Religion
Chapter 29
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
If any one should wish to get the kingdom for himself, and to effect this by what he does, I see that he will not succeed. The kingdom is a spirit-like thing, and cannot be got by active doing. He who would so win it destroys it; he who would hold it in his grasp loses it.
The course and nature of things is such that
What was in front is now behind;
What warmed anon we freezing find.
Strength is of weakness oft the spoil;
The store in ruins mocks our toil.
Hence the sage puts away excessive effort, extravagance, and easy indulgence.
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 29.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/28/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 29.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/28/.
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