Religion
Chapter 70
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
My words are very easy to know, and very easy to practise; but there is no one in the world who is able to know and able to practise them.
There is an originating and all-comprehending (principle) in my words, and an authoritative law for the things (which I enforce). It is because they do not know these, that men do not know me.
They who know me are few, and I am on that account (the more) to be prized. It is thus that the sage wears (a poor garb of) hair cloth, while he carries his (signet of) jade in his bosom.
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 70.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/69/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 70.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/69/.
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