Chapter 28 · The Return to Simplicity

Tao Te Ching (Legge, 1891) · chapter title added by Learn the Dao

Learn the Dao: a quiet practice for learning the thing that can’t be known.

The chapter’s first line

Who knows his manhood's strength,

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This chapter in plain modern English — David Kooi’s rendering ↓

Who knows his manhood's strength, Yet still his female feebleness maintains; As to one channel flow the many drains, All come to him, yea, all beneath the sky. Thus he the constant excellence retains; The simple child again, free from all stains. Who knows how white attracts, Yet always keeps himself within black's shade, The pattern of humility displayed, Displayed in view of all beneath the sky; He in the unchanging excellence arrayed, Endless return to man's first state has made. Who knows how glory shines, Yet loves disgrace, nor e'er for it is pale; Behold his presence in a spacious vale, To which men come from all beneath the sky. The unchanging excellence completes its tale; The simple infant man in him we hail. The unwrought material, when divided and distributed, forms vessels. The sage, when employed, becomes the Head of all the Officers (of government); and in his greatest regulations he employs no violent measures.

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The unwrought material when divided — missed and distributed forms vessels

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Chapter 28, in a second rendering

Back to the Uncarved Block

Dao De Kooi — an original rendering by David Kooi

Know the assertive side, but keep to the receiving side - be the low channel the world drains into. Be that, and the deep steadiness doesn't leave you; you're back to where a baby starts. Know the bright, but keep to the plain - be a model the world can read. Be that, and you don't drift off the mark; you're back to the limitless. Know the glory, but keep to the unglamorous - be the open valley. Be that, and you're full again, back to the plain block of wood. The block gets carved into useful things. The steady hand uses them and stays in charge. The best shaping barely cuts at all.

Next · Chapter 29If any one should wish to get the kingdom for himself…Read chapter 29 →

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