Chapter 37 · The Tao's Constant Non-Action

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

The Tao in its regular course does nothing (for the sake of doing it),

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

The Tao in its regular course does nothing (for the sake of doing it), and so there is nothing which it does not do. If princes and kings were able to maintain it, all things would of themselves be transformed by them. If this transformation became to me an object of desire, I would express the desire by the nameless simplicity. Simplicity without a name Is free from all external aim. With no desire, at rest and still, All things go right as of their will. PART II.

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and so there is nothing which — missed it does not do

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Chapter 37, in a second rendering

The Uncarved Thing

Dao De Kooi — an original rendering by David Kooi

The Dao never forces anything, and somehow nothing's left undone. If the people in charge could hold to that, everything would sort itself out. And when the old wanting starts creeping back in, you settle it with something plain and nameless - the uncarved thing. No name, no craving. No craving, things go still. And the world more or less settles itself.

Next · Chapter 38(Those who) possessed in highest degree the attributes (of the Tao) did not (seek) to show them…Read chapter 38 →

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