Twelve Versions
to make Merit
a
matter of reward
lest people
conspire
and
contend,
not
to pile up
Rich Belongings
lest
they rob,
not
to excite by Display
lest
they covet.
A
Sound Leader's aim
is
to open
people's Hearts,
fill
their Stomachs,
calm
their Wills,
brace
their Bones
and so
to clarify
their Thoughts
and
cleanse
their Needs
that
no cunning meddler
could touch them:
without being forced,
without strain
or constraint,
good Government
comes of itself.
+
"The Way of Life
According to Laotzu:
An American Version",
translated by
Witter Bynner,
Capricorn Books,
1944,
p. 26 - 27
+++
Tao Three
By not exalting
the Talented
you will cause
the people
to cease
from rivalry
and contention.
By not prizing Goods
hard to get,
you will cause
the people
to cease
from robbing
and stealing.
By not displaying
what is Desirable,
you will cause
the people's hearts
to
remain undisturbed.
Therefore,
the Sage's way
of Governing
begins by
emptying the Heart
of desires,
filling the Belly
with food,
weakening
the Ambitions,
toughening
the Bones.
In this way
he will cause
people
to remain
without Knowledge
and
without Desire,
and
prevent
the "knowing ones"
from
any ado.
Practice
Non-Ado,
and
everything
will be in order.
+
"Tao Teh Ching"
by
Lao Tzu,
translated
by
John C. H. Wu
[1961],
Shambhala Press,
1990,
p. 4 - 5
+++
Tao Three
people
become powerless.
If you overvalue
Possessions,
people
begin to steal.
The Master
leads
by emptying
people's Minds
and filling
their Cores,
by weakening
their Ambition
and toughening
their Resolve.
He helps people
lose
everything
they "know",
everything
they Desire,
and
creates confusion
in "those
who think
that they know".
Practice
Not-Doing,
and
everything
will fall into place.
+
"Tao Te Ching:
A New English Version",
translated by
Stephen Mitchell,
Harper Perennial,
1988,
p. 5
Tao Three
If no one
esteems
"the Best",
men
will be free
from contention.
If no one
values
"the Precious",
men
will be free
from illegal gain.
If men
see
nothing
to Desire,
their minds
will be free
from
confusion.
Therefore,
the Wise
guides men
by
relaxing
their Minds
and
keeping
their Bellies
firm;
by
reducing
their Wills
and
letting
their Physiques
become strong.
He always
frees men
from
the search
for "knowing"
and "demanding".
This means
that
the "knower"
dares not act
for
the known.
When action
is
through Non-action,
no one
is un-cultivated.
+
"Tao:
A New Way
of Thinking",
translated by
Chang Chung-yuan,
Perennial Library,
1975,
p. 10
Not exalting
the Worthy
keeps the people
from emulation.
Not valuing
Rare things
keeps them
from theft.
Not showing
what is Desirable
keeps their hearts
from confusion.
Therefore
the Sage
rules
by emptying
their Hearts,
filling
their Stomachs,
weakening
their Ambitions
and strengthening
their Bones.
He
always keeps them
from
knowing
what is Evil
and
desiring
what is Good;
thus
he gives
"the crafty ones"
no chance
to act.
He governs
by non-action;
consequently
there is nothing
un-governed.
+
"The Viking
Portable Library
World Bible",
edited by
Robert O. Ballou,
The Viking Press,
1939 and 1944,
Tao selections
drawn from
"The Tao Te Ching",
translated by
Ch'u Ta-Kao,
The Buddhist Lodge,
1937,
p. 542 - 543
+++
Tao Three
"Favors"
Everyone
wants to be
a "Worthy".
Everyone
enjoys
being around
"Worthies".
Everyone
admires
a "Worthy".
And this
leads
to
contention
and
infighting.
By
not favoring
"Worthies",
you
can keep people
from
being contentious.
Gold, Silver,
and
other Treasures
are
difficult to come by.
Everyone wants
to obtain
these
Valuable Objects,
and
this is why
there are
robbers and thieves.
By
not
placing Value
on things
difficult
to obtain,
you
can keep people
from
wanting
to steal things.
By
not rewarding
Fame,
you
can keep people
from
muddling
their minds
with it.
So
a Sage governs
by
purifying the Hearts
of the people.
He keeps people
secure
and
Satisfied,
eliminates
their scheming
Ambitions,
and
strengthens
their Bodies.
He causes
the people
to have
no deceptive
"Knowledge"
or
covetous Desires.
He causes
"the cunning ones"
to refrain
from engaging
in unsavory acts.
By acting
in accordance
with Nature
and
governing selflessly,
there will be
nothing
in the country
that is
not well-governed.
Fame
and
Position
incite
Contention;
Wealth
excites people's
Greed.
