When the intelligent and animal souls are held together
in one embrace, they can be kept from separating.
When one gives undivided attention to the vital breath,
and brings it to the utmost degree of pliancy, he can
become as a tender babe.
When he has cleansed away the most mysterious sights of
his imagination, he can become without a flaw.
In loving the people and ruling the state, cannot he proceed
without any purpose of action?
In the opening and shutting of his gates of heaven, cannot he
do so as a female bird?
While his intelligence reaches in every direction, cannot he
appear to be without knowledge?
The Tao produces all things and nourishes them;
it produces them and does not claim them as its own;
it does all, and yet does not boast of it; it presides over all,
and yet does not control them.
This is what is called the mysterious quality of the Tao.
Lao Tzu
Namaste
Mark
Thank you for sharing your path on the highway of many paths! This small birds asks, ‘Please, I would like to know the translator of this piece?’ in gratitude, always.
eteal, I believe the translator was J Legge but i’m not 100% sure because I have so many Lao Tzu quotes, some we have translated ourselves and others by friends. We live in China and speak Chinese. I do hope this helps?
Namaste
Mark