting.
T ho s e F Œ„ Š7 who e m bra c e d e a th wi l l no t C Œ„ Š7 pe ri s h but ha ve F Œ„ Š7 l i f e 3 7 ™ ™ ™ ™ e ve r C Œ„ Š7 l a s ti ng F Œ„ Š7 C Œ„ Š74 2 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
q = 11 0
33
F Œ„ Š7 C Œ„ Š7 T ho s e F Œ„ Š7 who kno w o the rs a re C Œ„ Š7 i n te l l i g e nt;
Ta o S o n g 3 3
P ub i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y ™ ™
4 &4
tho s e F Œ„ Š7 who kno w the m s e l ve s a re tru l y wi s e C Œ„ Š7 T ho s e F Œ„ Š7 who ma s te r o the rs 8 a re s tro ng ; C Œ„ Š7 tho s e F Œ„ Š7 who ma s te r the m s e l ve s ha ve true 1 4 ™ ™ ™ ™ C Œ„ Š7 po we r. F Œ„ Š7 C Œ„ Š7 T ho s e F Œ„ Š7 who kno w the y ha ve 1 9 e no ug h a re tru C Œ„ Š7 l y we a l thy T ho s e F Œ„ Š7 who pe r s i s t wi l l re a c h the i r 2 6 C Œ„ Š7 g o a l T ho s e F Œ„ Š7 who ke e p the i r c o urs e ha ve a s tro ng C Œ„ Š7 wi l l 3 1
Those who know they have enough are truly wealthy.
& ∑ ∑ & ∑ & ∑ S O L O ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & ∑ & ∑ ∑ & & ∑ S O L O ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
S i nc e G i t i s wi th o ut wa nts a nd d e s i re s i t c a n C be c o n s i d e re d hum bl e 4 0 Al l D o f c re a ti o n s e e ks i t f o r re f ug e ye t i t C d o e s no t s e e k to ma s te r o r c o n G tro l 4 6 B e G c a us e i t d o e s no t s e e kg re a t ne s s ; i t i s a C bl e to a c c o m D pl i s h 5 2 D “ 4 D tru C l y g re a t G thi ng s 5 9 & œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ
6 8 3 8 6 8 & # ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 3 4 & # & # & # ∑ 3 & #
™ ™ G E ‹ G E ‹ E ‹
34
# ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & # ∑ ∑ & # ∑ & # ∑ ∑ & # ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ U Œ ™ ‰ Œ Œ ™ ‰ Œ Œ ™ ‰ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ ™ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ j ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ œ J œ Œ ™ Œ ™ ‰ ‰ ≈ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ œ J Œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ≈ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ≈ œ œ
The great Tao flows unobstructed in every direction. All things rely on it to conceive and be born, and it does not deny even the smallest of creation. When it has accomplished great wonders, it does not claim them for itself. It nourishes infinite worlds, yet it doesn’t seek to master the smallest creature. Since it is without wants and desires, it can be considered humble. All of creation seeks it for refuge yet it does not seek to master or control. Because it does not seek greatness; it is able to accomplish truly great things.
T he g re a t Ta o f l o ws un o b s truc te d i n e C ve ry d i re c ti o n Al l D thi ng s re l y o n i t to c o n c e i ve C a nd be G bo rn, 8 a nd i t G d o e s no t d e ny e ve n the s ma l l e s t o f C c re a ti o n W he n 1 4 i t D ha s a c c o m pl i s he d g re a t wo n d e rs , C i t d o e s no t c l a i m the m f o r i t G s e l f 1 9 I t G no ur i s h e s i n f i ni te wo rl d s , ye t i t C d o e s n t s e e k to ma s te r D the s ma l 2 4 l e s t c re a ture . C G G C D D ( “ 4) D C2 9 G
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a t o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
1 2 q = 5 4
œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ J œ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ ™ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ ™
G
r
œ
™ ™
Ó Œ Œ Ó Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
She who follows the way of the Tao will draw the world to her steps. She can go without fear of being injured, because she has found peace and tranquility in her heart.
#œ
S he E ‹ who f o l l o ws the wa y o f the Ta o wi l l
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ ™ œ
the re E ‹ i s mu s i c a nd g o o d f o o d , pe o D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) pl e wi l l s to p to e n jo y A i t A 7 B ut 1 8 wo rd s E ‹ s po ke n o f the Ta o s e e m to the m bo D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ri ng a nd s ta l e . A A 7 W he n l o o ke d E ‹ a t the re i s no th i ng 2 0 D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) f o r the m to s e e A A 7 W he n l i s G te ne d f o r, the re i s no th i ng 2 3 D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) f o r the m A to he a r A 7 Ye t i f G the y put i t to us e , i t wo ul d ne ve r be e x 2 5 D ha us te d 2 8 ∑ & # & # ∑ & # ∑ ∑ & # & # & # & # & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
#
4 &4 # ∑
E ‹ D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) A A 7 E ‹ D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 A A 7
Ta o S o n g 3 5
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ ™ j œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ ™ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ Ó
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ub c d o ma n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ Ó Œ Œ Ó Œ Œ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ≈ œ r
35
q = 1 0 0 d ra w D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) the wo rl d to he r s te ps A A 7 S he E ‹ c a n g o wi th o ut f e a r o f be i ng i n jure d D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 A A 7 be 6 c a us e E ‹ s he ha s f o und pe a c e D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 a nd tra n A q ui l i ty A 7 G i n he r he a rt 9 ™ ™ ™ ™ E ‹ D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) A A 7 E ‹ D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 A A 7 D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 A A 7 W he re 1 21 3
Where there is music and good food, people will stop to enjoy it. But words spoken of the Tao seem to them boring and stale. When looked at, there is nothing for them to see. When listened for, there is nothing for them to hear. Yet if they put it to use, it would never be exhausted.
œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó œ œ œ œ
4 &4
C G
If you want something to return to the source, you must first allow it to spread out. If you want something to weaken, you must first allow it to become strong. If you want something to be removed, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want to possess something, you must first give it away.
Just as fish remain hidden in deep waters, it is best to keep weapons out of sight.
F C G A ‹
S O L O
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y ™ ™
F
F C G A ‹
I f F yo u wa nt to po s s e s s s o me C thi ng , yo u mus t 2 9 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & & & ∑ & ∑
˙ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ
q = 1 4 0
This is called the subtle understanding of how things are meant to be. The soft and pliable overcomes the hard and inflexible.
36
Ta o S o n g 3 6
&
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
I f yo u wa nt s o me thi ng to re turn to the A ‹ s o urc e yo u mus t F f i rs t a l l o w i t to C G s pre a d o ut A ‹8 I f F yo u wa nt s o me thi ng to C G we a ke n, A ‹ yo u mus t F f i rs t a l l o w i t 1 3 to C be c o me s tro ng G I f F yo u wa nt s o me thi ng to C G be re 1 8 mo ve d A ‹ yo u mus t F f i rs t a l l o w i t to C f l o ur G i s h 2 4 ™ ™ ™ ™
œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ ™ œ j œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ ˙ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ w
2
& & & & ∑ & S O L O ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ U
f i rs t G g i ve i t a wa y. A ‹ T hi s F i s c a l l e d the s ub tl e un d e r s ta n C d i ng o f 3 5 ho w G thi ng s a re me a nt to be A ‹ T he s o f t F a nd pl i a bl e o ve r C c o me s the 3 9 ha rd G a nd i n f l e x i bl e A ‹ J us t a s f i s h F re ma i n hi d d e n i n d e e p 4 3 wa C te rs , i t i s be s t G to ke e p we a F Œ„ Š7 po ns o ut o f s i g ht C4 6 ™ ™ ™ ™ F C G A ‹ F Œ„ Š7 C5 1
G A ‹5 7
37
o f F Œ„ Š7 the Un c a rve d C B l o c k. F Œ„ Š7 C A ‹ G3 4 F Œ„ Š7 B y the po we r o f the Un C c a rve d B l o c k, f u A ‹ ture g e ne ra ti o ns G F Œ„ Š7 wo ul d l o s e the i r C4 3 A ‹ s e l f i s h G d e s i re s F Œ„ Š7 B y l o s i ng the i r s e l C f i s h d e s i re s , A ‹ the wo rl d wo ul d na 4 9 G tu ra l l y s e t F Œ„ Š7 tl e i n to C pe a c e 5 4
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & & & ∑ & & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ x 4 & & &
The Tao never acts with force, yet there is nothing that it can not do.
™ ™ F Œ„ Š7 C A ‹ G G
4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 &
By the power of the Uncarved Block, future generations would lose their selfish desires. By losing their selfish desires, the world would naturally settle into peace.
3
Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ w Ó œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ Œ Œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ ™ œ j ˙ ˙ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ ˙ ™ Ó œ j œ œ j œ ™ œ j ˙ Ó œ ™ œ j œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ w Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ œ œ œ w Œ ™ œ j œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™
1 2 q = 1 3 2
Ta o S o n g 3 7
∑ ∑ ∑
F Œ„ Š7
C A ‹
T he Ta o ne ve r a c ts wi th f o rc e , ye t the re i s G no th i ng F Œ„ Š7 tha t i t c a n no t d o . C A ‹ G I f ru F Œ„ Š7 l e rs c o ul d f o l l o w the 9 wa y C o f the Ta o , A ‹ the n a l l o f c re a G ti o n wo ul d F Œ„ Š7 wi l l i ng l y f o l C l o w 1 5 the i r A ‹ e x a m pl e C I f s e l G f i s h d e s i re s we re F to a C ri s e 2 0 a f G te r the i r tra ns f o r F ma C ti o n, I wo ul d e ra s e A ‹ the m wi th the po G we r 2 7 ™ ™ ™ ™
If rulers could follow the way of the Tao, then all of creation would willingly follow their example. If selfish desires were to arise after their transformation, I would erase them with the power of the Uncarved Block.
P ub i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
P ubl c d o ma n s o ng by V to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H . M c D o na l d . P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e y
™
T he ki nd pe r s o n a c ts f ro m the he a rt, a nd a c c o m pl i s h e s a mul ti 3 0 tud e o f thi ng s T he ri g ht e o us pe r s o n a c ts o ut o f pi ty, ye t l e a ve s ma ny thi ng s un 3 6 d o ne T he mo ra l pe r s o n wi l l a c t o ut o f d u ty, a nd whe n no o ne wi l l re 4 0 & & & & & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ J œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ j œ J œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ
3
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ J j j J j J j œ œ j œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ
The righteous person acts out of pity, yet leaves many things undone.
4 &4S O L O ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 3 8
3 3 3 3 3
T he hi g h e s t g o o d i s no t to s e e k to d o g o o d , but to a l l o w yo ur s e l f to be c o me i t T he o r d i na ry pe r s o n s e e ks to d o g o o d thi ng s , a nd 6 f i nd s tha t the y c a n no t d o the m c o n ti nu a l l y G1 0
œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ
A ‹
œ ‰ œ
œ ˙ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ
j œ J œ œ j
œ J œ œ
Our basic understandings are not from the Tao because they come from the depths of our misunderstanding. The master abides in the fruit and not in the husk. She dwells in the Tao, and not with the things that hide it. This is how she increases in wisdom.
The highest good is not to seek to do good, but to allow yourself to become it.
38
3
∑ 3 3 3 & S O L O ∑ ∑ 3 & 3 & Ó Œ ™ œ j œ J œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ
™ ™
The moral person will act out of duty, and when no one will respond will roll up his sleeves and use force.
∑ S O L O ∑ ∑ 3
œ œ œ œ œ œ
T he M a s te r d o e s no t f o rc e vi r tue o n o the rs 1 4 thus s he i s a bl e to a c c o m pl i s h he r ta s k T he o r d i na ry pe r s o n who u s e s f o rc e , wi l l 2 1 f i nd tha t the y a c c o m pl i s h no th G i ng A ‹2 5 ™ ™ ™ ™
j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Ó
œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ
™ ™ ™ ™ A ‹
œ
The ordinary person seeks to do good things, and finds that they can not do them continually. The Master does not force virtue on others, thus she is able to accomplish her task. The ordinary person who uses force, will find that they accomplish nothing. The kind person acts from the heart, and accomplishes a multitude of things.
q = 1 2 2
œ
œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ ™ Ó Ó Œ ™ œ
When the Tao is forgotten, there is righteousness. When righteousness is forgotten, there is morality. When morality is forgotten, there is the law. The law is the husk of faith, and trust is the beginning of chaos.
œ ‰
™ ™ ™ ™ F s he i n c re a s e s i n wi s C d o m 9 5 &
œ J œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Œ ‰ œ j
∑ S O L O ∑ ∑ & & 3 & &
S O L O ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & ∑ 3 & ∑ 3 & & 3 &
œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ j œ ™ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Ó œ J œ œ J œ J œ ™ Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Œ œ œ œ j œ œ œj j œ ˙ Œ
Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ J œ œ J œ œ œ œ J œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Ó Œ ‰ œ j
s po nd wi l l ro l l up hi s s l e e ve s G a nd us e A ‹ f o rc e 4 4 W he n the Ta o i s f o r g o t te n the re i s ri g ht e o us ne s s W he n ri g ht e o us ne s s i s f o r g o t te n, 5 1 the re i s mo ra l i ty W he n mo ra l i ty i s f o r g o t te n the re i s 5 6 the l a w T he l a w i s the hus k o f f a i th, a nd trus t i s the be g i n G - ni -ng o f c ha6 1
™ ™ ™ ™
2
œ J œ œ j œ œ œ J œ œ j œ J œ ™ Œ œ œ J œ ™ œ J œ œ j œ J œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó Œ œ œ œ j œ ™
œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ w ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙
O ur ba G s i c un d e r s ta n d i ng s F a re no t f ro m C the Ta o be 1 2 3 47 5 c a us e G the y c o me f ro m the d e pths o f F o ur mi s un C d e r s ta n d i ng . T he 8 1 ma s G te -r a bi d e -s i n the f rui t F a nd no t i n C the hus k S he d we l l s i n the G Ta o , a nd 8 6 no t F wi th the thi ng s tha t hi d e C i t T hi s i s ho w G9 1
Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó
™ ™ ™ ™ ™ ™ o s .
