Religion

Chapter 81

by Laozi (Lao Tzu) traditionally 6th century BC

Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)

Religion

Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere. Those who are skilled (in the Tao) do not dispute (about it); the disputatious are not skilled in it. Those who know (the Tao) are not extensively learned; the extensively learned do not know it.

The sage does not accumulate (for himself). The more that he expends for others, the more does he possess of his own; the more that he gives to others, the more does he have himself.

With all the sharpness of the Way of Heaven, it injures not; with all the doing in the way of the sage he does not strive.

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Prose translation of a largely rhymed original, with occasional rhymed renderings by Legge; words in parentheses are his supplied additions.

MLA

Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 81.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/80/.

Chicago

Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 81.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/80/.

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