As a result,
Lying and Deceit
arise
in
endless succession,
and
these lead to
Confusion
and Conflicts
in Society.
+
"The Tao Speaks:
Lao-Tzu's Whispers
of Wisdom",
adapted and
illustrated
by Tsai Chih Chung,
translated by
Brian Bruya,
Anchor Books,
Bantam Doubleday
Dell Publishing,
1995,
p. 34 - 35
+++
Tao Three
Not exalting
"the Gifted"
prevents quarreling.
Not collecting
Treasures
prevents stealing.
Not seeing
Desirable Things
prevents
confusion of the heart.
The Wise therefore
rule
by emptying Hearts
and stuffing Bellies,
by
weakening Ambitions
and
strengthening Bones.
If people lack
"Knowledge"
and Desire,
then "Intellectuals"
will not
try to interfere.
If "nothing" is done,
then "all" will be well.
+
"Lao Tsu:
Tao Te Ching",
translated by
Gia-Fu Feng
and
Jane English,
Vintage Books,
Random House,
1972,
p. 7
+++
Tao Three
By not preferring
the Competent
one brings about
that people
do not quarrel.
By not treasuring
Precious Things
one brings about
that people
do not steal.
By not displaying
Desirable Things
one brings about
that people's hearts
are not confused.
Therefore
the Man of Calling
governs thus:
He empties
their Hearts
and fills
their Bellies.
He weakens
their Will
and
strengthens
their Bones
and
brings about
that people
remain
without "Knowledge"
and
without "Wishes",
and
he takes care
that those
who "know"
dare not act.
He does
the Non-Doing,
and thus
everything
falls into place.
+
"Tao Te Ching:
The Book
of Meaning
and Life"
by Lao Tzu,
translated
by Richard Wilhelm
[1910 and 1978],
and translated
into English
by H. G. Oswald,
Penguin Books,
1985,
p. 2 - 3
+++
Tao Three
If those who are
Excellent
find
no preferment,
the people
will cease
to contend
for promotion.
If Goods
that are
hard to obtain
are
not favored,
the people
will cease
to
turn robbers
or bandits.
If things
much Desired
are kept
under cover,
disturbance
will cease
in the minds
of the people.
The
Wise Man's policy,
accordingly,
will be
to empty
people's
Hearts and Minds,
to
fill their Bellies,
weaken
their Ambition,
give them
sturdy Frames
and
always so,
to keep them
"uninformed",
without Desire,
and
"knowing ones"
not
venturing to act.
Be still
while you work
and
keep full control
over All.
+
"The Way of Life:
Lao Tzu",
translated by
Raymond B. Blakney,
Mentor Books,
New American Library,
1955.
p. 55
+++
Tao Three
Not to honor
men of Worth
will keep
the people
from
contention;
not to value
Goods
which are
hard to come by
will keep them
from
theft;
not to display
what is Desirable
will keep them
from being
unsettled
of mind.
Therefore
in governing
the people,
the Sage
empties their Minds
but
fills their Bellies,
weakens their Wills
but
strengthens
their Bones.
He always
keeps them
innocent
of "knowledge"
and
free from Desire,
and
ensures that
"the clever"
never dare
to act.
Do that
which consists
in taking
no Action,
and
Order will prevail.
+
"Lao Tzu:
Tao Te Ching",
translated by
D. C. Lau,
Penguin Books,
1963,
p. 59
Tao Three
"Action
Without Deeds"
Exalt not
the Wise,
so that
the people
shall not
scheme
and contend;
prize not
Rare Objects,
so that
the people
shall not
steal;
shut out
from sight
the things
of Desire,
so that
the
people's Hearts
shall not
be disturbed.
Therefore
in
the government
of
the Sage:
he keeps empty
their Hearts,
makes full
their Bellies,
discourages their
Ambitions,
strengthens their
Frames;
so that
the people
may be innocent
of "knowledge"
and Desires.
And
the "cunning ones"
shall not presume
to interfere.
By action
without deeds
may all
live in Peace.
+
"The Wisdom
of Laotse",
translated by
Lin Yutang,
Modern Library,
Random House,
1948,
p. 56
+++
Tao Three
Not ever
boasting
of
his "Worth",
no one
desires
to dim;
not
prizing Treasures
of the earth,
no one
will steal
from him.
All thoughts
that kindle
to Desire,
his mind
has
long refused,
and,
since
he does not
feed that fire,
his Heart
is un-confused.
When
such a one
governs the land,
self-seeking
finds
surcease.
The "crafty"
dare not
raise a hand;
the People
dwell
in Peace.
+
"Tao: A Rendering
into English Verse
of the Tao Teh Ching
of Lao Tsze (B.C. 604)",
translated by
Charles A. Mackintosh,
The Theosophical Publishing House,
1926,
p. 8 - 9
+++
of
Tao Three
Tao Three
It is better
notto make Merit
a
matter of reward
lest people
conspire
and
contend,
not
to pile up
Rich Belongings
lest
they rob,
not
to excite by Display
lest
they covet.
