Chapter 33 · Knowing Others, Knowing Oneself

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

He who knows other men is discerning;

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

He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty. He who is satisfied with his lot is rich; he who goes on acting with energy has a (firm) will. He who does not fail in the requirements of his position, continues long; he who dies and yet does not perish, has longevity.

Learn this chapter by heart, one line at a time.

Read a chapter. Recite the next line from memory. The app shows you, gently, what you missed — then has each line ready again around when it would start to slip.

Your recall of a later line — for example

He who overcomes others — missed is strong

The dotted words are the ones you missed.

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Chapter 33, in a second rendering

Knowing Yourself Is the Harder Thing

Dao De Kooi — an original rendering by David Kooi

Knowing other people is clever. Knowing yourself is the harder, better thing. Beating other people takes muscle. Getting the better of yourself takes real strength. Know when you've got enough and you're rich. Keep at it and you've got the will. Stay where you belong and you last. Die and not be done - that's the long life. (Most of that list is the stuff nobody puts on a resume.)

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