G F C6 6
™ ™
∑ S O L O ∑ ∑
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ j œ œ j œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Ó Œ ‰ œ j
The masters of old attained unity with the Tao. 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. 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.
q = 1 4 0
Without unity, the sky becomes filthy. Without unity, the earth becomes unstable.
Without unity, the spirits become unresponsive and disappear.
u G ni ty wi th the Ta o H e a C ve n a t ta i ne d u ni ty a nd be c a me F Œ„ Š7 pure 7
D ‹
T he ma s te rs o f o l d a t ta i ne d
P ub c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
™ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
The great view the small as their source, and the high takes the low as their foundation. Their greatest asset becomes their humility. They speak of themselves as orphans and widows, thus they truly seek humility. Do not shine like the precious gem, but be as dull as a common stone.
39
4 &4 ∑ ∑
Ta o S o n g 3 9
œ œ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ j œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ j œ œ j œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙
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.
T he e a rth D ‹ a t ta i ne d u ni ty a nd f o und G pe a c e . T he 1 2 s pi C ri ts a t ta i ne d u ni ty s o the y F Œ„ Š7 c o ul d mi ni s te r T he va l D ‹ l e ys a t ta i ne d u 1 7 ni ty tha t the y mi g ht G be f ul l H u ma C ni ty a t ta i ne d u ni ty tha t the y 2 2 mi g ht F Œ„ Š7 f l o ur i s h T he i r l e a D ‹ d e rs a t ta i ne d u ni ty tha t the y mi g ht G s e t the e x a m 2 7 pl e T hi s C i s the po we r o f u A ‹ ni ty F Œ„ Š7 Wi th 3 2 o ut C u ni ty the s ky F Œ„ Š7 be c o me s f i l thy. Wi th o ut C u ni ty, the e a rth F Œ„ Š7 be c o me s un s ta bl e Wi th 3 7 ∑ & & & & 3 & & & Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ j œ œ j
œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ w Ó œ j œ œ j ˙ Œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ ˙ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó
& & & &
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ j œ œ j œ ™ œ j œ œ ˙ w Ó Œ ‰ œ j
œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j ˙ Œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ
2
œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó Ó ‰ œ œ j ˙ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ ‰ œ j
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & & & 3 & ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
o ut C u ni ty, the s pi F Œ„ Š7 ri ts be c o me un re s po n G s i ve a nd d i s a p pe a r Wi th o ut C u ni ty the 4 1 va l F Œ„ Š7 l e ys be c o me C d ry a s a d e F Œ„ Š7 s e rt Wi th o ut C u ni ty, hu ma n F Œ„ Š7 ki nd c a n' t re pro 4 6 d uc e G a nd be c o me s e x ti nc t Wi th o ut u ni ty C o ur l e a F Œ„ Š7 d e rs be c o me c o r 5 1 rupt G a nd f a l l D ‹ T he 5 5 g re a t vi e w the s ma l l a s the i r G s o urc e , a nd the hi g h C ta ke s the l o w a s the i r f o un 6 3 d a F Œ„ Š7 ti o n T he i r g re a t D ‹ e s t a s s e t be c o me s the i r G hu mi l i ty T he y 6 9 s pe a k C o f the m s e l ve s a s o r pha ns a nd wi d o ws thus F Œ„ Š7 the y tru l y s e e k hu mi l i ty C7 5 F Œ„ Š7 C F Œ„ Š7 D o no t s hi ne C l i ke the pre F Œ„ Š7 c i o us g e m but be a s C d ul l a s a 8 0 ™ ™ ™ ™ c o m F Œ„ Š7 mo n s to ne . C F Œ„ Š7 C F Œ„ Š7 C F Œ„ Š7 C8 6
P ubl i c d o ma n s o ng by Vi to D B o na . P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a t o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d . P l e a s e c o py d s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y. ™
mo ve E me nt re turns A Œ„ Š7 to the Ta o E We a k ne s s i s A Œ„ Š7 ho w the Ta o 9
œ J œ ™ Ó œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j ˙ œ œ œ œ œ Ó œ j œ œ j œ j œ ™ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ
40
™
& ####
All of creation is born from substance. Substance is born of nothing-ness.
œ j œ œ j ˙ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ Œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ J œ œ œ œ
& ####
∑ Ta o S o n g 4 0 & ####
S ub E s ta nc e i s bo rn A Œ„ Š7 o f no thi ng ne s s E2 1 ∑ ∑ ∑ 3 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ R e p a t a n d F a d e ∑ ™ Œ Ó ™ Œ Ó Œ œ
Ó
All movement returns to the Tao. Weakness is how the Tao works.
E wo rks Al l o f c re a A Œ„ Š7 ti o n i s bo rn C © ‹ f ro m s ub B s ta nc e 1 5 ™ ™ ™ ™
™
4 &4 #### ∑ ∑ ∑ x 3
E A Œ„ Š7 E E A Œ„ Š7 E Al l q = 1 3 2
##
˙ ‰ ™ nœr œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ Œ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ Œ nœ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Ó Œ ‰ œ œ
When a superior person hears of the Tao, She diligently puts it into practice. When an average person hears of the Tao, he believes half of it, and doubts the other half. When a foolish person hears of the Tao, he laughs out loud at the very idea. If he didn’t laugh, it wouldn’t be the Tao. Thus it is said: The brightness of the Tao seems like darkness, the advancement of the Tao seems like retreat, the level path seems rough, the superior path seem empty, the pure seems to be tarnished, and true virtue doesn’t seem to be enough. The virtue of caution seems like cowardice, the pure seems to be polluted, the true square seems to have no corners, the best vessels take the most time to finish, the greatest sounds cannot be heard, and the greatest image has no form.
D the Ta o , S he d i l i g e nt l y puts C i t i n to pra c ti c e D7
3
4 &4 ##
œ œ œ ˙ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j nœ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ ™ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ j
The Tao hides in the unnamed, Yet it alone nourishes and completes all things.
W he n a n a ve ra g e pe r C s o n he a rs o f D the Ta o he be l i e ve s ha l f 1 3
##
q = 11 6
P ub c d o ma n s o ng by V to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H . M c D o na l d . P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e y
C o f i t, a nd d o ubts the o the r ha l f D W he n a f o o C l i s h pe r s o n he a rs 1 8 D o f the Ta o C he l a ug hs o ut l o ud a t the ve ry D i d e a I f he C d i d n t l a ug h, i t 2 2 wo ul d n t be the Ta o D T hus i t i s s a i d C T he 2 6 bri g ht D ne s s o f the Ta o C s e e ms l i ke d a rk D ne s s , the a d 3 1 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & ## ∑ ∑ & ## ∑ & ## 3 & ## & ∑ ∑ & Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™
œ œnœ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j
Ta o S o n g 4 1
œ œ ™ œ œ œ
41
D C D
W he n a s u pe ri o r pe r C s o n he a rs o f
va nc e me nt o f the Ta o C s e e ms l i ke D re tre a t, the l e C ve l pa th s e e ms ro ug h, 3 5
T he vi r tue o f c a u C ti o n s e e ms l i ke c o wa r D d i c e 5 1 D the pure s e e ms C to be po l l u te d , D the true s q ua re s e e ms 5 7 C to ha ve no c o r ne rs , D the be s t ve s s e l s ta ke C the mo s t ti me 6 2 D to f i ni s h the g re a t C e s t s o und s c a n no t be D he a rd 6 7 C a nd the g re a t e s t i ma g e ha s no f o rm D T he Ta o C hi d e s i n the un na me d , D Ye t 7 1 i t a l o ne no ur i s h e s a nd C c o m pl e te s a l l D thi ng s . 7 5 & ## & ## & ##
##
D
œ< n> œ œ œ œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ
D C
∑ ∑ ∑ & ## ∑ ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ & & &
##
∑ ∑ ∑ 3
œ Œ Œ ™ œ j œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ ™ œ j œ j œ ™ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ j œ ™ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ ™ œ j œ œ ™ œnœ ™ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œnœ ™ œ j œ ™
##
2
œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ n˙ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ j œ œ œ
the s u pe ri o r pa th s e e m e mp ty, D the pure C s e e ms to be ta r ni s he d , 4 0 D a nd true C vi r tue d o e s n t s e e m to be e D no ug h C4 4
##
##
œ Œ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ
Ó ‰ œ j œ œ bœ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ bœ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ J œ œ J œ bœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ J œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ j œ ™ bœ œ œ w œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ Œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
What others teach I too will teach: “The strong and violent will not die a natural death.”
Ó
42
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H . M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
T he Ta o g a ve bi rth to O ne T he O ne g a ve bi rth to Two T he
œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ J œ œ J œ j œ œ j
mo C ny P e o pl e d e s pi s e C 7 be i ng o r pha ne d , wi d o we d a nd po o r B ut the no 1 3 bl e F o ne s ta ke the s e a s the i r ti tl e s I n l o B ¨ s i ng , muc h i s g a i ne d , a nd i n 1 7 g a i n F i ng , muc h i s l o s t. C D ‹ W ha t o the rs te a c h I to o wi l l 2 1 te a c h: " T he s tro ng a nd vi o l e nt wi l l no t d i e a na tu ra l d e a th " C2 7 & 3 3 & 3 3 3 & & ∑ ∑ 3 3 Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ œ j
∑ &
D ‹
Two g a ve bi rth to T hre e . T he T hre e g a ve bi rth to a l l o f c re a C ti o n. 5 Al l D ‹ thi ng s c a r ry Yi n ye t e m bra c e Ya ng T he y bl e nd the i r l i f e bre a ths i n o r d e r to pro d uc e ha r 9
q = 11 8
j
œ
The Tao gave birth to One. The One gave birth to Two. The Two gave birth to Three. The Three gave birth to all of creation. All things carry Yin yet embrace Yang. They blend their life breaths in order to produce harmony. People despise being orphaned, widowed and poor. But the noble ones take these as their titles. In losing, much is gained, and in gaining, much is lost.
4 &4 ∑ 3 3 Ta o S o n g 4 2 & 3 3 ∑
œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
œ œ œ œ œ Œ
G
T ha t whi c h o f f e rs no re s i s ta nc e ,
q = 5 2
C o ve r c o me s the ha rd e s t s ub D s ta n c e s D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) G T ha t whi c h o f f e rs no re s i s ta nc e , 7
6 8
& ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 4 3
& 3 & & 3 & ∑ ∑ ∑ Œ œ œ œ
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na . P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
C c a n e n te r whe re the re i s no D s pa c e D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) F e w G i n the wo rl d c a n c o m pre he nd the 11 te a C c hi ng wi th o ut wo rd s D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) G o r un d e r s ta nd the 1 5 va C l ue o f no n a c D G ti o n 1 9 3 8 6 8
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J ‰ ‰ Œ ≈ œ r œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ Œ œ J œ œ œ Œ ™ Œ ≈ œ r œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ#œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™
Few in the world can comprehend the teaching without words, or understand the value of non-action.
43
That which offers no resistance, overcomes the hardest substances.
That which offers no resistance can enter where there is no space.
W hi c h A i s mo re i m po r ta nt, yo ur ho no r o r yo ur l i f e ? E W hi c h A i s mo re va l ua bl e , F © ‹ yo ur po s s e s D s i o ns o r yo ur pe r s o n? E8 W hi c h A i s mo re d e s truc ti ve F © ‹ D s uc c e s s o r f a i l E ure ? B e c a us e A o f thi s , g re a t l o ve 1 3 F © ‹ e x tra c ts D a g re a t c o s t E µ a nd true we a l th re q ui re s g re a 1 8 A te -r l o s s F © ‹ D E A F © ‹ D E2 4
4 &4 ### ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ 3 Ta o S o n g 4 4 & ###
###
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
### 3
### ∑ 3
###
Which is more important, your honor or your life?
###
Which is more valuable, your possessions or your person?
Which is more destructive, success or failure?
Because of this, great love extracts a great cost and true wealth requires greater loss.
™ ™ A F © ‹ D E
œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ Œ w
Œ œ œ œ Œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ
œ œ
q = 1 5 4
### 3 3
Knowing when you have enough avoids dishonor, and knowing when to stop will keep you from danger and bring you a long, happy life.
K no A wi ng whe n yo u ha ve e no ug h F © ‹ D a vo i d s d i s ho E no r, a nd 3 2 kno A wi ng whe n to s to p F © ‹ wi l l ke e p yo u D f ro m d a n E g e r 3 6 n. c a nd bri ng yo u a l o ng ha p py l i f e A F © ‹4 1 D E A F © ‹ D E A4 5 & & & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & & & & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j ˙ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w œ œ œ œ
44
F © ‹ D
###
8
T he g re a t e s t a c c o m pl i s h me nts s e e m G i m pe r f e c t ye t the i r F us e f ul ne s s C F C i s no t F d i mi 1 4 ni s he d . A ‹ T he g re a t e s t f ul l ne s s G s e e ms e mp 1 9 ty, ye t F i t wi l l be C F C i n e x ha us A ‹ ti bl e 2 4 G F C F C F A ‹3 0
That which is pure and still is the universal ideal.
Movement overcomes the cold, and stillness overcomes the heat.
The greatest fullness seems empty, yet it will be inexhaustible.
P ub c d o ma n s o ng by V to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e y
4 4 2 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 4 5 & ∑ ∑ ∑ & 3 3 3 & ∑ & ∑ 3 & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j ˙ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ w Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ J œ œ J ˙ Ó Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó
The greatest accomplishments seem imperfect, yet their usefulness is not diminished.
