Religion
Chapter 47
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
Without going outside his door, one understands (all that takes place) under the sky; without looking out from his window, one sees the Tao of Heaven. The farther that one goes out (from himself), the less he knows.
Therefore the sages got their knowledge without travelling; gave their (right) names to things without seeing them; and accomplished their ends without any purpose of doing so.
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 47.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/46/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 47.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/46/.
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