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Do not reduce the living space of their dwellings。 Do no oppress their lives。 It is because you do not oppress them that they are not oppressed。
Therefore the sage knows himself but does not show himself。 He loves himself but does not exalt himself。 Therefore he rejects the one but accepts the other。
73
He who is brave in daring will be killed。 He who is brave in not daring will live。
Of these two； one is advantageous and one is harmful。 Who knows why Heaven dislikes what it dislikes？ Even the sage considers it a difficult question。
The Way of Heaven does not compete； and yet is skillfully achieves victory。 It does not speak； and yet it skillfully responds to things。 It comes to you without your invitation。 It is not anxious about things and yet it plans well。
Heaven's net is indeed vast。 Though its meshes are wide； it misses nothing。
74
The people are not afraid of death。 Why； then； threaten them with death？
Suppose the people are always afraid of death and we can seize those who are vicious and kill them； Who would dare to do so？
There is always the master executioner （Heaven） who kills。 To undertake executions for the master executioner is like hewing wood for the master carpenter。 Whoever undertakes hewing wood for the master carpenter rarely escapes injuring his own hands。
75
The people starve because the ruler eats too much tax…grain。 Therefore they starve。
They are difficult to rule because their ruler does too many things。 Therefore they are difficult to rule。
The people take death lightly because their ruler strives for life too vigorously。 Therefore they take death lightly。 It is only those who do not seek after life that excel in making life valuable。
76
When man is born； he is tender and weak。 At death he is stiff and hard。
All things； the grass as well as the trees； are tender and supple while alive。 When dead； they are withered and dried。
Therefore the stiff and the hard are companions of death。 The tender and the weak are companions of life。
Therefore； if the army is strong； it will not win。 If a tree is stiff； it will break。
The strong and the great are inferior； while the tender and the weak are superior。
77
Heaven's Way is indeed like the bending of a bow。 When （the string） is high； bring it down。 When it is low； raise it up。 When it is excessive； reduce it。 When it is insufficient； supplement it。
The Way of Heaven reduces whatever is excessive and supplements whatever in insufficient。 The way of man is different。 It reduces the insufficient to offer to the excessive。
Who is able to have excess to offer to the world？ Only the man of Tao。
Therefore the sage acts； but does not rely on his own ability。 He accomplishes his task； but does not claim credit for it。 He has no desire to display his excellence。
78
There is nothing softer and weaker than water； And yet there is nothing better for attacking hard and strong things。 For this reason there is no substitute for it。
All the world knows that the weak overcomes the strong and the soft overcomes the hard。 But none can practice it。
Therefore the sage says： He who suffers disgrace for his country Is called the lord of the land。 He who takes upon himself the country's misfortunes Becomes the king of the empire。 Straight words seem to be their opposite。
79
To patch up great hatred is surely to leave some hatred behind。 How can this be regarded as good？
Therefore the sage keeps the left…hand portion （obligation） of a contract And does not blame the other party。
Virtuous people attend to their left…hand portions； While those without virtue attend to other people's mistakes。
〃The Way of Heaven has not favourites。 It is always with the good man。〃
80
Let there be a small country with few people。 Let there be ten times and a hundred times as many utensils。 But let them not be used。 Let the people value their lives highly and not migrate far。
Even if there are ships and carriages； none will ride in them。 Even if there are arrows and weapons； none will display them。
Let the people again knot cords and use them （in place of writing）。 Let them relish their food； beautify their clothing； be content with their homes； and delight in their customs。
Though neighbouring communities overlook one another and the crowing of cocks and the barking of dogs can be heard； Yet the people there may grow old and die without ever visiting one another。
81
True words are not beautiful； Beautiful words are not true。
A good man does not argue； He who argues is not a good man。
A wise man has no extensive knowledge； He who has extensive knowledge is not a wise man。
The sage does not accumulate for himself。 The more he uses for others； the more he possesses of his own。
The Way of Heaven is to benefit others and not to injure。 The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete。
English_Cheng_TTK
Das Tao Te King von Lao Tse
English by Cheng
1
Tao that can be described is not the universal and eternal Tao；
Name that can be named is not the universal and eternal name。
The beginning of Heaven and Earth is nameless；
The mother of everything is naming。
Thus：
Be always objective； one discover the wonders；
Be always subjective； one only sees the manifestations。
Both emerge from the same source； but with different names。
Both are mysterious。
The mystery hidden inside of mysteries
Is the door to all wonders。
2
When the world knows what beauty is； then there is ugliness；
When the world knows what good is； then there is evil。
Thus：
Being and Non…being produce each other；
Difficult and easy complement each other；
Long and short calibrate each other；
High and low contrast each other；
Music and noise harmonize each other； and
Front and back accompany each other。
Therefore the sage chooses to：
Manage affairs by taking no action；
Teach without words；
Allow all things to develop； but no to start；
Produce； but not to possess；
Care for； but not to master；
Complete work； but not to claim credit；
By not claiming credit； his credit will not be lost。
3
Do not ennoble achievers； so the people will not become contentious；
Do not value rare commodities； so the people will not be tempted to steal；
Do not display temptations； so the people抯 minds will not be disturbed。
Therefore； a wise ruler would：
Humble the people抯 minds；
Fill their stomachs；
Weaken their ambitions； and
Strengthen their bodies。
Always keep the people ignorant and devoid of desire；
Even the cunning ones dare not agitate。
Achieve the ideal of taking no action；
Then there will be no misgoverned state。
4
Tao is empty； yet forever inexhaustible。
It is so far…reaching； the source for everything。
Blunting sharpnesses； resolving conflicts； softening lights。
It thus harmonizes the dusty world。
So deep and profound；