<< Dao De Jing / 道德經 >>
Chapter 7
天长地久。天地所以能长且久者，以其不自生，故能长生。是以圣人后其身而身先，外其身而身存。非以其无私邪？故能成其私。
The Universe is everlasting
And the reason for that is it doesn’t have self-centered striving
Therefore, the wise stays behind; thus, he/she is ahead
They see themselves as the least, thus they become the greatest
They are detached, and therefore they are at one with all
Through selfless existence, they attain fulfillment
Chapter 8
上善若水。水善利万物而不争，处众人之所恶，故几于道。居善地，心善渊，与善仁，言善信，正善治，事善能，动善时。夫唯不争，故无尤。
The most compassionate is like water
Water benefits all things, yet competes with nothing
It stays in the lowliest place, where all people disdain
But in this way it never wanders off the Way
In dwelling, be close to the earth
In meditation, go deep into the profound
In association, be gentle and kind
In speech, only speaks the truth
In leadership, be fair and just
In daily life, be capable
In activity, abide by the season and timing
Don’t fight, thus causing no dissonance
Chapter 9
持而盈之，不如其已。揣而锐之，不可长保。金玉满堂，莫之能守。富贵而骄，自遗其咎。功成身退，天之道。
Better to stop short than fill to the brim
Oversharpen a sword, and the edge will soon blunt
Amass a houseful of valuables, and you are inviting troubles
Claim wealth and titles, and you are asking for sorrows
Retire when the work is done
Such is the way of Dao
Chapter 10
载营魄抱一，能无离乎？专气致柔，能婴儿乎？涤除玄览，能无疵乎？爱民治国，能无知乎？天门开阖，能无雌乎？明白四达，能无为乎？生之、畜之，生而不有，为而不恃，长而不宰，是谓玄德。
Unifying the mind and body, embracing the one
Can you never for a moment separate from them?
Remaining mindful and supple
Can you transform yourself into a newborn?
Cleansing and purifying the vision
Can you attain spotless insight?
Loving the people and ruling the country
Can you do so without self-interest?
Going in and out of the narrow gate of Heaven
Can you perform with ease?
Being all seeing and all knowing
Can you refrain from the desire to act on it?
Creating and cultivating, yet never possessing
Working and contributing, yet never taking credit
Leading and supporting, yet never controlling
Such is the fundamental De – the essential Virtue
Chapter 11
三十辐共一毂，当其无，有车之用。埏埴以为器，当其无，有器之用。凿户牖以为室，当其无，有室之用。故有之以为利，无之以为用。
A wheel consists of thirty spokes and a hub
It is the cavity in the center that makes it work
A vessel is shaped by clay
It is the space within that determines its utility
A room is complete once the door and windows are cut out
Yet the emptiness inside is where you will reside
Therefore, being may be necessary
But it is nonbeing that makes it work
Chapter 12
五色令人目盲，五音令人耳聋，五味令人口爽，驰骋畋猎令人心发狂，难得之货令人行妨。是以圣人为腹不为目，故去彼取此。
Colors dazzle the vision
Tones deafen the hearing
Flavors dull the taste
Thoughts unhinge the mind
Desires lead one astray
Therefore, the wise feed on non-indulgence
A great life is all about renunciation and moderation
Buddha Mind