Today I had a wonderful Tao of the Day as I switched from Mitchell to the '94 Derek Lin translation. I had Loyce join me with #28 and after no word for a while I hosted Mary K with #23. Julie and Kelly then joined me with #71 and #15. The my 2 experts Dr. Rao and Bella had a little chat with me before Charente and Kathryn came on for #24 and #18.
#15
The Tao masters of antiquity
(are) Subtle wonders through mystery.
(They express) Depths that cannot be discerned,
Because one cannot discern them
[Therefore] one is forced to describe their appearance;
Hesitant, like crossing a wintry river
Cautious, like fearing four neighbors
Solemn, like a guest
Loose, like ice about to melt
Genuine, like plain wood
Open, like a valley
Opaque, like muddy water
Who can be muddled yet desist
In stillness gradually become clear?
Who can be serene yet persist
In motion gradually come alive?
One who holds this Tao does not wish to be overfilled;
Because one is not overfilled
Therefore one can preserve and not create anew.
#18
(When) The great Tao fades away
There is benevolence and justice.
(When) Intelligence comes forth
There is great deception.
(When) The six relations are not harmonious
There is filial piety and kind affection.
(When) The country is in confused chaos
There are loyal ministers.
#23
Sparse speech is natural.
Thus strong wind does not last all morning
(and) Sudden rain does not last all day.
What makes this so? Heaven and earth!
Even heaven and earth cannot make (them) last
(so) How can humans?
Thus those who follow the Tao, are with the Tao.
Those who follow virtue, are with virtue.
Those who follow loss, are with loss.
Those who are with the Tao, the Tao is also pleased to have them.
Those who are with virtue, virtue is also pleased to have them.
Those who are with loss, loss is also please to have them.
Those who do not trust sufficiently, others have no trust in them.
#24
Those who are on tiptoes cannot stand.
Those who straddle cannot walk.
Those who flaunt themselves are not clear.
Those who presume themselves are not distinguished.
Those who praise themselves have no merit.
Those who boast about themselves do not last.
Those with the Tao call such things leftover food or tumors,
They despise them.
Thus, those who possesses the Tao do not engage in them.
#28
Know the masculine, (yet) hold to the feminine
(and) Be the watercourse of the world,
(by) Being the watercourse of the world
The eternal virtue does not depart
(and you) Return to the state of the infant.
Know the white, hold to the black
(and) Be the standard of the world,
(by) Being the standard of the world
The eternal virtue does not deviate
(and you) Return to the state of the boundless.
Know the honor, (yet) hold to the dishonor
(and) Be the valley of the world
Being the valley of the world
The eternal virtue shall be sufficient
(and you) Return to the state of plain wood.
Plain wood splits, then becomes tools
The sages utilize them
And then become leaders
Thus the greater whole is undivided
#71
To know that you do not know is highest
To not know but think you know is flawed
Only when one recognizes the fault as a fault
Can one be without fault
The sages are without fault
Because they recognize the fault as a fault
That is why they are without fault