45
A ‹ G F C F C F q = 1 2 4 A ‹
The greatest straightness seems crooked. The most valued skill seems like clumsiness. The greatest speech seems full of stammers.
∑
T he g re a t e s t s tra i g ht ne s s G s e e ms A ‹ c ro o ke d . 3 9 D ‹
T he mo s t va l ue d G s ki l l s e e ms l i ke A ‹ c l um s i ne s s D ‹ T he g re a t e s t 4 4 s pe e c h G s e e ms f ul l o f A ‹ s ta m me rs G4 9 F C F C F5 6 M o ve A ‹ me nt o ve r c o me s the c o l d , a nd s ti l l G ne s s o ve r c o me s the he a t 6 3 T ha t F whi c h i s pure C a nd s ti l l F C i s the u F ni ve r A ‹ s a l E ‹ i d e a l A ‹6 7 & & 3 & &
3 ∑ U Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ ™ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j ˙ Ó Ó Ó Ó œ œ œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ ™ ‰ 2
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ &
∑
2 4 4 4
D ‹
There is no greater transgression than condoning people’s selfish desires, no greater disaster than being discontent, and no greater retribution than for greed. Whoever knows contentment will be at peace forever.
46
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E ‹
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ 3 3
3
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ U Œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ R œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ™ œ J œ J œ œ j œ j œ ™ ˙ Œ ™ œ J œ ™ œ ˙ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ ˙ Œ ™ œ J œ ™ œ j œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ Ó Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ J œ œ J œ J œ ™ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ J œ œ ˙ ™ ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ ˙ œ J œ ™ œ œ œ ˙ ™
W he n the wo rl d f o l l o ws the Ta o , ho r s e s run f re e D ‹ to f e r ti l i z e the f i e l d s E ‹ D ‹ W he n the wo rl d d o e s no t 8 f o l l o w the Ta o , E ‹ wa r ho r s e s a re bre d D ‹ o ut 1 4 ™ ™ ™ ™ s i d e the c i ti e s E ‹ D ‹ E ‹1 8 ™ ™ ™ ™ F Œ„ Š7 C G D ‹ T he re F Œ„ Š7 i s no g re a te r tra ns C g re s s i o n tha n c o n 1 . 2 .2 5 d o n G i ng pe o pl e ' s s e l f i s h d e s i re s , D ‹ F Œ„ Š7 no g re a te r C d i s a s te r tha n be G i ng d i s c o n te nt, 3 2 a nd no F Œ„ Š7 g re a te r re tri bu C ti o n tha n f o r G g re e d W ho e 3 7 F ve r kno ws c o n te nt me nt C wi l l be a t pe a c e G f o r 4 2 C e ve r 4 5 & & 3 & & & & & &
∑ S O L O ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
When the world follows the Tao, horses run free to fertilize the fields. When the world does not follow the Tao, war horses are bred outside the cities.
q = 1 0 8
D ‹ E ‹ D ‹
4 &4 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 4 6
∑
M a s te r un d e r s ta nd s wi th o ut l e a v C i ng , 5 8 C s e e s c l e a r l y wi th o ut l o o k i ng D ‹7 a c c o m pl i s h e s muc h wi th o ut 6 5 d o i ng G a ny thi ng C7 1 & & & & & j ‰ œ j œ
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
4 &4 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 4 7
∑ ∑
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
the l e s s D ‹7 yo u wi l l un d e r s ta nd G T he 5 2
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ó Œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ
Without opening your door, you can know the whole world. Without looking out your window, you can understand the way of the Tao. The more knowledge you seek, the less you will understand.
œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ w Ó Œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ œ w œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w Œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ ˙ ™ Œ ˙ ™ ˙ ™ œ w ˙ ™ œ œ œ ˙ ™
Wi th o ut o C pe n i ng yo ur d o o r, 1 2 yo u c a n D ‹7 kno w the who l e wo rl d Wi th o ut l o o k G i ng o ut yo ur 2 0 wi n d o w C yo u c a n un d e r s ta nd the wa y o f the Ta o . 2 7 C D ‹7 G3 3 C C T he mo re kno w l e d g e yo u s e e k 4 4
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P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y C
C D ‹7 G q = 1 2 8
œ ™ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ ˙ ™ w ‰ œ j œ ˙ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ œ ™ œ J œ J œ ™ œ ˙ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ ™ œ ˙ ™
The Master understands without leaving, sees clearly without looking, accomplishes much without doing anything.
na tu ra l c o urs e Yo u c a n no t ma s te r the wo rl d by 2 2 c ha ng i ng the na tu ra l wa y 2 7 &4 bbbbbb & bbbbbb
q = 9 6
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
One who seeks knowledge learns something new every day. One who seeks the Tao unlearns something new every day. Less and less remains until you arrive at non-action. When you arrive at non-action, nothing will be left undone.
W he n yo u a r ri ve a t no n a c ti o n no th i ng wi l l be l e f t un d o ne 1 3
M a s te ry o f the wo rl d i s a c hi e ve d by l e t ti ng thi ng s ta ke the i r 1 8
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∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 4 8
j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ˙ ™ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
4
µ
O ne who s e e ks the Ta o un l e a rns s o me thi ng ne w e ve ry d a y L e s s a nd l e s s re ma i ns 5 un ti l yo u a r ri ve a t no n a c ti o n 8
O ne who s e e ks kno w l e d g e l e a rns s o me thi ng ne w e ve ry d a y
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
& bbbbbb
∑ ∑ & bbbbbb ∑ & bbbbbb ∑ & bbbbbb ∑ ∑ & bbbbbb
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ j œ œ j œ
Mastery of the world is achieved by letting things take their natural course. You can not master the world by changing the natural way.
The Master’s mind is shut off from the world. Only for the sake of the people does she muddle her mind. They look to her in anticipation. Yet she treats them all as her children.
4 4 2 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 & ∑ Ta o S o n g 4 9
T he M a s te -r ha s no mi nd o f he r o wn S he un F d e -r s ta nd -s the mi nd o f the pe o G pl e T ho s e who a re g o o d s he tre a ts a s g o o d T ho s e F who a re n t g o o d s he a l s o 5 tre a ts G a s g o o d T hi s E ‹ i s ho w s he a t ta i ns true F g o o d ne s s C9 G S he trus ts pe o pl e who a re trus t wo r thy S he a l F s o trus ts pe o pl e who a re n' t 1 4 trus t G wo rt hy T hi s E ‹ i s ho w s he g a i ns true F trus t C T he 1 7
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M a s te r s mi nd i s s hut o f f f ro m the wo rl d O n F l y f o r the s a ke o f the pe o G pl e d o e s s he mud d l e he r 2 3 mi nd T he y E ‹ l o o k to he r i n a n ti F c i pa ti o n C2 6 Ye t E ‹ s he tre a ts the m a l l a s he r c hi l F d re n C3 0 & & & & & & &
∑
This is how she attains true goodness.
∑
G
She trusts people who are trustworthy. She also trusts people who aren’t trustworthy. This is how she gains true trust.
q = 7 4
Those who are good she treats as good. Those who aren’t good she also treats as good.
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
The Master has no mind of her own. She understands the mind of the people.
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ Œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ r œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
∑
3
Those who leave the womb at birth and those who enter their source at death, of these; three out of ten celebrate life, three out of ten celebrate death, and three out of ten simply go from life to death. What is the reason for this? Because they are afraid of dying, therefore they can not live.
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
™ ™ ™ ™ A ‹ G A ‹ G A ‹ G A ‹ G I ha ve he a rd 1 21 4 F Œ„ Š7
A ‹
When they go into battle, they remain unharmed. The animals find no place to attack them and the weapons are unable to harm them.
∑ ∑ Ó Ó Ó Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ˙ Ó Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó Ó Ó Ó
50
T ho s e who l e a ve the wo mb a t bi rth a nd tho s e A ‹ who e n te r the i r s o urc e a t d e a th, G o f the s e ; thre e A ‹ o ut o f te n c e G l e bra te l i f e , thre e A ‹ o ut o f te n c e G l e bra te d e a th, 4 A ‹ G A ‹ G a nd thre e A ‹ o ut o f te n s i m pl y G g o A ‹ f ro m l i f e to G d e a th 7 W ha t A ‹ i s the re a s o n f o r thi s ? G B e c a us e A ‹ the y a re a f ra i d o f d y G i ng , the re A ‹ f o re the y c a n no t G l i ve 11
Why? Because they can find no place for death in them.
G
I have heard that those who celebrate life walk safely among the wild animals.
tha t tho s e who c e l e bra te l i f e C wa l k s a f e F Œ„ Š7 l y a mo ng the wi l d a ni C ma l s W he n 1 8 the y F Œ„ Š7 g o i n to ba t tl e the y re ma i n C un ha rme d T he a F Œ„ Š7 ni ma l s f i nd no pl a c e to a t ta c k C the m a nd the 2 0 we a F Œ„ Š7 po ns a re un a bl e to ha rm C the m W hy? B e c a us e the y F Œ„ Š7 c a n f i nd no pl a c e f o r d e a th C i n the m 2 2
4 &4 Ta o S o n g 5 0
q = 7 6
™ ™ A ‹ G A ‹ G
™ ™ ™ ™ A ‹ G A ‹ G A ‹2 4 & 3 & & & & & & &
E ‹ T he Ta o G g i ve s bi rth to a l l o f c re C a ti o n D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) T he vi r G tue o f Ta o i n na = 1 2 2 ture C nur ture s D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) the m, a nd the i r f a C mi l i e s g i ve the m the i r f o rm D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) T he i r e n 7 vi C ro n me nt the n s ha pe s the m i n D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 to c o m pl e ti o n C T ha t i s why e ve ry c re a ture 1 2 ho D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) no rs the Ta o a nd i ts vi r G tue µ No E ‹ o ne te l l s the m to ho no r the Ta o a nd i ts 1 5 vi r tue , i t ha p C pe ns a l l by i t s e l f S o the Ta o g i ve s the m bi rth a nd i ts vi r tue 2 1 c ul G ti va te s the m, c a re s D f o r the m, nur ture s C the m g i ve s the m a pl a c e G o f re f ug e a nd 2 6 D pe a c e he l ps the m to g ro w C a nd s he l te rs the m. I t G g i ve s the m l i f e wi th o ut 3 1 wa n C ti ng to po s D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) s e s the m, a nd c a re s G f o r the m e x pe c ti ng no th C i ng i n re 3 6 turn D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 )
‰ œ j
J
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J
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
I t i s the i r ma s C te r but i t d o e s no t D s e e k C to d o mi na te the m 4 1 D
T hi s C i s c a l l e d the d a rk D a nd my s -te -ri o -us vi r -tue 4 6 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ ‰ œ œ j œ œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ œ j œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ J œ ‰ œ J œ œ Ó Ó œ œ œ œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ ™ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó
G
The Tao gives birth to all of creation. The virtue of Tao in nature nurtures them, and their families give them their form. Their environment then shapes them into completion. That is why every creature honors the Tao and its virtue.
It gives them life without wanting to posses them, and cares for them expecting nothing in return. It is their master, but it does not seek to dominate them. This is called the dark and mysterious virtue.
4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 4 4 & # 3 3 Ta o S o n g 5 1 & # 3 3 & # 3 3 & # ∑ 3 & # & # 3 3 & # 3 3 ∑ 3 33 & # 3 3 & # 3 33 & # ∑ 3 Ó Œ ‰ œ j
No one tells them to honor the Tao and its virtue, it happens all by itself. So the Tao gives them birth, and its virtue cultivates them, cares for them, nurtures them, gives them a place of refuge and peace, helps them to grow and shelters them.
q
T he wo rl d ha d a be g i n ni ng whi c h we c a l l the G re a t M o the r O nc e we ha ve f o und D ‹ the M o the r we be g i n to kno w E ‹ wha t H e r c hi l d re n s ho ul d be W he n we 5 kno w F Œ„ Š7 we a re the M o the r' s c hi l d , C we be g i n to g ua rd F Œ„ Š7 the q ua l i ti e s o f the M o the r C i n us S he 7 ™ ™ ™ ™ wi l l F Œ„ Š7 pro te c t us f ro m a l l d a n C g e r e F Œ„ Š7 ve n i f we l o s e o ur l i f e C C /B D ‹ E ‹9
E ‹
r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ j Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ Ó
To understand the small is called clarity. Knowing how to yield is called strength. To use your inner light for understanding regardless of the danger is called depending on the Constant.
∑ Ta o S o n g 5 2
q = 7 8
The world had a beginning which we call the Great Mother. Once we have found the Mother, we begin to know what Her children should be. When we know we are the Mother’s child, we begin to guard the qualities of the Mother in us. She will protect us from all danger even if we lose our life. Keep your mouth closed and embrace a simple life, and you will live care-free until the end of your days. If you try to talk your way into a better life there will be no end to your trouble.
