道德经 Dao De Jing (Pocket Book)
By Laozi & Gewei Ye
"Compass" for Investing & Trading
Wisdom Companion of PNN Terminal
Organic "Sleep Aid"
Mother of Tai Chi & Longevity Medicine
八段锦 两翼混元功 精氣神回春功
Pocket Book for Problem Solving
Enlighten All Beings
2 Precise Concise Translations
Effective after Reading 5 Times
Chapter 1 Unconsciousness 无意识
Original Translation English
道可道 可以语言交流的道 The Dao that can be communicated through language
非常道 非真正意义上的道 is not the Dao in its truest sense.
名可名 可以明确定义的名 The Name that can be clearly defined
非常名 非真正意义上的名 is not the Name in its truest sense.
无名天地之始 天地在开始时并无名称 In the beginning, Heaven and Earth were without names
有名万物之母 名只是为了万物的归属 names exist only for the purpose of classifying all things.
故常无欲以观其妙 因此常用无意识以发现其奥妙 Therefore, one often uses unconsciousness (beyond language) to discover its mystery,
常有欲以观其徼 常用有意识以归属其范围 and consciousness (language) to define its boundaries.
两者同出异名 两种思维模式同出自一个地方但概念却不相同 Two modes of thinking arise from the same source, yet their concepts are different.
同谓玄之又玄 这就是玄之又玄的玄关窍 This is the profound gateway, the mystery beyond all mysteries.
众妙之门 它是打开一切奥妙的不二法门 It is one and only key to unlocking all wonders.
Chapter 2 Co-existence 相生 & Merit 功成
Original Translation English
天下皆知美之为美 天下皆知美之所以为美 When everyone in the world recognizes beauty for what it is,
斯恶已 是因为丑恶的心灵在作崇 it is because the concept of ugliness has been created.
皆知善之为善 皆知善之所以为善 When everyone recognizes goodness for what it is,
斯不善已 是因为不善的意念在作怪 it is because the concept of non-goodness has come to be.
故有无相生 因此而产生了有无相生 Thus, existence and non-existence give birth to one another;
难易相成 难易相成 Difficulty and ease complete one another;
长短相形 长短相形 Long and short give shape to one another;
高下相倾 高下相倾 High and low incline towards one another;
音声相和 音声相和 Music and voice harmonize with one another;
前后相随 前后相随等各种患得患失的主观意识 Before and after follow one another.
是以圣人 但是圣人 Therefore, the Sage:
处无为之事 处于无区别心之无为境界 Manages affairs by being in a state of non-discriminating action (wu wei).
行不言之教 教化众生于不言之中 Practices a teaching that is beyond words.
万物作焉而不辞 顺应万物的发展规律而不横加干涉 He allows all things to follow their natural course without interference.
生而不有 生养万物而不据为己有 He nurtures all things but does not claim them as his own.
为而不恃 竭尽全力而不自恃已能 He acts with full effort but is not attached to his own ability.
功成而弗居 功成业就而不居功自傲 He accomplishes great things but does not take credit for them.
夫为弗居 正因为他不居功自傲 Precisely because he does not take credit,
是以不去 所以他不会失去什么 his merit is never taken away.
Chapter 3 Governing Nation 治理国家
Original Translation English
不尚贤 不刻意招贤 Do not deliberately promote the talented,
使民不争 使民众不去争名 and the people will not compete for fame.
不贵难得之货 不稀罕难得之货 Do not treasure goods that are hard to obtain,
使民不为盗 使民众不为盗 and the people will not turn to theft.
不见可欲 不见引发欲望的根源 Do not show them the sources of desire,
使心不乱 就不会产生动乱的动机 and the motivation for chaos will not arise.
是以圣人之治 所以圣人的治理方法是 Therefore, the Sage’s method of governance is:
虚其心、实其腹 普及虚心、养身的道理 To popularize the principles of an open mind and a nourished body,
弱其智、强其骨 宣传弱智、强骨的好处 To promote the benefits of softened ambition and strong bones.
常使民无知无欲 常使人民深刻感悟无知无欲的益处 He constantly helps the people to deeply realize the advantages of being without worldly knowledge and desire,
使夫知者不敢为也 使那些自作聪明的人无用武之地 so that those who think themselves clever have no opportunity to act.