A
Sound Leader's aim
is
to open
people's Hearts,
fill
their Stomachs,
calm
their Wills,
brace
their Bones
and so
to clarify
their Thoughts
and
cleanse
their Needs
that
no cunning meddler
could touch them:
without being forced,
without strain
or constraint,
good Government
comes of itself.
+
"The Way of Life
According to Laotzu:
An American Version",
translated by
Witter Bynner,
Capricorn Books,
1944,
p. 26 - 27
+++
Tao Three
By not exalting
the Talented
you will cause
the people
to cease
from rivalry
and contention.
By not prizing Goods
hard to get,
you will cause
the people
to cease
from robbing
and stealing.
By not displaying
what is Desirable,
you will cause
the people's hearts
to
remain undisturbed.
Therefore,
the Sage's way
of Governing
begins by
emptying the Heart
of desires,
filling the Belly
with food,
weakening
the Ambitions,
toughening
the Bones.
In this way
he will cause
people
to remain
without Knowledge
and
without Desire,
and
prevent
the "knowing ones"
from
any ado.
Practice
Non-Ado,
and
everything
will be in order.
+
"Tao Teh Ching"
by
Lao Tzu,
translated
by
John C. H. Wu
[1961],
Shambhala Press,
1990,
p. 4 - 5
+++
Tao Three
If you over-esteem
Great Men,people
become powerless.
If you overvalue
Possessions,
people
begin to steal.
The Master
leads
by emptying
people's Minds
and filling
their Cores,
by weakening
their Ambition
and toughening
their Resolve.
He helps people
lose
everything
they "know",
everything
they Desire,
and
creates confusion
in "those
who think
that they know".
Practice
Not-Doing,
and
everything
will fall into place.
+
"Tao Te Ching:
A New English Version",
translated by
Stephen Mitchell,
Harper Perennial,
1988,
p. 5
+++
Tao Three
If no one
esteems
"the Best",
men
will be free
from contention.
If no one
values
"the Precious",
men
will be free
from illegal gain.
If men
see
nothing
to Desire,
their minds
will be free
from
confusion.
Therefore,
the Wise
guides men
by
relaxing
their Minds
and
keeping
their Bellies
firm;
by
reducing
their Wills
and
letting
their Physiques
become strong.
He always
frees men
from
the search
for "knowing"
and "demanding".
This means
that
the "knower"
dares not act
for
the known.
When action
is
through Non-action,
no one
is un-cultivated.
+
"Tao:
A New Way
of Thinking",
translated by
Chang Chung-yuan,
Perennial Library,
1975,
p. 10
+++
Tao Three
"Government
by Non-Action"Not exalting
the Worthy
keeps the people
from emulation.
Not valuing
Rare things
keeps them
from theft.
Not showing
what is Desirable
keeps their hearts
from confusion.
Therefore
the Sage
rules
by emptying
their Hearts,
filling
their Stomachs,
weakening
their Ambitions
and strengthening
their Bones.
He
always keeps them
from
knowing
what is Evil
and
desiring
what is Good;
thus
he gives
"the crafty ones"
no chance
to act.
He governs
by non-action;
consequently
there is nothing
un-governed.
+
"The Viking
Portable Library
World Bible",
edited by
Robert O. Ballou,
The Viking Press,
1939 and 1944,
Tao selections
drawn from
"The Tao Te Ching",
translated by
Ch'u Ta-Kao,
The Buddhist Lodge,
1937,
p. 542 - 543
+++
Tao Three
"Favors"
Everyone
wants to be
a "Worthy".
Everyone
enjoys
being around
"Worthies".
Everyone
admires
a "Worthy".
And this
leads
to
contention
and
infighting.
By
not favoring
"Worthies",
you
can keep people
from
being contentious.
Gold, Silver,
and
other Treasures
are
difficult to come by.
Everyone wants
to obtain
these
Valuable Objects,
and
this is why
there are
robbers and thieves.
By
not
placing Value
on things
difficult
to obtain,
you
can keep people
from
wanting
to steal things.
By
not rewarding
Fame,
you
can keep people
from
muddling
their minds
with it.
So
a Sage governs
by
purifying the Hearts
of the people.
He keeps people
secure
and
Satisfied,
eliminates
their scheming
Ambitions,
and
strengthens
their Bodies.
He causes
the people
to have
no deceptive
"Knowledge"
or
covetous Desires.
He causes
"the cunning ones"
to refrain
from engaging
in unsavory acts.
By acting
in accordance
with Nature
and
governing selflessly,
there will be
nothing
in the country
that is
not well-governed.
Fame
and
Position
incite
Contention;
Wealth
excites people's
Greed.