3 3
S o l o ∑ ∑
& ∑ S o l o ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ U Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ ™ œ r œ ™ œ œ œ ™ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™
D ‹
K e e p D ‹ yo ur mo uth c l o s e d a nd e m bra c e a s i m E ‹ pl e l i f e a nd yo u wi l l l i ve D ‹ c a re f re e un ti l the e nd o f yo ur d a ys 1 3 E ‹ I f yo u try D ‹ to ta l k yo ur wa y i n to a be t E ‹ te r l i f e the re wi l l D ‹ be no e nd to yo ur tro u 1 6 bl e E ‹ To un F Œ„ Š7 d e r s ta nd the s ma l l i s c a l l e d C F Œ„ Š7 c l a ri ty C K no F Œ„ Š7 wi ng ho w to yi e l d i s c a l l e d C2 0 F Œ„ Š7 s tre ng th C To us e F Œ„ Š7 yo ur i n ne r l i g ht f o r un d e r s ta n C d i ng F Œ„ Š7 re g a rd l e s s o f the d a n C g e r 2 4 ™ ™ ™ ™ F Œ„ Š7 i s c a l l e d d e pe n C d i ng F Œ„ Š7 o n the C o n C s ta nt D ‹ E ‹ D ‹ E ‹ E ‹1 22 7 2 4 & & & & & & & & œ r œ œ œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ≈ œ r œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ ™ œ
4 4
D ‹ E ‹
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P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H . M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
To we a r f a n G c y c l o the s F Œ„ Š7 a nd o r na C me nts , to ha ve yo ur f i l l G o f f o o d a nd d ri nk F Œ„ Š7 C a nd to 3 5 wa s te a l l o f yo ur mo G ne y buy F Œ„ Š7 i ng po s s e s C s i o ns i s c a l l e d the c ri me G o f e x F Œ„ Š7 c e s s O h, C ho w G the s e thi ng s 3 9 ™ ™ ™ ™ F Œ„ Š7 C g o a g a i ns t the wa y F Œ„ Š7 o f the Ta o ! C A ‹ E ‹ F C C G C4 4 &4 & & & S o l o & 3 3 & S o l o ∑ & & & S o l o ∑ ∑
Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó
œ
œ œ ‰ œ J œ J œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ Œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ ™ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ J œ ™ œ ™ œ j ˙ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ J œ œ J œ œ œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ ‰ œ j
‰ œ
I f to o muc h ti me G i s s pe nt F Œ„ Š7 c l e a n i ng the ho us e C1 9 the l a nd wi l l be c o me G ne g l e c te d F Œ„ Š7 a nd f ul l o f we e d s , C a nd the g ra na ri e s wi l l s o o n G be c o me e mp F Œ„ Š7 ty C be 2 5
If too much time is spent cleaning the house the land will become neglected and full of weeds, and the granaries will soon become empty because there is no one out working the fields. To wear fancy clothes and ornaments, to have your fill of food and drink and to waste all of your money buying possessions is called the crime of excess. Oh, how these things go against the way of the Tao!
If I understood only one thing, I would want to use it to follow the Tao. My only fear would be one of pride. The Tao goes in the level places, but people prefer to take the short cuts.
S o l o Ta o S o n g 5 3
Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
™ Ó
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó J J J œ œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ ˙ œ J œ œ J Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Ó
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
I f I un d e r s to o d o n l y o ne thi ng , F Œ„ Š7 I C wo ul d wa nt to us e i t to G f o l l o w the Ta o F Œ„ Š7 C M y o n l y f e a r wo ul d be G o ne o f pri d e F Œ„ Š7 C T he 8 Ta o g o e s i n the G l e ve l pl a F Œ„ Š7 c e s , C but pe o pl e F Œ„ Š7 pre f e r C to ta ke F Œ„ Š7 the s ho rt C c uts 1 3 ™ ™ ™ ™
Ó
53
™ ™
P ub i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H . M c D o na l d . P l e a s e c o py, d s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e y
4
œ ™ œ œ œ œ
œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ
™ ™ ™ ™ c a us e the re i s no F Œ„ Š7 o ne o ut wo r ki ng C the f i e l d s A ‹ E ‹ F Œ„ Š7 C C G C2 9
q = 1 3 0
œ
œ
A ‹ E ‹ F Œ„ Š7 C C G C
A ‹ E ‹ F Œ„ Š7 C A ‹ E ‹ F Œ„ Š7 C G C
G
™
T ha t whi c h i s we l l bui l t wi l l ne ve r be to rn d o wn T ha t whi c h = 1 2 4 i s F Œ„ Š7 we l l l a tc he d c a n no t s l i p a wa y C T ho s e C /B who d o thi ng s we l l A ‹ wi l l be ho 7 no re d f ro m g e E ne ra ti o n to g e ne ra ti o n I f thi s i d e a F i s c ul G ti va te d 1 0 i n A ‹ the i n d -i -vi d -u a -l the n hi s vi r F -tue wi l l be c o me G - g e -nu i ne A ‹ - I f thi s i1 4 d e a F i s c ul G ti va te d i n A ‹ yo ur f a mi l y, the n vi r F tue i n yo ur f a G mi l y wi l l be 1 7 g re a t A ‹ I f thi s i d e a F i s c ul G ti va te d i n A ‹ yo ur c o m mu ni ty, the n 2 0 ∑ ∑ ∑ & & 3 & 3 & & 3 Ó Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ
Š7
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™
4 &4
Then observe the person for what the person does, and observe the family for what it does, and observe the community for what it does, and observe the country for what it does, and observe the world for what it does. How do I know this saying is true? I observe these things and see.
A ‹
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
If this idea is cultivated in your country, then virtue will be in many places. If this idea is cultivated in the world, then virtue will be with everyone.
/B
q
Ta o S o n g 5 4
E
That which is well built will never be torn down. That which is well latched can not slip away. Those who do things well will be honored from generation to generation.
If this idea is cultivated in the individual, then his virtue will become genuine.
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y E F Œ„ C C A
If this idea is cultivated in your family, then virtue in your family will be great. If this idea is cultivated in your community, then virtue will go a long way.
‹
54
T he n o b s e rve the pe r s o n f o r wha t E the pe r s o n d o e s a nd o b s e rve F Œ„ Š7 the f a mi l y f o r wha t i t d o e s 3 4
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó
œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ
i n A ‹ yo ur c o un try the n vi r F tue wi l l be i n G ma ny pl a A ‹ c e s I f thi s i d e a F i s c ul G ti va te d 2 6
a nd A ‹ o b s e rve the wo rl d f o r wha t i t d o e s . E H o w d o F I kno w thi s s a yi ng i s 4 1
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™
2
œ ™ œ j ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ j œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ ˙ ™
true ? C I o b s e rve A ‹ the s e thi ng s E a nd A ‹ s e e 4 5 & 3 & 3 & ∑ & & & & ∑
vi r F tue wi l l g o a G l o ng wa y. A ‹ I f thi s i d e a F i s c ul G ti va te d 2 3
œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™
‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
C a nd C /B o b s e rve the c o m A ‹ mu ni ty f o r wha t i t d o e s a nd o b s e rve the c o un E try f o r wha t i t d o e s , 3 7
i n A ‹ the wo rl d , the n vi r F tue wi l l be wi th G e ve ry o ne A ‹3 0 A ‹
q = 9 0
& # & #
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ub i c d o ma n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y.
G
ye t hi s pe ni s c a n s ta nd C e re c t be D c a us e o f the po we r C1 9 D o f l i f e wi th i n C hi m µ I t E ‹ c a n c ry a l l d a y G a nd ne D ve r be c o me ho a rs e C2 3 4 4 2 4 # ∑ ∑ & & & ∑ ∑ ∑ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ≈ œ
#
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™
Ó Ó Ó Ó ‰ œ j œ œ j œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ ‰ œ
D a nd s tro ng C I t E ‹ d o e s n t kno w G a bo ut D the u ni o n C E ‹ o f ma l e a nd G f e ma l e , D1 4
C
I ts bo ne s a re G s o f t, D i ts mus c l e s a re C we a k E ‹ but i ts g ri p G i s f i rm 9
To understand harmony is to understand the Constant. To know the Constant is to be called ‘enlightened’.
i n E ‹ f a nt i s pro te c G te d f ro m D C the s ti ng E ‹ i ng i n s e c ts wi l d G be a s ts , a nd bi rd s D o f pre y C5 E ‹ G D C E ‹
&
Ta o S o n g 5 5
#
#
E ‹
One who is filled with the Tao is like a newborn child.
The infant is protected from the stinging insects, wild beasts, and birds of prey. Its bones are soft, its muscles are weak, but its grip is firm and strong. It doesn’t know about the union of male and female, yet his penis can stand erect, because of the power of life within him. It can cry all day and never become hoarse. This is perfect harmony.
D
To unnaturally try to extend life is not appropriate. To try and alter the life-breath is unnatural.
55
O ne who i s f i l l e d wi th the Ta o i s l i ke a ne w bo rn c hi l d . T he
r
j ‰ œ j ‰ œ j ‰ œ j œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ Œ
The master understands that when something reaches its prime it will soon begin to decline. Changing the natural is against the way of the Tao. Those who do it will come to an early end.
œ ‰ ‰ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ
& # & # & # & # & # & # & # ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ R œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó 2
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
T hi s i s pe r f e c t ha r G mo ny D C To un E ‹ d e r s ta nd ha r mo ny G i s to 2 8 un D d e r s ta nd the C o n C s ta nt To kno w E ‹ the C o n s ta nt G i s to be D c a l l e d e n l i g h C te ne d ' To 3 1 un E ‹ na tu ra l l y try to e x te nd G l i f e D i s no t a p pro C pri a te To try E ‹ a nd a l te r the l i f e G bre a th 3 4 D i s un na C tu ra l µ T he ma s E ‹ te r un d e r s ta nd s G tha t whe n s o me 3 7 D thi ng re a c he s i ts C pri me i t E ‹ wi l l s o o n be G g i n D to d e c l i ne C C ha ng E ‹ i ng the na tu ra l i s G a 4 1 g a i ns t D the wa y o f the C Ta o . T ho s e E ‹ who d o i t wi l l G c o me to a n e a r D4 5 l y C e nd G4 8 2 4 4 4
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
‹ C D G
T ho s e E ‹ who kno w C D d o no t ta l k G T ho s e E ‹ who ta l k d o no t kno w
6 8 3 8 6 8 3 8
3 8
# & # ∑ & # & # & # ∑ Œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ J œ œ ‰ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ Œ ™ œ ™ œ œ J Œ ≈ œ R œ J ‰ ≈ œ r œ œ œ ™ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ j ‰ ≈ œ r œ j ‰ ‰ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ J œ œ ™ Œ ™ ‰ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™
C D
s te D ri o us i d e n ti G ty c a n E ‹ no t C be D a p pro a c he d , G a nd the y E ‹ c a n no t be C2 0 a D l -i -e -na te d G - T he y E ‹ c a n no t be C be -ne f i D - te -d no r ha rme d G T he y E ‹ c a n no t be C ma d e 2 6 D no bl e G no r to s uf f e r d i s g ra c e T hi s E ‹ ma ke s the m C3 0 D G the mo s t no E ‹ bl e o f a l l C D un d e r the he a G ve ns 3 4 3 8 6 8 3 8 6 8 8 8 &
D o E ‹ i ng thi s i s c a l l e d the d a rk C a nd my s te D ri o us i d e n G ti ty T ho s e E ‹ who ha ve a c hi e ve d C the my 1 7
& # Ta o S o n g 5 6 & # 3 & # ∑
3
56
E
S to p E ‹ ta l k i ng , C me D d i ta te i n s i G l e nc e bl unt E ‹ yo ur s ha rp ne s s , C D re l e a s e yo ur wo r ri e s , G7 ha r E ‹ mo ni z e C yo ur D i n ne r l i g ht, G E ‹ a nd be c o me C o ne D wi th the d us t G1 2
6
G q = 4 8
Those who know do not talk. Those who talk do not know. Stop harmonizebluntmeditatetalking,insilence,yoursharpness,releaseyourworries,yourinner light, and become one with the dust. Doing this is the called the dark and mysterious identity. Those who have achieved the mysterious identity can not be approached, and they can not be alienated. They can not be benefited nor harmed. They can not be made noble nor to suffer disgrace. This makes them the most noble of all under the heavens.
q = 1 2 0
œ j œ œ j œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ ‰ ™ œ r œ j œ j j œ j œ œ j j j j j Œ j œ ‰ j ‰ j j j
œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ ™ œ
œ
G by no t d o A ‹ i ng . H o w d o F Œ„ Š7 I kno w the wa y thi ng s a re ? B y the s e : 1 0
œ œ
By Thethese:more prohibitions you make, the poorer people will be.
Therefore the Master says: I do nothing, and people become good by themselves. I seek peace, and people take care of their own problems.
po s C s e s s , the g re a G te r the c ha o s i n yo ur A ‹ c o un try. F Œ„ Š7 C T he mo re kno w l e d g e tha t i s 1 7 a c G q ui re d , the s tra n A ‹ g e r the wo rl d wi l l be c o me F Œ„ Š7 T he mo re l a ws tha t yo u C ma ke , the 2 2 & & 3 & & ∑ &
G g ri ty We a A ‹ po ns o f wa r c a n be us e d F Œ„ Š7 wi th g re a t c un ni ng but l o C ya l ty i s o n l y wo n 6
Govern your country with integrity, Weapons of war can be used with great cunning, but loyalty is only won by not-doing. How do I know the way things are?
57
™ œ œ œ œ ™ œ
œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ
œ
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a t o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
I do not meddle in their personal lives, and the people become prosperous. I let go of all my desires, and the people return to the Uncarved Block.
œ œ
C
œ
œ
G o ve rn yo ur c o un try wi th i n te
œ
The more weapons you possess, the greater the chaos in your country. The more knowledge that is acquired, the stranger the world will become. The more laws that you make, the greater the number of criminals.
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ ™ Œ ™ œ
‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ ™ œ
œ œ
™ ™ C G A ‹ F Œ„ Š7
C T he mo re pro hi bi ti o ns G yo u ma ke , the po o r A ‹ e r pe o pl e wi l l be F Œ„ Š7 T he mo re we a po ns yo u 1 3
4 &4 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 5 7
œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ
I E ‹ d o no th A ‹ i ng , a nd pe o E ‹ pl e be c o me g o o d by the m A ‹ s e l ve s 2 9
C I d o no t me d d l e i n the i r pe r G s o na l l i ve s a nd the pe o A ‹ pl e be c o me pro s 4 1 pe F Œ„ Š7 ro us I l e t g o o f a l l C my d e s i re s G a nd the pe o pl e re turn 4 4 A ‹ F Œ„ Š7 to the Un c a rve d C B l o c k 4 7 & & & & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & 3 3 & & ∑ ∑ ∑
œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ j œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ w œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙
Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ J œ J œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
I E ‹ s e e k A ‹ pe a c e , a nd pe o E ‹ pl e ta ke c a re o f the i r o wn 3 3 ™ ™ ™ ™ A ‹ pro bl e ms C G A ‹ F Œ„ Š73 6
œ
™ 2
g re a G te r the num be r o f c ri A ‹ mi na l s T he re F Œ„ Š7 f o re the M a s te r s a ys 2 6
Good things seem to change into bad, and bad things often turn out for good.
