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nslation； which would in turn let us use the gender…neutral 〃their〃 instead of the gender…specific 〃his〃 or 〃her。〃 This takes care of the common distortion in an elegant way； and yields a more faithful translation。
* Special thanks to Master Wu Han Yih and Grand Master Lin De Yang。
1
The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao
The name that can be named is not the eternal name
The nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth
The named is the mother of myriad things
Thus； constantly free of desire
One observes its wonders
Constantly filled with desire
One observes its manifestations
These two emerge together but differ in name
The unity is said to be the mystery
Mystery of mysteries； the door to all wonders
The Tao that can be completely explained or expressed in words is not the constant； eternally unchanging and true Tao。
If the name of this Tao can be defined with words； then it is not the constant； eternally unchanging name of the true Tao。
Names did not exist prior to Creation。 The nameless Tao is therefore the source of the universe。
Once it manifests itself as the physical universe； it can be named。 Everything is derived from it through natural processes。 It is therefore the mother of all things。
If we approach the Tao without self…serving desires； we can readily observe its inner wonders and marvels。 This establishes a direct connection with the source； the vast intelligence of universal consciousness。 This gives us flashes of powerful； intuitive insights； as well as free…flowing creativity。
If we approach the Tao full of self…serving desires； then we can only observe its external physical manifestations； rather than its inner essence。 These desires block the connection and interfere with the Tao process。 We often do this to ourselves。
The Tao's external manifestations （life； nature； the cosmos； and so on） and its inner wonders （oneness； the living void； the flow； etc。） are both properties of the ultimate reality。 Although we call them by different names； they are but two sides of the same coin。
This unity of these two aspects gives us an interesting paradox。 They seem distinctively different； and yet they lead to one another。 Understanding of the Tao's inner essence gives us greater understanding of its outer manifestations； and vice versa。
Our recognition and acknowledgement of this paradox will open the door for us to further explore the infinite wonders of the Tao。
Notes
The Tao that can be spoken （expressed in words）
Is not the constant （eternal） Tao
The Name that can be named
Is not the eternal Name
The 〃Nameless Name〃 … that which existed before there was anything to name … is a synonym for the Tao。
The main idea here is that the Tao is a concept beyond reason and logic。 It is the universal principle that permeates every action and every phenomenon； but it cannot be adequately understood through the rational mind。 To comprehend it completely； you must exercise your intuition and get in touch with the fundamental divinity that connects everyone。
Lao Tzu is also pointing out the limitation of spoken words and written texts。 Our tendencies to categorize； define and analyze only give us the limited understanding of how the Tao acts upon the material world。 This is exactly what happens when we study physics； biology； chemistry； and other natural sciences。
On the other hand； if we free ourselves of this limiting human desire to put everything into words； and become aware of our wordless communion with nature； we can catch glimpses of a divine wisdom。 Beyond categories； definitions； and analyses； it is wisdom far more profound than anything that academic knowledge； science and technology can offer。
Translation Notes
One translation renders the first line as 〃The way that can be trodden；〃 which fails to take the above into account。 Another translation mistakes 〃can〃 as 〃possible〃 and waxes poetic about 〃The possible Tao。〃 That's even further away from the original meaning。
In this context； this character means 〃ever…lasting。〃 In one instance a translator renders it as 〃absolute；〃 which is close； but not quite correct。
2
When the world knows beauty as beauty； ugliness arises
When it knows good as good； evil arises
Thus being and non…being produce each other
Difficult and easy bring about each other
Long and short reveal each other
High and low support each other
Music and voice harmonize each other
Front and back follow each other
Therefore the sages：
Manage the work of detached actions
Conduct the teaching of no words
They work with myriad things but do not control
They create but do not possess
They act but do not presume
They succeed but do not dwell on success
It is because they do not dwell on success
That it never goes away
Tao sages have long recognized the relative nature of the world。 While one can certainly find absolutes in abstract theory； in the real world they rarely； if ever； exist。 For instance； no metal is absolutely free of impurities。 In fact； hardly anything in nature is absolutely pure。 One can come close to 100％ purity； but never quite get there。
It is the same with people。 Absolute good and evil can exist as concepts； but will probably never be found among human beings。 Everyone is a mixture of varying proportions。 No person is any one thing。
If the world is by and large relative； then descriptions require comparison； perspective and proportion to have meaning。 One can be 〃short〃 among NBA players and still be 〃tall〃 among kindergarten kids。 Which description is correct？ Both。 Neither。 It depends。
〃Difficult〃 and 〃easy〃 bring about each other
〃Long〃 and 〃short〃 reveal each other
〃High〃 and 〃low〃 support each other
〃Voice〃 and 〃music〃 harmonize each other
〃Front〃 and 〃back〃 follow each other
〃Hard〃 and 〃easy〃 are concepts relative to one another。 〃Long〃 and 〃short〃 need each other to have meaning。
The universe is full of dualities。 Everything is relative； values have meaning only by comparison。 For instance； a task can only be 〃easy〃 if it is being compared to some other task that is relatively more difficult。 If there抯 nothing else to compare against； the task cannot be rated in terms of difficulty。 Similarly； we can only say an object is 〃long〃 if we抮e comparing it against another similar object that is shorter。 Each half of a duality cannot exist without the other half。 A descriptive concept creates its own opposite。
3
Do not glorify the achievers
So the people will not squabble
Do not treasure goods that are hard to obtain
So the people will not become thieves
Do not show the desired things
So their hearts will not be confused
Thus the governance of the sage：
Empties their hearts
Fills their bellies
Weakens their ambitions
Strengthens their bones
Let the people have no cunning and no greed
So those who scheme will not dare to meddle
Act without contrivance
And nothing will be beyond control