Religion
Chapter 26
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
Gravity is the root of lightness; stillness, the ruler of movement.
Therefore a wise prince, marching the whole day, does not go far from his baggage waggons. Although he may have brilliant prospects to look at, he quietly remains (in his proper place), indifferent to them. How should the lord of a myriad chariots carry himself lightly before the kingdom? If he do act lightly, he has lost his root (of gravity); if he proceed to active movement, he will lose his throne.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
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 26.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/25/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 26.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/25/.
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