58
Who knows why these things happen, or when this cycle will end?
4 4 2 4 4 4 4 4 & # ∑ ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 5 8
Good fortune has its roots in disaster, and disaster lurks with good fortune.
If a government is repressive, the people become treacherous.
3
q = 8 0
# 3 & # 3 Ó Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ J œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ nœ ™ ≈ œ ™ j œ ™ œ œ nœ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ ™ œ œ J œ œ J œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
If a government is unobtrusive, the people become whole.
E ‹
P ub i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
She is probing yet causes no harm.
E
These things have always been hard to comprehend.
#
‹ A ‹ E ‹ B 7 µ
T he s e thi ng s ha ve a l wa ys be e n ha rd E ‹ to c o m pre 1 8 he nd . A ‹ E ‹ T hus the M a s te r ma ke s thi ng s c ha ng e wi th A ‹ o ut i n te r f e ri ng S he i s 2 1 pro E ‹ bi ng ye t c a u s e s no ha rm B 7 µ S tra i g ht f o r E ‹ wa rd ye t d o e s A ‹ no t i m po s e he r wi l l r i t . 2 4 R a E d i a nt a nd e a A s y o n C the e ye . E2 8 & & # & # & # & # & # & Œ
Thus the Master makes things change without interfering.
Straightforward, yet does not impose her will. Radiant, and easy on the eye.
#œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ œ j œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ n˙ ™ œ œ œ œ œ#œ œ Ó
I f a g o ve rn me nt i s un o b tru s i ve , the pe o A ‹ pl e be c o me who l e . I f a g o E ‹ ve rn me nt i s re pre s s i ve , the pe o B 7 pl e be c o me tre a c he ro us . G o o d 6 f o r E ‹ tune ha s i ts ro o ts A ‹ i n d i s a s te r a nd d i s E ‹ a s te r l urks wi th g o o d f o r 9 tune B 7 µ W ho kno ws why D ‹ the s e thi ng s ha p pe n, o r whe n E ‹ thi s c y c l e wi l l e nd ? A ‹1 2 G o o d D ‹ thi ng s s e e m to c ha ng e i n to ba d , E ‹ A ‹ a nd ba d D ‹ thi ng s o f te n turn o ut f o r g o o d . 1 5 E ‹ A ‹ D ‹
Where there is limitless ability, then the kingdom is within your grasp.
G
When you know the Mother of the kingdom, then you will be long enduring.
te a c hi ng pe o pl e o r s e r D vi ng H e a ve n T ho s e G who us e mo d e ra C ti o n G a re a l 7 re a D d y o n the pa th C to G the Ta o T ho s e who f o l l o w the 11 Ta o C e a r l y G wi l l ha ve a n a bun d a nc e o f vi r D tue W he n the re G i s a n a bun d a nc e o f C vi r tue , G the re i s 1 7 no th D i ng tha t c a n C no t be G d o ne W he re the re i s C l i mi t l e s s a bi 2 2 l i G ty C the n the ki ng d o m i s wi th i ng yo ur g ra s p G W he n yo u kno w the M o C the r o f the ki ng 2 8 G D d o m C the n D yo u wi l l be l o ng e n d u G ri ng 3 2
∑ ∑
∑ ∑ ∑
This is spoken of as the deep root and the firm trunk, the Way to a long life and great spiritual vision.
C
T hi s i s s po ke n o f a s C the d e e p ro o t G a nd the f i rm D trunk the 3 9 Wa y G to a l o ng C l i f e G a nd g re a t D s pi C ri tua l G vi s i o n. 4 4 & # & # & # & # & # &
T he re i s no th i ng be t te r tha n mo d e ra ti o n f o r
Those who follow the Tao early will have an abundance of virtue. When there is an abundance of virtue, there is nothing that can not be done.
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
G
q = 4 8
6 &8 # ∑ ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 5 9
59
# ∑ ∑ ∑ & # ∑ & # ∑ ∑ ∑ Œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ ≈ œ r œ œ ™ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ Œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ ≈ œ r œ œ J œ J ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ J ‰ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ Œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ Œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ™ ‰ ‰ ‰ ™ œ r œ ™ œ j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ Œ ™
There is nothing better than moderation for teaching people or serving Heaven. Those who use moderation are already on the path to the Tao.
Ó Ó Ó Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Œ œ œ œ J œ œ j œ œ
Governing a large country is like frying small fish. Too much poking spoils the meat.
G by i t A ‹ s e l f A ‹/G A ‹ E ‹ A ‹ A ‹/G A ‹ E ‹ A ‹3 5 & & & & & 3 & ∑
To o F Œ„ Š7 muc h po ki ng s po i l s D ‹9 the me a t A ‹ A ‹/G A ‹ E ‹ W he n the Ta o A ‹ i s us e d to g o A ‹/G ve rn the 7 wo rl d A ‹ the n e C vi l wi l l l o s e i ts po G we r F Œ„ Š7 to ha rm the pe o 1 2 D ‹9 pl e No t tha t e A ‹ vi l wi l l no l o n A ‹/G g e r e x A ‹ i s t, but o n l y c a us e i t ha s A ‹/G l o s t i ts po 1 6 A ‹ we r. J us t a s e F Œ„ Š7 vi l c a n l o s e i ts a bi C l i ty G to ha rm A ‹ the 2 0
G o A ‹ ve r ni ng a l a rg e A ‹/G c o un A ‹ try E ‹ i s l i ke f ry C i ng s ma l l f i s h = 1
G q
A ‹ A ‹/G A ‹ E ‹
3 0
When the Tao is used to govern the world then evil will lose its power to harm the people. Not that evil will no longer exist, but only because it has lost its power. Just as evil can lose its ability to harm, the Master shuns the use of violence.
If you give evil nothing to oppose, then virtue will return by itself.
4 &4 ∑ Ta o S o n g 6 0
œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Œ œ œ œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j Ó Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ ™ ˙ Ó Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó
M a s F Œ„ Š7 te r s huns the us e C G o f vi o A ‹ l e nc e I f yo u g i ve F Œ„ Š7 e vi l no th 2 5 C i ng G to o p po s e A ‹ the n vi r F Œ„ Š7 tue wi l l re turn 3 0
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P ub c d o ma n s o ng by V to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y ™ ™
&
œ J œ œ J œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ Ó Ó Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ J ˙ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ J œ œ J Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j
Large countries should desire to protect and help the people, and small countries should desire to serve others.
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P ub c d o ma n s o ng by V to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y ™ ™
Ta o S o n g 6 1
Both large and small countries benefit greatly from humility.
/B q
A ‹ G F Œ„ Š7 C C /B A ‹
If a large country takes the low position, it will be able to influence smaller countries. If smaller countries take the lower position, then they can allow themselves to be influenced. So both seek to take the lower position in order to influence the other, or be influenced.
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ J œ œ œ Œ
4
i n o r d e r to G i n f l u e nc e the o F Œ„ Š7 the r, o r be i n f l u C e nc e d C /B A ‹ G F Œ„ Š7 C C /B2 5 A ‹
L a rg e c o un tri e s s ho ul d G d e s i re to pro te c t F Œ„ Š7 a nd he l p the pe o C pl e , C /B A ‹ a nd s ma l l c o un G tri e s s ho ul d d e 2 9 s i re F Œ„ Š7 to s e rve o C the rs C /B A ‹ B o th l a rg e a nd s ma l l G c o un F Œ„ Š7 tri e s be ne f i t g re a t C l y C /B3 2 A ‹ G f ro m hu F Œ„ Š7 mi l i ty 3 5 &4 & & & & & & œ j œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ w Ó Ó Œ Œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ R œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ‰ œ J œ ™ œ œ ‰ ™ œ R œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ
Ó Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Ó
‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Ó Ó Ó Œ Œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó
A l a rg e c o un try s ho ul d ta ke G the l o w pl a c e F Œ„ Š7 l i ke a g re a t wa te r C s he d C = 8 2 A ‹ whi c h f ro m i ts l o w G po s i ti o n a s s ume s F Œ„ Š7 the f e ma l e ro l e C C /B A ‹ T he f e ma l e o ve r c o me s G the ma l e by the 5 po F Œ„ Š7 we r o f he r po s i C ti o n C /B A ‹ H e r tra n q ui G l i ty g i ve s ri s e F to he r hu mi l i ty 8 ™ ™ ™ ™ A ‹ G F Œ„ Š7 C C /B I f A ‹ a l a rg e c o un try ta ke s G the l o w po s i ti o n F Œ„ Š7 i t wi l l be C C /B1 3 A ‹ a bl e to i n G f l u e nc e s ma l F Œ„ Š7 l e r c o un tri e s C C /B A ‹ I f s ma l l e r c o un tri e s ta ke G the l o we r po s i ti o n, F Œ„ Š7 C C /B1 7 A ‹
& & & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ó Ó Ó Œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰
the n the y c a n G a l l o w the m s e l ve s F Œ„ Š7 to be i n f l u e nc e d A ‹ S o bo th s e e k G to ta ke F Œ„ Š7 the l o we r po s i C ti o n, C /B2 1 ™ ™ ™ ™ A ‹
A large country should take the low place like a great watershed, which from its low position assumes the female role. The female overcomes the male by the power of her position. Her tranquility gives rise to her humility.
Why was the Tao esteemed by the ancient Masters?
q = 1 0 0
Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Is it not said: “With it we find without looking. With it we find forgiveness for our transgressions.” That is why the world can not understand it.
a nd a pl a c e o f re f ug e D f o r tho s e G who a re no t A µ H o w c a n tho s e 1 2 G who a re no t g o o d be a ba n d o ne d ? D Wo rd s tha t a re be a u G ti f ul a re wo rth muc h, 1 7 D but g o o d be ha vi o r G c a n o n D l y be l e a rne d by e x a m pl e E ‹2 0 A
## & ##
œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ ™ œ œ
##
G
4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 & ##
œ J œ ™ Ó Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó œ œ ‰
P ub i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
& ##
œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ
Ta o S o n g 6 2
When a new leader takes office, don’t give him gifts and offerings. These things are not as valuable as teaching him about the Tao.
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##
T he Ta o i s the ta be r na c l e o f c re a
D
A ti o n i t i s a tre a D s ure f o r tho s e G who a re g o o d , A7
D B ‹ A
W he n a ne w G l e a d e r ta ke s o f D f i c e d o n t g i ve hi m G g i f ts a nd o f f e ri ng s 2 5 ∑ ∑ ∑ & & & ∑ ∑
The Tao is the tabernacle of creation, it is a treasure for those who are good, and a place of refuge for those who are not. How can those who are not good be abandoned? Words that are beautiful are worth much, but good behavior can only be learned by example.
D T he s e thi ng s G a re no t a s va l u D a bl e a s te a c hi ng E ‹ hi m 3 0 ™ ™ ™ ™ a bo ut the Ta o . A D B ‹ A 13 4 W hy wa s the Ta o D e s te e me d by the a n G c i e nt M a s A te rs ? 24 1 I s i t no t s a i d D " Wi th i t we f i nd G wi th o ut l o o k i ng A4 5 Wi th i t we f i nd D f o r g i ve ne s s f o r G o ur tra ns A g re s s i o ns " 4 9 T ha t i s why the wo rl d D c a n no t G un d e r s ta nd i t A5 3 ™ ™ ™ ™ E ‹ A D5 8 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 & ## & ## ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & ## & ## & ## & ## ∑ & ## ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ j œ ™ ‰ œ œ j œ j œ ™ Ó Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ j œ j œ ™ Ó Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ J œ J œ œ j œ œ œ Ó Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó 2
Difficult problems are best solved while they are easy. Great projects are best started while they are small.
The Master never takes on more than she can handle, which means that she leaves nothing undone.
œnœ œ#œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ nœj #œ œ œ œ œ ‰ nœj #œ œ œ ™ œ œ
When an affirmation is given too lightly, keep your eyes open for trouble ahead.
When something seems too easy, difficulty is hiding in the details. The master expects great difficulty, so the task is always easier than planned.
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ub i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
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A 5 d o by A ¨ 5 no t d o G 5 i ng µ E n A 5 jo y A ¨ 5 the pl a i n a nd G 5 s i m pl e . µ F i nd A 5 tha t g re a t A ¨ 5 ne s s i n G 5 the s ma l l . µ6
‰ œ j bœ œ
nœ
œ#œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j #œ œ œ œ Œ œ bœ œ nœ œ œ œ ‰ œ j #œ œ nœ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ bœ œ nœj œ œ j œ #œ œ œ nœ œ nœ Œ
Ta ke G 5 c a re G © 5 o f d i f A 5 f i c ul t pro µ bl e ms G 5 whi l e the y G © 5 a re s ti l l A 5 e a µ s y G 5 D o e a G © 5 s y thi ng s A 5 be f o re µ1 0 the y G 5 be c o me G © 5 to o ha rd A 5 µ A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ G 5 G © 5 A 5 µ1 3
q = 1 0 8
G 5 whi l e the y G © 5 a re s ma l l . A 5 µ T he M a s A 5 te r ne A ¨ 5 ve r ta ke s G 5 o n µ mo re A 5 tha n s he A ¨ 5 c a n ha n G 5 d l e , µ2 1 &4 & ∑ & & & &
nœ
4
Ta o S o n g 6 3
D i f A 5 f i c ul t pro A ¨ 5 bl e ms a re G 5 be s t s o l ve d µ G 5 whi l e the y G © 5 a re e a A 5 s y. µ G re a t A 5 pro A ¨ 5 je c ts a re G 5 be s t s ta r µ te d 1 8
Ac t A 5 by A ¨ 5 no t a c G 5 ti ng µ
Take care of difficult problems while they are still easy; Do easy things before they become too hard.
Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ œ bœ œ œ œ œ
A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ G 5 G © 5 A 5 µ
Act by not acting; do by not doing. Enjoy the plain and simple. Find that greatness in the small.
A 5 whi c h me a ns A ¨ 5 tha t s he G 5 µ l e a ve s G 5 no th i ng G © 5 un d o ne A 5 µ A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ2 4
5 G 5 µ A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ G 5 G © 5 A 5 µ4 5
G 5 G © 5 A 5 µ W he n G 5 a n a f G © 5 f i r ma A 5 ti o n µ G 5 i s g i G © 5 ve n to o A 5 l i g ht l y, µ G 5 ke e p yo ur G © 5 e ye s o A 5 pe n µ2 9 G 5 f o r tro u G © 5 bl e a he a d A 5 µ A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ G 5 G © 5 A 5 µ3 3 A 5 W he n s o me A ¨ 5 thi ng s e e ms G 5 µ A 5 to o A ¨ 5 e a G 5 s y, µ d i f A 5 f i c ul ty A ¨ 5 i s hi G 5 d i ng µ i n G 5 the d e G © 5 ta i l s A 5 µ T he 3 8 ma s G 5 te r e x G © 5 pe c ts A 5 µ G 5 g re a t d i f G © 5 f i c ul ty A 5 µ G 5 s o G © 5 the ta s k A 5 i s a l µ wa ys 4 2 e a A 5 s i e r A ¨ 5 tha n pl a nne d . A 5 µ A 5 A ¨ 5 G 5 µ A 5 A ¨
& & & & & &
‰ #œj œ œ nœ Œ œ œ #œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ œ ™ œ#œ ™ œ œ œ nœ ‰ œ j #œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ nœj #œ œ œ ™ œ œ ‰ nœj #œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ ‰ œ j bœ œ œ Œ Œ nœ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ bœ œ œ œ Œ œ œ#œ œ nœ œ ‰ ™ œ r nœ œ œ ™ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j #œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ Œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ#œ œ œ œ Ó Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ Œ 2
If you are as concerned about the outcome as you are about the beginning, then it is hard to do things wrong. The master seeks no possessions. She learns by unlearning, thus she is able to understand all things. This gives her the ability to help all of creation.
C D ‹
œ ˙ Ó
The tallest tree begins as a tiny sprout. The tallest building starts with one shovel of dirt. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single footstep.
G
D ‹
T hi ng s D ‹ bre a k e a s i e r whi l e G the y a re s ti l l bri t C tl e . T hi ng s D ‹ a re e a s i e r hi d G whi l e the y a re s ti l l 11 C s ma l l P re F ve nt pro bl e ms be f o re the y C a ri s e Ta ke F a c ti o n be f o re thi ng s 1 4 C
Things are easier to control while things are quiet. Things are easier to plan far in advance.
T hi ng s D ‹ a re e a s i e r to pl a n G C f a r i n a d va nc e F Œ„ Š76
She doesn’t hold on to things and never loses them.
If you rush into action, you will fail. If you hold on too tight, you will lose your grip. Therefore the Master lets things take their course and thus never fails.
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P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl c d o ma n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y ™
g e t o ut o f ha nd . T he ta l l D e s t tre e be g i ns G C a s a ti ny F s pro ut T he 1 8 ta l D l e s t bui l d i ng s ta rts G C wi th o ne s ho ve l o f d i rt F A jo ur D ne y o f a tho u s a nd mi l e s G2 1 s ta rts C wi th a s i n g l e f o o t F Œ„ Š7 s te p I f yo u F rus h i n to a c ti o n, yo u wi l l f a i l 2 4 C
I f yo u F ho l d o n to o ti g ht, C yo u wi l l l o s e yo ur g ri p T he re D ‹ f o re the M a s G te r l e ts thi ng s 2 8 & & & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
D ‹ G C A ‹ A ‹7
By pursing your goals too relentlessly, you let them slip away.
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& & & Ó Ó Ó Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ˙ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ
q = 9 0
G
Œ ‰ œ J
Prevent problems before they arise. Take action before things get out of hand.
™
˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ ≈ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
Things break easier while they are still brittle. Things are easier hid while they are still small.
T hi ng s a re e a s i e r to c o n tro l whi l e thi ng s a re q ui e t C
4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 2 4 4 4 & Ta o S o n g 6 4 & ∑
™ œ Ó œ
Knowing the two alternatives is a pattern. Remaining aware of the pattern is a virtue.
A ‹ T he a n c i e nt M a s te rs who un E 7 d e r s to o d F Œ„ Š7 the wa y o f the Ta o C F Œ„ Š7 d i d no t e d u c a te pe o C pl e ,
& & & & ∑ ∑ ∑ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ ™ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ œ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ ˙ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ Ó Ó Ó Ó Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ Œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó
5
This dark and mysterious virtue is profound. It is opposite our natural inclination, but leads to harmony with the heavens.
The ancient Masters who understood the way of the Tao, did not educate people, but made them forget. Smart people are difficult to guide, because they think they are too clever.
4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 & Ta o S o n g 6 5 &
q = 7 0 F Œ„ Š7 but ma d e the m f o r g e t C G /B A ‹ S ma rt pe o pl e a re d i f E 7 f i c ul t F Œ„ Š7 to g ui d e , C4 F Œ„ Š7 be c a us e the y thi nk C the y F Œ„ Š7 a re to o c l e ve r. C µ To us e c l e D ‹ ve r ne s s to rul e a c o un try G i s to 7 l e a d F Œ„ Š7 the c o un try to ru i n C To a vo i d c l e D ‹ ve r ne s s i n ru l i ng a c o un G try, i s to 11 l e a d F Œ„ Š7 the c o un try to pro s C pe ri ty A ‹ E 7 F Œ„ Š7 C G /B1 3 A ‹ K no wi ng the two a l te r E 7 na ti ve s F Œ„ Š7 i s a pa t te rn. C F Œ„ Š7 R e ma i n i ng a wa re C o f the 1 7 pa t F Œ„ Š7 te rn i s a vi r tue C µ A ‹ T hi s d a rk a nd my s te ri o us E 7 vi r tue F Œ„ Š7 i s pro f o und C2 0 F Œ„ Š7 I t i s o p po s i te C o ur na F Œ„ Š7 tura l i n c l i na ti o n, C but 2 3 l e a d s D ‹ to ha r mo G ny F Œ„ Š7 wi th the he a ve ns C2 6 & & &
To use cleverness to rule a country, is to lead the country to ruin. To avoid cleverness in ruling a country, is to lead the country to prosperity.
65
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl c d o ma n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tr bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ œ œ œ J œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ ™ œ R œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ ≈ œ ™ J œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ R
Rivers and seas are rulers of the streams of hundreds of valleys because of the power of their low position.
œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ
P ub c d o ma n s o ng by V to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
q = 7 0
∑
‰
3
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. 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. Because she does not like to compete, no one can compete with the things she accomplishes.
Ta o S o n g 6 6
66
bur d e ne d , A ‹ i f a wi s e pe r s o n i s i n D ‹7 a po s i ti o n o f po we r T he 1 6 pe o A ‹ pl e wi l l no t f e e l l i ke D ‹7 the y a re be i ng ma F Œ„ Š7 ni G pu l a A ‹ te d 1 9 A ‹ i f a wi s e pe r s o n i s i n D ‹7 f ro nt a s the i r l e a d e r A ‹ T he who l e wo rl d wi l l a s k 2 4 D ‹7 f o r he r g ui d a nc e , A ‹ a nd wi l l ne ve r g e t ti re d o f he r. D ‹7 B e c a us e s he d o e s no t l i ke to c o m pe te , 2 8 no F Œ„ Š7 o ne c a n c o m pe te wi th the thi ng s G s he a c c o m A ‹ pl i s h e s . 3 1 4 &4 & & & & & ∑ & ∑ & & œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ j ‰
R i A ‹ ve rs a nd s e a s a re ru l e rs o f the s tre a ms D ‹7 o f hun d re d s o f va l l e ys be c a us e o f the po we r o f the i r l o w D ‹7 po s i ti o n I f A ‹ yo u wa nt to be D ‹7 the ru l e r o f pe o pl e , yo u mus t s pe a k A ‹ to the m 4 D ‹7 l i ke yo u a re the i r s e r va nt I f A ‹ yo u wa nt to l e a d D ‹7 o the r pe o pl e yo u mus t 8 put F Œ„ Š7 the i r i n te re s t a he a d G o f yo ur o wn. A ‹ T he pe o A ‹ pl e wi l l no t f e e l 11 D ‹7
A ‹
™
œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ J œ ™ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
™
Wi th c o m pa s C s i o n, yo u wi l l be a bl e to be bra ve , E ‹ Wi th mo d e 1 7 ra C ti o n yo u wi l l be a bl e to g i ve to o the rs , E ‹ Wi th hu mi C l i ty, yo u wi l l be a bl e to 2 1 & # & # &
It seems too easy for anyone to use. There are three jewels that I cherish: compassion, moderation, and humility.
67
The world talks about honoring the Tao, but you can’t tell it from their actions. Because it is thought of as great, the world makes light of it.
E 5
4 &4 # ∑ Ta o S o n g 6 7
To abandon compassion while seeking to be brave, or abandoning moderation while being benevolent, or abandoning humility while seeking to lead will only lead to greater trouble.
The compassionate warrior will be the winner, and if compassion is your defense you will be secure. Compassion is the protector of Heaven’s salvation.
T he re a re thre e je we l s D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) tha t I c he C „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) ri s h: E 5 c o m pa s s i o n, mo d e ra D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) ti o n, a nd C ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) hu mi l i ty. E 51 3
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
T he wo rl d ta l ks a D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) bo ut ho C ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) no ri ng the Ta o , E 5 q = 7 8 but yo u c a n t te l l D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) i t f ro m the i r a c C ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) ti o ns E 5 B e c a us e i t i s D ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) tho ug ht o f a s g re a t, C 5 E 55 the wo rl d ma ke s l i g ht D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) o f i t C „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) E 5 I t s e e ms to o e a D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) s y f o r a C ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) ny o ne to us e E 59
‰ œ j
Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ ‰ œ j œ œ ™ Œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ Ó Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ
# & # ∑ & #
With compassion, you will be able to be brave, With moderation, you will be able to give to others, With humility, you will be able to become a great leader.
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w ˙ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ ™ œ r
œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ
‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Ó Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó 2
be E ‹ c o me a g re a t l e a d e r To a ba n d o n c o m pa s D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) s i o n whi l e 2 4 s e e k C ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 i ng to be bra ve , E 5 o r a ba n d o n i ng mo d e ra D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) ti o n whi l e be C ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 i ng be ne vo l e nt E 5 o r a 2 8 ba n d o n i ng hu mi l i D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) ty whi l e s e e k C ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 i ng to l e a d E 5 wi l l o n l y l e a d D „ ˆ ˆ 2 ) to g re a te r tro u C ( „ ˆ ˆ 2 bl e . E 53 1
T he c o m pa s C s i o na te wa r ri o r wi l l be the wi n ne r, E ‹ a nd i f c o m 3 5 pa s C s i o n i s yo ur d e f e ns e yo u wi l l be s e c ure E ‹ C o m pa s C s i o n i s the pro te c to r o f 3 9 H e a E ‹ ve n s s a l va ti o n. 4 2
∑ ∑ ∑
& # & # & # & # ∑ & # & #
& #
4 &4 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 6 8
This is called the virtue of non-competition. This is called the power to manage others. This is called attaining harmony with the heavens.
