Lao Tsu

See: http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96jun/laotzu.html

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.

The name that can be named is not the eternal name.

The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.

The named is the mother of ten thousand things.

Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.

Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations.

These two spring from the same source but differ in name;

this appears as darkness.

Darkness within darkness.

The gate to all mystery.

LT1-01

Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only

because there is ugliness.

All can know good as good only

because there is evil.

Therefore having and not having arise together.

Difficult and easy complement each other.

Long and short contrast each other.

Voice and sound harmonize each other.

Front and back follow one another.

Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing,

teaching no-talking.

The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease,

Creating, yet not possessing,

Working, yet not taking credit.

Work is done, then forgotten.

Therefore it lasts forever.

LT1-02

LT1 - Tao Te Ching

Lao Tsu

Gia-fu Feng & Jane English, trans.

Vintage Books

- 01 ONE

- 02 TWO