Religion
Chapter 6
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
The valley spirit dies not, aye the same;
The female mystery thus do we name.
Its gate, from which at first they issued forth,
Is called the root from which grew heaven and earth.
Long and unbroken does its power remain,
Used gently, and without the touch of pain.
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 6.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/5/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 6.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/5/.
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