As a result,
Lying and Deceit
arise
in
endless succession,
and
these lead to
Confusion
and Conflicts
in Society.
+
"The Tao Speaks:
Lao-Tzu's Whispers
of Wisdom",
adapted and
illustrated
by Tsai Chih Chung,
translated by
Brian Bruya,
Anchor Books,
Bantam Doubleday
Dell Publishing,
1995,
p. 34 - 35
+++
Tao Three
Not exalting
"the Gifted"
prevents quarreling.
Not collecting
Treasures
prevents stealing.
Not seeing
Desirable Things
prevents
confusion of the heart.
The Wise therefore
rule
by emptying Hearts
and stuffing Bellies,
by
weakening Ambitions
and
strengthening Bones.
If people lack
"Knowledge"
and Desire,
then "Intellectuals"
will not
try to interfere.
If "nothing" is done,
then "all" will be well.
+
"Lao Tsu:
Tao Te Ching",
translated by
Gia-Fu Feng
and
Jane English,
Vintage Books,
Random House,
1972,
p. 7
+++
Tao Three
By not preferring
the Competent
one brings about
that people
do not quarrel.
By not treasuring
Precious Things
one brings about
that people
do not steal.
By not displaying
Desirable Things
one brings about
that people's hearts
are not confused.
Therefore
the Man of Calling
governs thus:
He empties
their Hearts
and fills
their Bellies.
He weakens
their Will
and
strengthens
their Bones
and
brings about
that people
remain
without "Knowledge"
and
without "Wishes",
and
he takes care
that those
who "know"
dare not act.
He does
the Non-Doing,
and thus
everything
falls into place.
+
"Tao Te Ching:
The Book
of Meaning
and Life"
by Lao Tzu,
translated
by Richard Wilhelm
[1910 and 1978],
and translated
into English
by H. G. Oswald,
Penguin Books,
1985,
p. 2 - 3
+++
Tao Three
If those who are
Excellent
find
no preferment,
the people
will cease
to contend
for promotion.
If Goods
that are
hard to obtain
are
not favored,
the people
will cease
to
turn robbers
or bandits.
If things
much Desired
are kept
under cover,
disturbance
will cease
in the minds
of the people.
The
Wise Man's policy,
accordingly,
will be
to empty
people's
Hearts and Minds,
to
fill their Bellies,
weaken
their Ambition,
give them
sturdy Frames
and
always so,
to keep them
"uninformed",
without Desire,
and
"knowing ones"
not
venturing to act.
Be still
while you work
and
keep full control
over All.
+
"The Way of Life:
Lao Tzu",
translated by
Raymond B. Blakney,
Mentor Books,
New American Library,
1955.
p. 55
+++
Tao Three
Not to honor
men of Worth
will keep
the people
from
contention;
not to value
Goods
which are
hard to come by
will keep them
from
theft;
not to display
what is Desirable
will keep them
from being
unsettled
of mind.
Therefore
in governing
the people,
the Sage
empties their Minds
but
fills their Bellies,
weakens their Wills
but
strengthens
their Bones.
He always
keeps them
innocent
of "knowledge"
and
free from Desire,
and
ensures that
"the clever"
never dare
to act.
Do that
which consists
in taking
no Action,
and
Order will prevail.
+
"Lao Tzu:
Tao Te Ching",
translated by
D. C. Lau,
Penguin Books,
1963,
p. 59
+++
Tao Three
"Action
Without Deeds"
Exalt not
the Wise,
so that
the people
shall not
scheme
and contend;
prize not
Rare Objects,
so that
the people
shall not
steal;
shut out
from sight
the things
of Desire,
so that
the
people's Hearts
shall not
be disturbed.
Therefore
in
the government
of
the Sage:
he keeps empty
their Hearts,
makes full
their Bellies,
discourages their
Ambitions,
strengthens their
Frames;
so that
the people
may be innocent
of "knowledge"
and Desires.
And
the "cunning ones"
shall not presume
to interfere.
By action
without deeds
may all
live in Peace.
+
"The Wisdom
of Laotse",
translated by
Lin Yutang,
Modern Library,
Random House,
1948,
p. 56
+++
Tao Three
Not ever
boasting
of
his "Worth",
no one
desires
to dim;
not
prizing Treasures
of the earth,
no one
will steal
from him.
All thoughts
that kindle
to Desire,
his mind
has
long refused,
and,
since
he does not
feed that fire,
his Heart
is un-confused.
When
such a one
governs the land,
self-seeking
finds
surcease.
The "crafty"
dare not
raise a hand;
the People
dwell
in Peace.
+
"Tao: A Rendering
into English Verse
of the Tao Teh Ching
of Lao Tsze (B.C. 604)",
translated by
Charles A. Mackintosh,
The Theosophical Publishing House,
1926,
p. 8 - 9
+++
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