为无为 以无为的境界处理政务 When you govern from a state of non-action (wu wei),
则无不治 国家就没有治理不好的理由 there is no reason for the nation not to be well-governed.
Chapter 4 Functions of Dao 道的功能
Original Translation English
道冲 道似一个器皿 The Tao is like a vessel,
似万物之宗 好像万物的根源 it seems to be the source of all things.
渊兮 它浩瀚无边啊 It is vast and boundless,
而用之或不盈 永远取之不尽 forever inexhaustible.
挫其锐 压制锋芒 It blunts sharp edges,
解其纷 解脱纷扰 resolves entanglements,
和其光 和顺光辉 harmonizes with the light,
同其尘 混同尘垢 and becomes one with the dust.
湛兮 高深莫测啊 So profound and unfathomable,
似若存 好像无处不在 it seems to be everywhere at once.
吾不知谁之子 我虽然不知它的来源 Although I do not know its origin,
象帝之先 但它却先于上帝 it existed before God.
Chapter 5 Inner Silence 守中 言多必失
Original Translation English
天地不仁 天地超越仁的概念 Heaven and Earth transcend the concept of benevolence;
以万物为刍狗 任凭万物像草狗那样自生自灭 they allow all things, like straw dogs, to be born and to perish on their own.
圣人不仁 圣人超越仁的概念 The Sage transcends the concept of benevolence;
以百姓为刍狗 任凭百姓自作自息 he allows the people to act and to rest on their own.
天地之间 天地之间的一切生命 All of life between Heaven and Earth
其犹橐龠乎 犹如风箱一样 is like a bellows:
虚而不淈 虚空但无穷尽 empty, yet inexhaustible;
动之愈出 越动付出愈多 the more it moves, the more it yields.
多言数穷 言多必然有失 Too many words will surely lead to failure.
不如守中 不如抱心守一 It is better to hold to the center (Inner Silence: Talk less, listen more. Think less, be more present. React less, observe more. Abandon the chaotic periphery of the mind and return to the calm, silent core of your being).
Chapter 6 Longevity 长寿
Original Translation English
谷神不死 掌握采集大道能量的方法就可以长寿 To master the method of gathering the energy of the Great Dao is to achieve longevity.
是谓玄牝 就好比掌握了复制生命的方法 It is like mastering the method of replicating life.
玄牝之门 复制生命的不二法门 This singular method of replicating life
是谓天地根 是与天地同寿的根本 is the fundamental root of living as long as Heaven and Earth.
绵绵若存 绵绵不断的生命形式就是这样存在的 Life forms exist in this continuous, unbroken way;
用之不勤 大道的能量是用之不竭的 the energy of the Great Dao is inexhaustible.
Chapter 7 Humbleness & Selflessness 谦让 & 无私
Original Translation English
天长地久 天长地久 Heaven is eternal and Earth is everlasting.
天地之所以能长且久者 天地之所以能长久 The reason Heaven and Earth can endure
以其不自生 因为它不为自己而生 is because they do not exist for themselves;
故能长生 所以能长生 therefore, they can live on and on.
是以圣人 因此圣人 For this reason, the Sage:
后其身而身先 因为谦让反而获得人民的拥戴 because he is humble, he in turn wins the people's support;
外其身而身存 置之身外反而让人民依赖他的存在 by putting his own self aside, he in turn makes the people rely on his existence.
非以其无私邪 难道不是这种无私的精神 Is it not precisely because of this selfless spirit
故能成其私 反而成全了圣人的理想吗 that the Sage is able to fulfill his own ideals?
Chapter 8 Water 水 as Dao 道
Original Translation English
上善若水 上等的善就如水一样 The highest good is like water.
水善 水善的表现形式是 The goodness of water is expressed in this way:
利万物而不争 滋养万物而不争功 It nourishes all things without competing for credit.
处众人之所恶 甘居众人之所唾弃 It willingly stays in the places that all people despise.
故几于道 所以水最接近于大道 Therefore, it is the closest thing to the Dao.
居善地 起居善于选择吉地 In dwelling, it excels at choosing the right place.
心善渊 心态善于融入平静 In heart, it excels at being profoundly serene.
