Category Archives: Verses

Truthful words are not beautiful Beautiful words are not truthful Good men do not argue Those who argue are not good Those who know are not learned The learned do not know The sage never tries to store things up … Continue reading →

A small country has fewer people Though there are machines that can work ten to a hundred times faster than man they are not needed. The people take death seriously and do not travel far. Though they have boats and … Continue reading →

After a bitter quarrel, some resentment must remain What can one do about it? Therefor the sage keeps his half of the bargain But does not exact his due A man of Virtue performs his part, But a man without … Continue reading →

Under heaven nothing is more soft and yielding than water Yet for attacking the solid and strong, nothing is better It has no equal. The weak can overcome the strong The supple can overcome the stiff Under heaven everyone knows … Continue reading →

The Tao of heaven is like the bending of a bow The high is lowered, and the low is raised If the string is too long, it is shortened I there is not enough, it is made longer. The Tao … Continue reading →

A man is born gentle and weak At his death he is hard and stiff Green plants are tender and filled with sap At their death they are withered and dry Therefore the stiff and unbending is the discipline of … Continue reading →

Why are the people starving? Because the rulers eat up the money in taxes, Therefore the people are starving. Why are the people rebellious? Because the rulers interfere too much, Therefore they are rebellious. Why do the people think so … Continue reading →

If men are not afraid to die It is of no avail to threaten them with death. If men live in constant fear of dying And if breaking the law means that a man will be killed, Who will dare … Continue reading →

A brave and passionate man will kill or be killed A brave and calm man will always preserve life. Of these two, which is good and which is harmful? Some things are not favoured by heaven. Who knows why? Even … Continue reading →

When men lack a sense of awe, there will be disaster. Do not intrude in their homes Do not harass them at work If you do not interfere, they will not weary of you. Therefore the sage knows himself but … Continue reading →