68
The best warriors do not use violence. The best generals do not destroy indiscriminately. The best tacticians try to avoid confrontation. The best leaders become servants of their people.
j
q = 11 4
∑ & # & # ∑
& #
C A ‹ G G 7 T
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ub i c d o ma i n tra ns l a t o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y he
∑ & #
‰ œ j w ˙ ‰ œ œ J ˙ ™ Œ ˙ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ ˙ ™ ‰ œ j w ˙ ™ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ ˙ œ J œ œ J œ œ ˙ Œ œ J œ œ J œ J œ ™ ˙ œ œ œ œ w
T he be s t C g e ne A ‹ ra l s d o G no t d e s tro y 1 6 i n G 7 d i s c ri mi na te l y. T he be s t C ta c ti c i a ns A ‹ try G to a vo i d 2 3 c o n G 7 f ro n ta ti o n T he be s t C l e a d e rs A ‹3 0 be G c o me s e r va nts o f G 7 the i r pe o pl e B ‹ D3 7 B ‹ D T hi s B ‹ i s c a l l e d the vi r tue o f no n c o m pe ti D ti o n 4 4
T hi s B ‹ i s c a l l e d the po we r to ma n a g e o the rs D T hi s B ‹ i s c a l l e d a t ta i n 5 1 i ng ha r D mo ny wi th B ‹ the he a ve ns . D5 7 B ‹ D B ‹ D6 3 & ∑ & ∑ & ∑ & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ó Œ ‰ œ w ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ˙ œ J œ œ J ˙ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ ˙ ™ ‰ œ j w ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ˙ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ˙ ™ œ œ ™ œ Œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ ™ œ Œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ ™ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó œ ™ œ j ˙ ˙ ™ Œ ˙ ™ Œ Ó Œ œ œ ˙ Ó
be s t C wa r ri A ‹ o rs d o G no t us e vi G 7 o l e nc e 9
∑ ∑
3
œ œ
∑
j
œ œ œj J œ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ
T he re i s a n o l d s a yi ng " I t i s be t C te r to be A ‹7 c o me G C the pa s s i ve A ‹ i n o r G d e r to s e e wha t wi l l ha p F Œ„ Š7 pe n 7
A ‹7
G
C A ‹7 G C A ‹7 G C
I t i s be t C te r to re tre a t A ‹7 a f o o t G tha n to a d C va nc e o n l y A ‹7 a n i nc h " G1 2 T hi s C i s c a l l e d A ‹7 be i ng f l e x G i bl e whi l e a d va n F Œ„ Š7 c i ng , pu C s hi ng ba c k wi th o ut A ‹7 u s i ng 1 7 f o rc e G a nd d e s tro C yi ng A ‹7 G the e C ne my A ‹7 wi th o ut G e n g a 2 2 F Œ„ Š7 g i ng hi m C A ‹7 G C A ‹7 G C T he re i s no A ‹7 g re a te r d i s 2 7 a s G te r tha n un C d e re s ti ma A ‹7 ti ng yo ur e ne G my. Un C d e re s ti ma A ‹ ti ng yo ur e 3 4 ne G my me a ns l o F Œ„ Š7 s i ng yo ur g re a t e s t a s s e ts . C W he n e q ua l f o r A ‹7 c e s me e t G i n 3 8 ba t C A ‹7 tl e G vi c C to ry wi l l g o A ‹7 to the o ne G tha t e n F Œ„ Š7 te rs wi th the g re a t e s t s o r 4 3 ro w C A ‹7 G C A ‹7 G C4 8 & & & & ∑ ∑ ∑ & & & & ∑ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ J œ œ J œ œ œ œ J œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ j œ ™ Ó Ó Ó Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó
q = 11 6
j
4 &4 ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 6 9 & ∑
There is an old saying: “It is better to become the passive in order to see what will happen. It is better to retreat a foot than to advance only an inch.” This is called being flexible while advancing, pushing back without using force, and destroying the enemy without engaging him. There is no greater disaster than underestimating your enemy. Underestimating your enemy means loosing your greatest assets. When equal forces meet in battle, victory will go to the one that enters with the greatest sorrow.
69
Ó Ó Ó Ó Œ œ œ œ J œ œ J œ Œ Œ œ œ œ
∑
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ub i c d o ma i n tra ns l a t o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
∑ ∑
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl c d o ma n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tr bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y.
M y C wo rd s a re e a F Œ„ Š7 s y to un d e r C s ta nd F Œ„ Š7 a nd
F Œ„ Š7
Because you do not know me, you are not able to understand my teachings. Because those who know me are few, my teachings become even more precious.
70
3 &4
M y te a C c hi ng s c o me F Œ„ Š7 f ro m the a n C c i e nts F Œ„ Š7 the thi ng s I d o C a re d o ne F Œ„ Š7 f o r a re a 2 4 s o n C F Œ„ Š7 B e C c a us e yo u F Œ„ Š7 d o no t kno w me , C F Œ„ Š7 yo u a re no t a C bl e to un F Œ„ Š7 d e r s ta nd my 3 1 te a C c hi ng -s F Œ„ Š7 B e C c a us -e tho s e who kno w F Œ„ Š7 me a re f e w, C F Œ„ Š7 my te a c hi ng -s 3 9 be C c o me e F Œ„ Š7 ve n mo re pre c i o us C F Œ„ Š7 C F Œ„ Š7 C F Œ„ Š7 C4 5 ∑ ∑ ∑ & 3 & ∑ ∑ ∑ 3 & & ∑ & ∑ 3 & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ œ j œ j œ ™ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ ˙ œ j œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ Œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ ˙ œ ™ œ œ j œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ ™ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ
My words are easy to understand and easier to put into practice. Yet no one in the world seems to understand them, or be able to apply what I teach.
S wi n g q = 11 4 e a C s i e r to put F Œ„ Š7 i n to pra c ti c e C F Œ„ Š7 Ye t no C o ne i n the wo rl d F Œ„ Š7 s e e ms to un C d e r s ta nd 9 the m, F Œ„ Š7 o r C be a F Œ„ Š7 bl e to a p pl y C wha t I te a c h. F Œ„ Š7 C F Œ„ Š7 C1 6
C F Œ„ Š7 C F Œ„ Š7
Ta o S o n g 7 0
My teachings come from the ancients, the things I do are done for a reason.
Knowing you don’t know is wholeness. Thinking you know is a disease. Only by recognizing that you have an illness can you move to seek a cure.
E ‹7 ( „ ˆ ˆ 4) F Œ„ Š7 C K no E ‹7 ( „ ˆ ˆ 4 wi ng yo u d o n t kno w i s who l e F Œ„ Š7 ne s s = 1 4 8
The Master is whole because she sees her illnesses and treats them, and thus is able to remain whole.
T hi n C ki ng yo u kno w i s a d i s e a s e O n l y by re E ‹7 „ ˆ ˆ 4) c o g ni z i ng tha t yo u ha ve a n i l l F Œ„ Š7 ne s s c a n yo u 7 mo ve C to s e e k a c ure T he M a s E ‹7 „ ˆ ˆ 4) te r i s who l e be c a us e F Œ„ Š7 s he 11 s e e s C he r i l l ne s s e s a nd tre a ts the m a nd thus E ‹7 ( „ ˆ ˆ 4) i s a bl e to F Œ„ Š7 re ma i n who l e 1 5 C E ‹7 „ ˆ ˆ 4) F Œ„ Š7 C E ‹7 „ ˆ ˆ 4) F Œ„ Š7 C1 9 & j w w
q
œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
4 &4 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 7 1 &
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
& & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
71
Therefore, the Master knows herself but is not arrogant. She loves herself but also loves others. This is how she is able to make appropriate choices.
A ‹ E 7 F Œ„ Š7 C E ‹/B
A ‹ S he l o ve s he r s e l f E 7 but a l F Œ„ Š7 s o l o ve s o the rs C E ‹/B T hi s A ‹ i s ho w s he i s a E 7 bl e to ma ke a p 1 7 pro F Œ„ Š7 pri a te c ho i C c e s E ‹/B A ‹ E 7 F Œ„ Š7 C E ‹/B A ‹ E 7 F Œ„ Š7 C E ‹/B A ‹2 0 & & & &
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A ‹ E 7 F Œ„ Š7 C E ‹/B A ‹ E 7 F Œ„ Š7 C E ‹/B
4 &4 Ta o S o n g 7 2
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
& ∑ Ó Ó Ó Œ Œ Ó Ó Ó Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ ™ œ œ #œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó Ó Ó Œ Œ Ó Ó Ó Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ #œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ#œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó Ó Œ Œ Ó Ó Ó Œ Œ
W he n pe o A ‹ pl e be c o me o ve r l y bo l d , E 7 the n d i s
q = 7 4 a s F Œ„ Š7 te -r wi l l s o o n a r ri ve CE ‹/B A ‹ D o no t me d E 7 d l -e wi th pe o F Œ„ Š7 pl e ' -s l i ve l -i ho o d s -; C E ‹/B6
A ‹ i f yo u re s pe c t E 7 the m, the y wi l l i n F Œ„ Š7 turn re s pe c t C yo u E ‹/B A ‹ E 7 F Œ„ Š7 C E ‹/B9
T he re A ‹ f o re the M a s te r kno ws E 7 he r s e l f F Œ„ Š7 but i s no t a r ro C g a nt E ‹/B1 3
When people become overly bold, then disaster will soon arrive.
Do not meddle with people’s livelihoods; if you respect them, they will in turn respect you.
73
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
œ
∑ ∑
Being over bold and confident is deadly. The wise use of caution will keep you alive.
q = 1 3 4
∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
One is the way to death, and the other is the way to preserve your life. Who can understand the workings of Heaven?
The Tao of the universe does not compete, yet wins; does not speak, yet responds; does not command, yet is obeyed; and does act, but is good at directing.
C Œ„ Š7 „ ˆ ˆ 1 3 ) B ¨ # 4) D 5 „ ˆ ˆ 9 ) C Œ„ Š7 „ ˆ ˆ 1 3 ) B ¨ # 4) D 5 „ ˆ ˆ 9 )3 8 & & & & & 3 & & &
D 5
D 5
∑
The nets of Heaven are wide, but nothing escapes its grasp.
™ ™ D 5 G 5 A 5 E 5 D 5 G 5 A 5 E 5
4 &4 ∑ ∑ Ta o S o n g 7 3
P ub i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
Ó ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ Ó ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J ‰ ‰ ‰ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ J ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ j œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j œ œ ˙ ™ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ ™ ≈ œ r œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j œ ™ œ j œ ™ œ j œ j œ ™ Ó
T he Ta o o f the u ni ve rs e d o e s no t c o m pe te , ye t wi ns 2 0 d o e s no t s pe a k ye t re s po nd s d o e s no t c o m ma nd , ye t i s o be ye d 2 5 a nd d o e s no t a c t, but i s g o o d a t d i re c ti ng C T he ne ts o f H e a ve n B ¨ a re 2 9 D 5 ( „ ˆ ˆ 9 ) wi d e , C Œ„ Š7 ( „ ˆ ˆ 1 3 ) but no th i ng B ¨ # 4) e s c a pe s i ts D 5 ( „ ˆ ˆ 9 g ra s p 3 3
B e i ng o ve r bo l d a nd c o n f i d e nt i s d e a d l y G 5 A 5 E 5 D 5 T he wi s e us e o f c a u ti o n wi l l ke e p yo u a l i ve G 5 A 5 E 56 D 5 O ne i s the wa y to d e a th, G 5 A 5 E 5 D 5 a nd the o the r i s the wa y to pre s e rve yo ur l i f e . 9 C Œ„ Š7 „ ˆ ˆ 1 3 ) W ho c a n un d e r s ta nd B ¨ ( # 4) the wo r ki ng s o f D 5 „ ˆ ˆ 9 ) H e a ve n? C Œ„ Š7 ( „ ˆ ˆ 1 3 ) B ¨ # 4) D 5 „ ˆ ˆ 9 )1 3
œ œ œ j œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ Ó œ
A ‹ G A ‹
4 4 6 4 6 4 4 4 6 4 4 4 4 4 6 4 4 4 & ∑
∑ j j œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ j œ Œ ˙ œ
Ó œ j œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ j œ Œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ
If you do not fear death, then how can it intimidate you? If you aren’t afraid of dying, there is nothing you can not do. Those who harm others are like inexperienced boys trying to take the place of a great lumberjack. Trying to fill his shoes will only get them seriously hurt.
Ó Ó Ó Ó Ó
I f yo u d o no t f e a r G d e a th A ‹ the n
S wi n g q = 11 6
&
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ub i c d o ma n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y.
ho w c a n i t i n ti mi G d a te yo u? A ‹ I f yo u a re n' t a f ra i d o f d y G7 i ng , A ‹ the re i s no th i ng yo u c a n G no t d o A ‹11 ™ ™ ™ ™ G F Œ„ Š7 C G F Œ„ Š7 C A ‹1 6
74
T ho s e C who ha rm o the rs F Œ„ Š7 a re l i ke i n e x pe ri e nc e d bo ys C tryi ng to ta ke the pl a c e 2 2 F Œ„ Š7 o f a g re a t l um be -r ja c -k C Tryi ng to f i l l hi s s ho e s F Œ„ Š7 wi l l o n l -y g e t 2 7 the m C s e ri o us l y hurt F Œ„ Š73 3 ™ ™ ™ ™ C G F Œ„ Š7 C G C3 7 4 4 4 6 4 ∑ & ∑ & ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & & ∑ & ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
6
j œ œ j œ Œ ‰ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j œ Œ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j œ Œ Ó Ó Ó
Ta o S o n g 7 4
A the g o ve rn me nt s ta x e s a re to o E hi g h. A W he n pe o pl e be c o me re D be l l i o us , 7
W he n pe o pl e g o hun g ry,
Ta o S o n g 7 5 & ### 3
When people go hungry, the government’s taxes are too high. When people become rebellious, the government has become too intrusive.
When people begin to view death lightly, wealthy people have too much which causes others to starve. Only those who do not cling to their life can save it.
& ### 3 3 & ### ∑ ∑ ∑ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ
75
4 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 & ### ∑ ∑ ∑
###
A the g o ve rn me nt ha s be c o me to o E i n tru A s i ve A W he n pe o pl e be g i n to vi e w 11
P ub i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
A D A D A
d e a th D l i g ht l -y A we a l -thy pe o pl -e ha ve to o muc h E A whi c h c a u s e -s o the -rs to s ta rve 1 6 D O n l y tho s e A who d o no t c l i ng to the i r l i f e E c a n A s a ve i t 2 0 ∑ & ∑
D q = 9 8
T ho s e who a re s o f t C a nd yi e l d i ng 1 9 a re G the d i s c i pl e s o f l i f e . T he ri g i d a nd s ti f f C wi l l be bro ke n. T he 2 4 s o f t G a nd yi e l G /F © d i ng E ‹ wi l l o ve r G c o me C G2 8 ∑ ∑ ∑ & # & # 3 3 & # & # & # 3 3
œ J œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ œ J œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ Œ ˙ ™ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ ‰ œ j ˙ Œ ≈ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ Ó œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ œ J œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ j ˙ œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ ‰ œ j œ j œ œ j œ j œ ™ Ó Ó
T he l i vi ng a re s o f t a nd yi e l d i ng ; the d e a d a re ri g i d a nd s ti f f L i vi ng pl a nts a re f l e x C i bl e a nd te n d e r; the d e a d G a re bri t tl e a nd d ry T ho s e who a re 8 s ti f f C a nd ri g i d a re G the d i s c i G /F © pl e o f E ‹ d e a th. O h F E ‹ o h 1 3 F o h E ‹
The living are soft and yielding; the dead are rigid and stiff. Living plants are flexible and tender; the dead are brittle and dry.