与善仁 交流善于把握仁爱 In interactions, it excels at embodying benevolence.
言善信 言语善于表达诚信 In words, it excels at expressing sincerity.
正善治 政见善于治理国家 In governance, it excels at creating order.
事善能 处事善于发挥能量 In affairs, it excels at applying its energy.
动善时 行动善于把握时机 In action, it excels at seizing the right moment.
夫唯不争 惟有像水这样不争 It is only because, like water, it does not compete,
故无尤 所以才能万事无忧 that it can be free from all worries.
Chapter 9 Withdraw Success & Fame 功成身退
Original Translation English
持而盈之 财物执持盈满 To hold on to wealth until it overflows
不如其已 不如适可而止 is not as good as stopping at the right time.
揣而锐之 铁器磨得锐利 A blade sharpened to its keenest edge
不可长保 不可长期保存 cannot be preserved for long.
金玉满堂 金玉堆满堂屋 When gold and jade fill the hall,
莫之能守 不知谁人能守 no one can guard it all.
富贵而娇 富贵而生骄横 To become arrogant from wealth and honor
自贻其咎 那是自找麻烦 is to ask for trouble for oneself.
功成身退 功成名就身退 To withdraw after achieving success and fame
天之道 才是自然之道 that is the Dao - Way of Nature.
Chapter 10 De (Virtue) 德
Original Translation English
载营魄抱一 精神与形体统一 By unifying spirit and body,
能无离乎 能永远不分离吗 can you keep them from ever separating?
专气致柔 结聚精气以致柔和 By concentrating your vital energy (qi) to achieve softness,
能婴儿乎 能像初生的婴儿吗 can you become like a newborn infant?
涤除玄监 洗涤心灵之镜 By cleansing the mirror of your mind,
能无疵乎 能没有瑕疵吗 can you leave it without a single flaw?
爱民治国 爱护百姓治理国家 By loving the people and governing the state,
能无为乎 能顺应自然吗 can you do so in harmony with nature?
天门开阖 感官自然开启 When your senses naturally open to the world,
能无雌乎 能不被引诱吗 can you remain free from temptation?
明白四达 理事明白通达 When you understand all matters with clarity,
能无知乎 能没有成见吗 can you do so without preconceived notions?
生之畜之 创造并养育万物的大道 The Great Dao creates and nurtures all things.
生而不有 创造万物而不占为己有 It creates them but does not possess them.
为而不恃 无所不能而不自恃有功 It is capable of anything but does not take credit for its achievements.
长而不宰 左右万物而不任意宰割 It guides all things but does not arbitrarily dominate them.
是谓玄德 这就是恩泽天下的玄德 This is the Profound Virtue that blesses the world.
Chapter 11 Empty Space 空
Original Translation English
卅辐共一毂 卅根辐条围成一个轱辘 Thirty spokes surround a single hub,
当其无有车之用 因为中间有空车才能行进 but it is because of the empty space in the center that the cart can move.
然埴以为器 燃烧粘土使其成为器皿 Clay is fired to become a vessel,
当其无有器之用 因为中间有空器皿才能容纳 but it is because of the empty space within that the vessel can hold things.
凿户牖以为室 开凿门窗建造居室 Doors and windows are cut to build a room,
当其无有室之用 因为中间有空居室才有光明 but it is because of the empty space inside that the room has light.
故有之以为利 有形的东西之所以被人们利用 The reason tangible things are utilized by people
无之以为用 是因为看不见的无形在起作用 is because the unseen and formless is what is truly at work.
Chapter 12 Inner Substance 充实 & Superficial Pleasure 愉悦
Original Translation English
五色令人目盲 贪图美色令人看不清丑恶 Craving beautiful sights makes one blind to ugliness;
五音令人耳聋 喜闻顺音令人听不到忠言 Loving pleasing sounds makes one deaf to honest advice;
五味令人口爽 美味佳肴令人品不了疾苦 Fine delicacies numb the palate to the taste of hardship;
驰骋田猎令人心发狂 驰骋田猎令人心狂意躁 Racing and hunting makes the heart wild and agitated;
难得之货令人行妨 难得之货令人图谋不轨 Rare treasures lead one to plot wrongdoing.
