Below is the chapter from two excellent sources along with the original Chinese text. The first source is from a translation by D.T. Suzuki & Paul Carus in 1913 followed by a translation by Stephen Mitchell in 1988.
Chapter 45
1. "Greatest perfection imperfect will be,
But its work ne'er waneth.
Greatest fulness is vacuity,
Its work unexhausted remaineth."
2. "Straightest lines resemble curves;
Greatest skill like a tyro serves;
Greatest eloquence stammers and swerves."
3. Motion conquers cold. Quietude conquers heat. Purity and clearness are the world's standard.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
True perfection seem imperfect,
yet it is perfectly itself.
True fullness seems empty,
yet it is fully present.
True straightness seems crooked.
True wisdom seems foolish.
True art seems artless.
The Master allows things to happen.
She shapes events as they come.
She steps out of the way
and lets the Tao speak for itself.
But its work ne'er waneth.
Greatest fulness is vacuity,
Its work unexhausted remaineth."
2. "Straightest lines resemble curves;
Greatest skill like a tyro serves;
Greatest eloquence stammers and swerves."
3. Motion conquers cold. Quietude conquers heat. Purity and clearness are the world's standard.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
True perfection seem imperfect,
yet it is perfectly itself.
True fullness seems empty,
yet it is fully present.
True straightness seems crooked.
True wisdom seems foolish.
True art seems artless.
The Master allows things to happen.
She shapes events as they come.
She steps out of the way
and lets the Tao speak for itself.
No comments:
Post a Comment