The rigid and stiff will be broken. The soft and yielding will overcome.
Those who are stiff and rigid are the disciple of death. Those who are soft and yielding are the disciples of life.
Ta o S o n g 7 6
œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ J œ ™
4 &4 #
q = 1 0 4
C G
Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ ˙ Œ ‰ œ J œ ˙ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ J œ œ œ
C
76
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
G
U b
This is why the Master gives expecting nothing in return. She does not dwell on her past accomplishments, and does not glory in any praise.
™
Who is able to give to the needy from their excess?
™
77
G C Œ„ Š7
F Œ„ Š7 G C Œ„ Š7
œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ J œ j œ œ j œ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ j œ œ ˙ ™ Œ ™ Œ ‰ Œ ™ Œ ‰ Œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ Œ ‰ Œ œ J œ œ œ œ ™ Œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ j œ œ ™ Œ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ Œ ‰
q = 7 0 C Œ„ Š7 F Œ„ Š7 G C Œ„ Š7 T he to p i s F Œ„ Š7 be nt G d o wn C Œ„ Š7 wa rd ; F Œ„ Š7 G the bo t C Œ„ Š7 to m i s be nt up F Œ„ Š7 G C Œ„ Š7 F Œ„ Š7 G6 C Œ„ Š7 T he e x c e s s F Œ„ Š7 i s G ta C Œ„ Š7 ke n f ro m, F Œ„ Š7 a nd the G d e f i C Œ„ Š7 c i e nt i s g i F Œ„ Š7 ve n to . G C Œ„ Š7 F 5 T he Ta o wo rks q = 1 4 011 to us e the e x A 5 c e s s , F 5 a nd g i ve s to tha t A 5 whi c h i s d e pl e 1 6 te d F 5 T he wa y o f pe o pl e i s to ta ke A 5 f ro m the d e pl e te d 2 2 F 5 a nd g i ve to tho s e who a l re a A 5 d y ha ve a n e x c e s s B ¨ W ho i s a C bl e to 2 7 g i ve B ¨ to the ne e d y f ro m the i r C 5 e x c e s s ? B ¨ O n l y s o me C o ne who i s 3 3 ™ ™ ™ ™ f o l B ¨ l o wi ng the wa y o f the Ta o C 5 C Œ„ Š7 F Œ„ Š7 G C Œ„ Š7 F Œ„ Š7 G C Œ„ Š7 T hi s i s why F Œ„ Š7 the Gq = 7 03 7
Only someone who is following the way of the Tao.
b ∑ ∑ & b ∑ & b ∑ & b 3 & b ∑ n 3 & 4 & ∑ Œ ™ Œ ‰ Œ ™ Œ ‰ ‰ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Œ ‰ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ
M a s C Œ„ Š7 te r g i ve s F Œ„ Š7 e x pe c G ti ng no th C Œ„ Š7 i ng i n re turn. F Œ„ Š7 G C Œ„ Š7 F Œ„ Š7 G C Œ„ Š7 S he d o e s F Œ„ Š7 no t d we l l G C Œ„ Š7 F Œ„ Š7 o n G he r 4 3 pa s t C Œ„ Š7 a c c o m pl i s h F Œ„ Š7 me nts G C Œ„ Š7 a nd d o e s no t g l o ry i n a ny pra i s e & & œ ≈ œ r œ œ œ œ œ ‰ Œ ™ Œ ‰ Œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ ™ œ j Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ j œ j œ œ J œ J œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó
F Œ„ Š7
C Œ„ Š7 F Œ„ Š7 G C Œ„ Š7 F Œ„ Š7 G C Œ„ Š7 T he Ta o o f H e a F Œ„ Š7 ve n wo rks G i n C Œ„ Š7 the wo rl d F Œ„ Š7 l i ke G the d ra C Œ„ Š7 wi ng o f a bo w F Œ„ Š7 G
P ubl i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ub c d o ma n tra ns l a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P e a s e c o py d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
™ ™
The Tao of Heaven works in the world like the drawing of a bow. The top is bent downward; the bottom is bent up. The excess is taken from, and the deficient is given to. The Tao works to use the excess, and gives to that which is depleted. The way of people is to take from the depleted, and give to those who already have an excess.
F Œ„ Š7 G C Œ„ Š7 F Œ„ Š7 G C Œ„ Š74 8 6 8 4 4 6 8 & Ta o S o n g 7 7 &
q = 7 4
G C G
G
Ye t no th i ng i s be t te r tha n wa te r D f o r o G ve r c o mi ng the ha rd 5 C a nd ri g i d G be c a us e no th i ng c a n c o m pe te D wi th i t G8 E ve ry o ne kno ws tha t the s o f t C a nd yi e l G d i ng o ve r c o me s the ri g i d a nd ha rd D but 1 2 f e w G c a n put thi s C G kno w l e d g e i n to pra c D ti c e G1 6
Wa te r i s the s o f t e s t a nd mo s t yi e l d i ng s ub s ta nc e .
# ∑
True sayings seem contradictory.
78
T he re A ‹ f o re the M a s te r s a ys : " O n l y he who i s G the l o w e s t s e r va nt o f the ki ng d o m, 2 1 A ‹ i s wo rt hy to be c o me i ts ru G l e r H e A ‹ who i s wi l l i ng to ta c k l e the 2 3 mo s t G un pl e a s a nt ta s ks , A ‹ i s the be s t ru l e r i n the wo rl d . " G2 6
Water is the softest and most yielding substance. Yet nothing is better than water, for overcoming the hard and rigid, because nothing can compete with it. Everyone knows that the soft and yielding overcomes the rigid and hard, but few can put this knowledge into practice.
C
4 4 5 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 & # ∑ Ta o S o n g 7 8 & #
# ∑ & # & # & # ∑ & # ∑ ∑ ∑ Ó Ó œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ #œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ #œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œ r œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó Œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó
Therefore the Master says: “Only he who is the lowest servant of the kingdom, is worthy to become its ruler. He who is willing to tackle the most unpleasant tasks, is the best ruler in the world.”
P ub i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
True s a yi ng s s e e m c o n C tra d i c to ry. G3 0 & & &
#
µ A vi r tu o us pe r C s o n wi l l d o the ri g ht thi ng F Œ„ Š7 G a nd pe r s o ns wi th no vi r tue C1 2
D i f f i c ul ti e s re ma i n F Œ„ Š7 e ve n a f G te r s o l vi ng a pro bl e m C q = 7 4
Ta o S o n g 7 9
4 4
G the g o o d pe r s o n re c e i ve s C f ro m the Ta o be c a us e s he F Œ„ Š7 i s o n G i ts s i d e C1 8 4 2 4 & & & & & & 3
œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ J œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó
79
C F Œ„ Š7 G C
G wha t s he kno ws i s C ri g ht, a nd ma ke s no F Œ„ Š7 d e ma nd -s G o f o the -rs C8
wi l l ta ke a d va n F Œ„ Š7 ta g e G o f o the rs C T he Ta o d o e s no t c ho o s e s i d e s , F Œ„ Š71 5
Difficulties remain, even after solving a problem. How then can we consider that as good?
U
Ó Ó Œ ™ ‰ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
4 4
Therefore the Master does what she knows is right, and makes no demands of others. A virtuous person will do the right thing, and persons with no virtue will take advantage of others. The Tao does not choose sides, the good person receives from the Tao because she is on its side.
4 4 2
P ub c d o ma n s o ng by V to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y ™ ™
‰ œ J œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ j œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ‰ œ J œ ™ œ œ
H o w the n c a n we F Œ„ Š7 c o n s i d e r tha t G a s g o o d ? C T he re f o re the M a s te r d o e s F Œ„ Š75
Even though they have plenty of horses, wagons and boats, they won’t feel that they need to use them. Even if they have weapons and shields, they will keep them out of sight. Let people enjoy the simple technologies, let them enjoy their food, let them make their own clothes, let them be content with their own homes, and delight in the customs that they cherish.
4 &4 ### ∑ ∑
&
P ub i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H M c D o na l d P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
80
G i ve the m a l l o f the thi ng s B ‹ the y wa nt, F © ‹ a nd the y wi l l s e e tha t the y B ‹ d o no t ne e d 7 F © ‹ the m. B ‹ F © ‹
F © ‹ B ‹ F © ‹ B ‹ F © ‹
F © ‹
Œ
Small countries with few people are best. Give them all of the things they want, and they will see that they do not need them. Teach them that death is a serious thing, and to be content to never leave their homes.
C
E ve n i f the y ha ve we a po ns G a nd s hi e l d s , A ‹ G C the y wi l l ke e p the m 2 9 ∑ ∑ & ### & ### ∑ & ### ∑ ∑ ∑ n n n & & ∑ ∑
C the y wo n t f e e l tha t the y ne e d G to us e A ‹ the m. G2 5
Although the next country is close enough that they can hear their roosters crowing and dogs barking, they are content never to visit each other all of the days of their lives.
œ œ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ ˙ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ œ J œ œ J œ j œ ™ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ œ J œ Œ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ
Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ
Te a c h the m tha t d e a th i s a B ‹ s e ri o us thi ng 11 F © ‹ a nd to be c o n te nt to B ‹ ne ve r l e a ve the i r F © ‹ ho me s B ‹ F © ‹ B ‹1 5 C E ve n tho ug h the y ha ve pl e n ty G A ‹ o f ho r s e s , wa g o ns a nd G bo a ts , 2 1
Ta o S o n g 8 0
S ma l l c o un tri e -s wi th f e w B ‹ pe o pl -e a re be s t
q = 11 8
l e t the m e n jo y B ‹ the i r f o o d , F © ‹ l e t the m ma ke the i r o wn B ‹ c l o the s 4 4
F © ‹
o ut G o f s i g ht A ‹ G µ3 4
l e t the m be c o n te nt wi th B ‹ the i r o wn ho me s , F © ‹ a nd d e l i g ht i n the c us B ‹ to ms tha t the y c he ri s h. 4 8
F © ‹ B ‹ C Al tho ug h the ne x t G c o un try A ‹ i s c l o s e e G no ug h 5 2 C tha t the y c a n he a r the i r ro o s G te rs c ro wi ng A ‹ a nd d o g s ba rk i ng , G C the y a re c o n te nt 5 8 G A ‹ ne ve r to vi s i t G e a c h o the r a l l C o f the d a ys G o f the i r l i ve s C6 3 & & ### ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ & ### & ### & ### ∑ n n n 3 & 3 & ∑ U
L e t pe o pl e e n jo y the s i m B ‹ pl e te c h no l o g i e s , 3 8
∑ ###
Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ Œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ
˙ œ J œ œ J ˙ Ó Œ Œ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ ™
F © ‹ B ‹ F © ‹ B ‹ F © ‹
œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ j œ ™ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ J Ó Œ ™ œ J œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ ™ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó œ œ œ œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ˙ ™ œ œ œ j œ œ j œ œ œ ˙ Ó 2
F © ‹
be a u C ti f ul s o un d i ng wo rd s E 7 a re no t true F Œ„ Š7 Wi s e C me n d o n t ne e d 8 to E 7 d e ba te ; me n F Œ„ Š7 who ne e d to d e ba te a re no t wi s e D ‹71 4 C Wi s e me n a re no t s c ho l a rs , G a nd s c ho l a rs a re no t C wi s e 1 8 C T he M a s te r d e s i E 7 re s no po s s e s s i o ns F Œ„ Š7 S i nc e the thi ng s s he C d o e s 2 4 E 7 a re f o r the pe o pl e , F Œ„ Š7 s he ha s mo re tha n s he ne e d s C2 9 E 7 T he mo re s he g i ve s to o the rs , F Œ„ Š7 the mo re s he ha s f o r he r s e l f . D ‹73 3 C T he Ta o o f H e a E 7 ve n no ur i s h e s by no t A ‹ f o r c i ng F Œ„ Š73 8
Ta o S o n g 8 1
7
The Master desires no possessions. Since the things she does are for the people, she has more than she needs. The more she gives to others, the more she has for herself.
The Tao of Heaven nourishes by not forcing. The Tao of the Wise person acts by not competing.
4 &4 ∑ ∑
81
True words do not sound beautiful; beautiful sounding words are not true. Wise men don’t need to debate; men who need to debate are not wise. Wise men are not scholars, and scholars are not wise.
C
P ub i c d o ma i n s o ng by Vi to D i B o na P ubl i c d o ma i n tra ns a ti o n by J o hn H . M c D o na l d . P l e a s e c o py, d i s tri bute a nd pe rf o rm f re e l y
T he Ta o C o f the Wi s e pe r s o n G a c ts by no t C c o m pe ti ng 4 2 ∑ ∑ & ∑ ∑ ∑ & ∑ & ∑ ∑ ∑ & & ∑ 3 & ∑ & & 3 ∑
F Œ„ Š7 q = 1 0 6
3
œ j œ ™ Ó Œ ™ œ j œ j œ œ œ ˙ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ™ œ j œ œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ j œ ™ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ œ j œ Œ ™ œ j #œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ J œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Ó Œ ‰ œ j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ Œ
True wo rd s E d o no t s o und be a u ti f ul
3
C E 7 F Œ„ Š7
Vito Di Bona lives with his wife and two kids in Durham, North Carolina, the city where he was born. He works as a statistician, serves on the board of the North Carolina Songwriters Co-op, and grows medicinal plants. Learn more at TaoSongs.com
A first printing with a larger page size was produced in 2020.
This book was designed by Dave Wofford of Horse & Buggy Press in collaboration with Vito. It was printed and bound by Laser Image Printing and Marketing.
TaoSongs.com