是以圣人之治 因此圣人治理国家 Therefore, when the Sage governs,
为腹不为目 重视内在的充实而放弃表面的愉悦 he values inner substance and gives up superficial pleasure.
故去彼取此 所以知道如何舍得 This is why he knows what to let go of and what to keep.
Chapter 13 Gain & Loss 得失
Original Translation English
宠辱若惊 宠辱若惊 "Favor and disgrace are equally startling."
贵大患若身 贵大患若身 "Value great trouble as you value your body."
何谓宠辱若惊 什么叫宠辱若惊 What is meant by "favor and disgrace are equally startling"?
辱为下 把荣辱看得比生命都重要 It means to regard honor and shame as more important than life itself.
得之若惊 得到了无比惊喜 To receive them brings immense surprise;
失之若惊 失去了无比惊恐 to lose them brings immense terror.
是谓宠辱若惊 这就叫宠辱若惊 This is what is meant by "favor and disgrace are equally startling."
何谓贵大患若身 什么叫贵大患若身 What is meant by "value great trouble as you value your body"?
吾所以有大患者 我所以有强烈患得患失的心态 The reason I have such intense anxiety over gain and loss
为吾有身 因为我有自我的观念 is because I possess the concept of a "self."
及吾无身 如果我抛开自我 If I were to let go of the self,
吾有何患 我还有什么理由患得患失 what reason would I have to fear gain and loss?
故贵以身为天下 所以重视自身为天下的人 Therefore, the person who values their own self for the sake of the world
则可寄于天下 才可以把天下寄于他 can have the world entrusted to them.
爱以身为天下者 爱惜自身为天下的人 The person who cherishes their own self for the sake of the world
乃可以托于天下 才可以把天下托付给他 can have the world given over to them.
Chapter 14 Way of Nature 自然之道
Original Translation English
视之不见 看不到图象 What cannot be seen
名曰夷 称着夷 is called Yi (the Level).
听之不闻 听不到声音 What cannot be heard
名曰希 称着希 is called Xi (the Rarefied).
抟之不得 触不到形体 What cannot be touched
名曰微 称着微 is called Wei (the Subtle).
此三者不可致诘 此无色、无声、无形之物无法用语言描述 This colorless, soundless, formless thing cannot be described in words;
故混而为一 只能称它为阴阳未判之混元一气 it can only be called the Primordial, Undifferentiated Oneness before yin and yang separated.
其上不谬 它的上面不见光明 Its top is not bright;
其下不昧 它的下面不见黑暗 its bottom is not dark.
绳绳不可名 实在是无法给它下定义 It is truly impossible to define it;
复归于无物 还是把它复归于无物吧 let's just return it to the state of Nothingness.
是谓无状之状 这应该是无状态之状态 This is the state of no-state,
无物之象 无物象之物象 the image of no-image.
是谓恍惚 这就是似无似有的恍惚 This is the elusive and indistinct.
迎之不见其首 往前追溯不知何时开始 Go back to trace it, and you cannot see its beginning.
随之不见其后 往后跟随不知何时结束 Follow it forward, and you cannot see its end.
执古之道 掌握上古的自然之道 To grasp the ancient, natural Way
以御今之有 以驾御今天的生命之有 in order to master the realities of life today,
以知古始 以感知上古的来龙去脉 and to perceive the ancient origins of all things—
是谓道纪 这就是自然之道的纲纪 this is the guiding principle of the Way of Nature.
Chapter 15 Cultivating Dao 修道
Original Translation English
古之善为道者 古时善于修道的人 Those of old who were skilled in cultivating Dao
微妙玄通 见解微妙而深远通达 had a subtle, profound, and penetrating understanding,
深不可识 给人一种高深莫测的感觉 giving them an unfathomable quality.
夫唯不可识 夫惟恐言不达意 Because it is so difficult to convey,
故强为之容 故努力为之形容 I will strive to describe them:
豫兮若冬涉川 开始学道者谨慎的象严冬过河 A beginner on the Path is cautious, as if crossing a river in winter,
犹兮若畏四邻 尤其惧怕邻里的干扰 especially fearful of the distractions of their surroundings.
