第三十六章


将欲歙之，必固张之；
将欲弱之，必固强之；
将欲废之，必固兴之；
将欲夺之，必固与之。
是谓微明。
柔弱胜刚强。
鱼不可脱于渊，
国之利器不可以示人。



Chapter 36


If you want to shrink something,
you must first allow it to expand.
If you want to get rid of something,
you must first allow it to flourish.
If you want to take something,
you must first allow it to be given.
This is called the subtle perception
of the way things are.

The soft overcomes the hard.
The slow overcomes the fast.
Let your workings remain a mystery.
Just show people the results.

第三十五章


执大象，天下往。
往而不害，安平太。
乐与饵，过客止。
道之出口，淡乎其无味，
视之不足见，听之不足闻，
用之不可既。



Chapter 35


She who is centered in the Tao
can go where she wishes,
without danger.
She perceives the universal harmony,
even amid great pain,
because she has found peace in her heart.

Music or the smell of good cooking
may make people stop and enjoy.
But words that point to the Tao
seem monotonous and without flavor.
When you look for it,
there is nothing to see.
When you listen for it,
there is nothing to hear.
When you use it,
it is inexhaustible.

第三十五章


执大象，天下往。
往而不害，安平太。
乐与饵，过客止。
道之出口，淡乎其无味，
视之不足见，听之不足闻，
用之不可既。



Chapter 35


She who is centered in the Tao
can go where she wishes,
without danger.
She perceives the universal harmony,
even amid great pain,
because she has found peace in her heart.

Music or the smell of good cooking
may make people stop and enjoy.
But words that point to the Tao
seem monotonous and without flavor.
When you look for it,
there is nothing to see.
When you listen for it,
there is nothing to hear.
When you use it,
it is inexhaustible.

第三十四章


大道泛兮，其可左右。
万物恃之而生，而不辞，
功成而不有。
衣养万物而不为主，常无欲，
可名于小；
万物归焉而不为主，可名为大。
以其终不自为大，故能成其大。



Chapter 34


The great Tao flows everywhere.
All things are born from it,
yet it doesn't create them.
It pours itself into its work,
yet it makes no claim.
It nourishes infinite worlds,
yet it doesn't hold on to them.
Since it is merged with all things
and hidden in their hearts,
it can be called humble.
Since all things vanish into it
and it alone endures,
it can be called great.
It isn't aware of its greatness;
thus it is truly great.

第三十四章


大道泛兮，其可左右。
万物恃之而生，而不辞，
功成而不有。
衣养万物而不为主，常无欲，
可名于小；
万物归焉而不为主，可名为大。
以其终不自为大，故能成其大。



Chapter 34


The great Tao flows everywhere.
All things are born from it,
yet it doesn't create them.
It pours itself into its work,
yet it makes no claim.
It nourishes infinite worlds,
yet it doesn't hold on to them.
Since it is merged with all things
and hidden in their hearts,
it can be called humble.
Since all things vanish into it
and it alone endures,
it can be called great.
It isn't aware of its greatness;
thus it is truly great.

第三十三章


知人者智，自知者明。
胜人者有力，自胜者强。
知足者富。
强行者有志。
不失其所者久。
死而不亡者寿。



Chapter 33


Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.

If you realize that you have enough,
you are truly rich.
If you stay in the center
and embrace death
with your whole heart,
you will endure forever.

第三十三章


知人者智，自知者明。
胜人者有力，自胜者强。
知足者富。
强行者有志。
不失其所者久。
死而不亡者寿。



Chapter 33


Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.

If you realize that you have enough,
you are truly rich.
If you stay in the center
and embrace death
with your whole heart,
you will endure forever.

第三十二章

道常无名，朴虽小，天下莫能臣也。
侯王若能守之，万物将自宾。
天地相合，以降甘露，
民莫之令而自均。
始制有名，名亦既有，
夫亦将知止，知止所以不殆。
譬道之在天下，犹川谷之于江海。



Chapter 32


The Tao can't be perceived.
Smaller than an electron,
it contains uncountable galaxies.

If powerful men and women
could remain centered in the Tao,
all things would be in harmony.
The world would become a paradise.
All people would be at peace,
and the law would be written in their hearts.

When you have names and forms,
know that they are provisional.
When you have institutions,
know where their functions should end.
Knowing when to stop,
you can avoid any danger.

All things end in the Tao
as rivers flow into the sea.

第三十一章


夫佳兵者，不祥之器，物或恶之，
故有道者不处。
君子居则贵左，用兵则贵右。
兵者，不祥之器，非君子之器，
不得已而用之，恬淡为上。
胜而不美，而美之者，是乐杀人。
夫乐杀人者，
则不可以得志于天下矣。
吉事尚左，凶事尚右。
偏将军居左，上将军居右，
言以丧礼处之。
杀人之众，以哀悲泣之，
战胜，以丧礼处之。



Chapter 31


Weapons are the tools of violence;
all decent men detest them.

Weapons are the tools of fear;
a decent man will avoid them
except in the direst necessity
and, if compelled, will use them
only with the utmost restraint.
Peace is his highest value.
If the peace has been shattered,
how can he be content?
His enemies are not demons,
but human beings like himself.
He doesn't wish them personal harm.
Nor does he rejoice in victory.
How could he rejoice in victory
and delight in the slaughter of men?

He enters a battle gravely,
with sorrow and with great compassion,
as if he were attending a funeral.

第三十章


以道佐人主者，不以兵强天下。
其事好还。
师之所处，荆棘生焉。
大军之后，必有凶年。
善有果而已，不敢以取强。
果而勿矜，果而勿伐，果而勿骄，
果而不得已，果而勿强。
物壮则老，是谓不道，
不道早已。



Chapter 30


Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men
doesn't try to force issues
or defeat enemies by force of arms.
For every force there is a counterforce.
Violence, even well intentioned,
always rebounds upon oneself.

The Master does his job
and then stops.
He understands that the universe
is forever out of control,
and that trying to dominate events
goes against the current of the Tao.
Because he believes in himself,
he doesn't try to convince others.
Because he is content with himself,
he doesn't need others' approval.
Because he accepts himself,
the whole world accepts him.