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they have no need to explain themselves with words。
Conversely； someone who is overly argumentative … and thus constantly debates against others … is a person lacking the skill to live a life free of anger and stress。 We should also beware of those who constantly explain themselves with glib words； for they do not possess real virtue。
Those who possess true mastery of knowledge have no wish to acquire shallow learning in a broad spectrum of subjects。 Someone who really knows； understands that the great Tao lives in the heart。 There is no need to search for the Tao all over the place。
Conversely； if someone claims to know something about everything； then chances are excellent that this person has little mastery of any one subject。 Being obsessed with a wide variety of book knowledge is a sign of someone who has not yet found the Tao within。
Sages have no need to accumulate worldly knowledge or goods； because they find contentment and abundance in helping and giving。 The more they render assistance； the more fulfillment they possess； the more they give to people； the more blessings and wisdom they acquire。
Sages recognize that the positive； uplifting Tao of heaven benefits all living things and does not harm them。 In emulating this； sages also seek to benefit others by helping them； and refrain from harming them with contention。
Notes
The first two lines； True words are not beautiful / Beautiful words are not true； can be misused。 Sometimes； people who want to criticize others out of malice may use them as justification。
The difference between such people and sages is in terms of intention。 When sages speak plainly and truthfully； they do so out of the intention to assist or benefit others … sages have no wish to harm other people with words； or initiate an argument with them。
Oftentimes we think we are helping friends by arguing with them （to 〃make them see〃）； but because this brings contention into the relationship； it is usually more harmful than helpful。 People are hardly at their best when a debate causes them to become defensive and unyielding。
Another important point related to the first two lines is that sages do not give insincere praise。 Saying what people want to hear （beautiful words） may make them feel comfortable in the short term； but if such words distort or conceal reality； they can only lead to harm in the long run。
English_Lindauer_TTK
Das Tao Te King von Lao Tse
Chinese … English by
David Lindauer
1
A tao that one can tao
Is not the entire tao
A name that one can name
Is not the entire name。
In the absence of names
Lies the origin of heavens and earth
The presence of names
Is mother to the 10000 things。
So viewing entireness without desire
One may see subtleties
Viewing entireness with desire
One may see boundaries。
That which is these both
Goes about as itself yet there are different names。
Categorizing them together there is insight
Very deep insight
The gateway to collective subtleties。
2
In the world each knows how beauty acts
Where there is beauty ugliness begins
Each knows how to value
Where there is value lack of value begins。
In this manner
Presence and absence give birth to each other
Difficult and easy complete each other
Long and short contrast each other
High and low attract each other
Tone and voice harmonize each other
Front and back follow each other。
Appropriately it happens that sages
Dwell absent of acting with effort
Do things without explaining in words
Make the 10000 things blend yet without trying to describe them
Give birth yet without possessing
Act yet without relying on results
Are of outstanding service yet aren't willing to reside therein。
In the end； only be unwilling to reside therein
Appropriately； a lack of detachment happens。
3
Being without esteem for principles
Results in people who do not contend
Being without treasuring goods difficult to obtain
Results in people who do not act as thieves
Being without seeing what one can desire
Results in the minds of people not being confused。
Appropriately the governing of sages happens。
Baring the mind
Solidifying the center
Lessening the will
Strengthening self…nature
These entirely result in people
Who are absent of knowing and absent of desire
In the end they also result in the wise not venturing to act。
Acting absent of acting
An absence of being without governing follows。
4
Tao； like an empty bowl
Being used somehow lacks fullness。
Such breadth！
It seems to be a model for the 10000 things。
Blunting what is sharp
Untying what is tangled
Harmonizing what is bright
Being together with the dusty earth。
Such depth！
It seems to somehow exist。
I have no knowledge whose child it is
It appears to precede the emperors。
5
Heavens and earth are without humanizing
It happens that the 10000 things act as straw dogs
Sages are without humanizing
It happens that one hundred families act as straw dogs。
The space bounding heavens and earth is just like the equal of a bellows
Empty yet not subdued
Stirring yet more goes out。
Much talk counts for little
It can't compare to obeying the center。
6
The valley spirit has no death
It is appropriately called the all…embracing female
The gateway of The all…embracing female
Is appropriately called the root of heavens and earth。
Continuous； soft； it looks like it exists…
It is infrequently used。
7
Heavens； growth； earth； longevity。
In heavens and earth's place
That which is able to grow and further be long…lasting happens
And something lacking existence of a self happens
So it is able to grow and give birth。
Appropriately it happens that sages
Put their bodies behind yet their bodies are ahead
Put their bodies outside yet their bodies are kept in。
Does it not happen they are absent of anomalous self…interest？
So they are able to perfect self…interest。
8
Better value looks like water
The value if water profits the 10000 things yet without contending
It dwells in places the collective mind dislikes…
So it is severed； relating to tao。
The value of a home is in location
The value of a mind is in breadth
The value of a relationship is in humanity
The value of a word is in belief
The value of a government is in governing
The value of an effort is in ability
The value of a movement is in time。
In the end only be without contending
So be absent from reproach。
9
Holding yet being full
Lacks compare to not yet being so
A sword blade being oversharpened
Cannot long remain so
A living room full of gold and jade
There is noone able to guard it
Abundant treasures yet arrogance
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