Religion
Chapter 12
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
Colour's five hues from th' eyes their sight will take;
Music's five notes the ears as deaf can make;
The flavours five deprive the mouth of taste;
The chariot course, and the wild hunting waste
Make mad the mind; and objects rare and strange,
Sought for, men's conduct will to evil change.
Therefore the sage seeks to satisfy (the craving of) the belly, and not the (insatiable longing of the) eyes. He puts from him the latter, and prefers to seek the former.
Codex Note
Prose translation of a largely rhymed original, with occasional rhymed renderings by Legge; words in parentheses are his supplied additions.
Cite this poem
MLA
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 12.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/11/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 12.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/11/.
Read this poem with the Codex →