俨兮其若客 严肃的好象虔诚的客人 They are solemn, like a reverent guest.
涣兮若冰之将释 继而他的性格会变的洒脱无羁涣然冰释 Later, their character becomes yielding and unrestrained, like melting ice.
敦兮其若朴 品质会变的敦厚诚恳朴实无华 Their quality becomes genuine and simple, like uncarved wood.
旷兮其若谷 心胸会变的旷达开朗虚怀若谷 Their heart becomes vast and open, like a great valley.
浑兮其若浊 意识会经历浑浊及混乱的考验 Their consciousness undergoes the test of turbidity and chaos.
孰能浊以止 如何将这种混乱的杂念止住呢 How can one still these chaotic, stray thoughts?
静之徐清 把心静下来漫漫就清澈了 By quieting the mind, clarity will gradually emerge.
孰能安以久 什么方法能保持安静状态长久 What method can maintain this quiet state for a long time?
动之徐生 感悟静极生动带来的生机 By perceiving the life force that arises when movement is born from extreme stillness.
保此道者不欲盈 保持这种方法修道的人不会骄傲自满 Those who maintain this method of cultivation will not become arrogant and full.
夫唯不盈 正因为他不会骄傲自满 Precisely because they are not full,
故能敝而新成 所以才能敝弃陈旧获得更新 they are able to cast off the old and be renewed.
Chapter 16 Emptiness Tranquility 虚静 (Investment)
Original Translation English
至虚极 修道进入虚无至极的意境 By cultivating the Dao, one enters a state of ultimate emptiness;
守静笃 安守宁静气定神闲 by guarding tranquility, one becomes calm and composed.
万物旁作 万物在时空的隧道中行进 All things journey through the tunnel of time and space,
吾以观其复 我可以反复观察他们的循环 and I can observe their cycles again and again.
夫物芸芸 天地万物芸芸众生 The myriad things of Heaven and Earth, all living beings,
各复归其根 各自都要归于它们的因果 must each return to their cause and effect.
归根曰静 看到因果可以说是静的作用 To perceive this cause and effect is the function of stillness;
静曰复命 只有静才能了解生命的真谛 only through stillness can one understand the true meaning of life.
复命曰常 生命的真谛就是变化的规律 The true meaning of life is the law of change.
知常曰明 了解变化规律才算通晓明白 To understand the law of change is to be truly enlightened.
不知常 如果不知道变化规律 If you do not know this law of change,
忘作凶 妄作非为自然带来凶险 reckless action will naturally lead to disaster.
知常容 知道变化规律才能包容一切 Knowing the law of change leads to embracing all things.
容乃公 包容一切才能公正豁达 Embracing all things leads to impartiality and open-mindedness.
公乃全 公正豁达才能完整周全 Impartiality leads to wholeness.
全乃天 完整周全才能符合自然 Wholeness leads to being in accord with Nature.
天乃道 符合自然就是遵循大道 Being in accord with Nature is to follow the Tao.
道乃久 遵循大道才能长治久安 Following the Tao leads to long-lasting peace and security.
没身不殆 终身都不会感觉到不妥 Throughout your entire life, you will never feel that anything is amiss.
Chapter 17 Rulers 君主
Original Translation English
太上，不知有之 最好的统治者，人民并不知道他的存在 With the best ruler, the people do not even know he exists.
其次，亲之誉之 其次的，人民近而赞美他 With the next best, the people are close to him and praise him.
其次，畏之 再次的，人民畏惧他 With the next, the people fear him.
其下，侮之 更次的，人民轻蔑他 And with the worst, the people despise him.
信不足焉 信用不足的君主 A ruler who lacks credibility
有不信焉 自然有不信任他的臣民 will naturally have subjects who do not trust him.
犹兮其贵言 谨慎做到不随意发号施令 The best ruler is cautious and refrains from issuing casual commands.
功成事遂 帮助人民实现心愿 He helps the people achieve their own aspirations,
百姓皆谓：“我自然” 百姓都说：“我们本来就是这样的” and the people all say: "This is just how we are naturally."

易经问卦ICO

解惑众生厚德载物(坤2卦) Kun 2nd Hexagram in the I Ching
Enlighten all beings | Great virtue bears all things