29
Apr

Without seeking acclaim

by Adrian Hoe at 21:25 categories Blogging, Life, Training    

Sensei sent me the Rosenthal Translation of Tao Te Ching (Chapter 3):

By retaining his humility,
the talented person who is also wise,
reduces rivalry.

The person who possesses many things,
but does not boast of his possessions,
reduces temptation, and reduces stealing.

Those who are jealous of the skills or things
possessed by others,
most easily themselves become possessed by envy.

Satisfied with his possessions,
the sage eliminates the need to steal;
at one with the Tao,
he remains free of envy,
and has no need of titles.

By being supple, he retains his energy.
He minimizes his desires,
and does not train himself in guile,
nor subtle words of praise.
By not contriving, he retains
the harmony of his inner world,
and so remains at peace within himself.

It is for reasons such as these,
that an administration
which is concerned
with the welfare of those it serves,
does not encourage status
and titles to be sought,
nor encourage rivalry.

Ensuring a sufficiency for all
helps in reducing discontent.

Administrators who are wise
do not seek honors for themselves,
nor act with guile
towards the ones they serve.

Here is the original text in simplified Chinese:

老 子: 「道 德 经」 : 第 三 章
不 尚 贤 ， 使 民 不 争
不 贵 难 得 之 货 ， 使 民 不 为 盗 ﹔
不 见 可 欲 ， 使 民 心 不 乱 。

是 以 圣 人 之 治 ，
虚 其 心 ，
实 其 腹 ，
弱 其 志 ，
强 其 骨 。

常 使 民 无 知 无 欲 。
使 夫 智 者 不 敢 为 也 。
为 无 为 ， 则 无 不 治 。

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