The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tao Teh King, by Lao-Tze This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Tao Teh King Author: Lao-Tze Release Date: July 12, 2008 [EBook #216] Language: English Character set encoding: ASCII *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TAO TEH KING *** Produced by Gregory Walker, and David Widger THE TAO TEH KING, OR THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS by Lao-Tse Translated by James Legge Contents PART 1. PART II. PART 1. Ch. 1. 1. The Tao that can be trodden is not the enduring and unchanging Tao. The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name. 2. (Conceived of as) having no name, it is the Originator of heaven and earth; (conceived of as) having a name, it is the Mother of all things. 3. Always without desire we must be found, If its deep mystery we would sound; But if desire always within us be, Its outer fringe is all that we shall see. 4. Under these two aspects, it is really the same; but as development takes place, it receives the different names. Together we call them the Mystery. Where the Mystery is the deepest is the gate of all that is subtle and wonderful. 2. 1.