|
|
| Line 42: |
Line 42: |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| − | == The Sacred Chao Te Ching ==
| |
| | | | |
| − | === Chapter 1 === | + | == Sacred Chao Te Ching == |
| − | '''Original:'''
| |
| | | | |
| − | The Way that can be described is not the absolute Way;
| + | [[Chapters 1-10]] |
| − | the name that can be given is not the absolute name.
| |
| − | Nameless it is the source of heaven and earth;
| |
| − | named it is the mother of all things.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Whoever is desireless, sees the essence of life.
| |
| − | Whoever desires, sees its manifestations.
| |
| − | These two are the same,
| |
| − | but what is produced has names.
| |
| − | They both may be called the cosmic mystery:
| |
| − | from the cosmic to the mystical
| |
| − | is the door to the essence of all life.
| |
| | | | |
| | + | [[Chapters 11-20]] |
| | | | |
| − | '''Our Translation:'''
| + | [[Chapters 21-30]] |
| | | | |
| − | The Universe that can be described is not the real Universe;
| + | [[Chapters 31-40]] |
| − | the name that can be given is not an accurate name.
| |
| − | Nameless it is the source of order and disorder;
| |
| − | named it is the mother of all things.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Whoever is disordered, sees the essence of life.
| |
| − | Whoever ordered, sees its manifestations.
| |
| − | These two are the same,
| |
| − | but what is produced has names.
| |
| − | They both may be called the comic mystery:
| |
| − | from the comic to the tragic
| |
| − | is the door to the essence of all life.
| |
| | | | |
| − | === Chapter 2 ===
| + | [[Chapters 41-50]] |
| | | | |
| − | '''Original:'''
| + | [[Chapters 51-60]] |
| − | When the people of the world all know beauty as beauty,
| |
| − | there arises the recognition of ugliness.
| |
| − | When they all know the good as good,
| |
| − | there arises the recognition of bad.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Therefore being and non-being produce each other;
| |
| − | difficult and easy complete each other;
| |
| − | long and short contrast each other;
| |
| − | high and low distinguish each other;
| |
| − | sound and voice harmonize with each other;
| |
| − | beginning and end follow each other.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Therefore the wise manage affairs without interfering
| |
| − | and teach beyond the words.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | All things rise, and they do not turn away from them.
| |
| − | They give them life, but do not take possession of them.
| |
| − | They act, but do not rely on their own ability.
| |
| − | They accomplish, but claim no credit.
| |
| − | Because they claim no credit,
| |
| − | their accomplishment remains with them.
| |
| | | | |
| | + | [[Chapters 61-70]] |
| | | | |
| − | '''Our Translation:'''
| + | [[Chapters 71-81]] |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | When the people of the world all know Order as Order,
| |
| − | there arises the recognition of Disorder.
| |
| − | When they all know there is such a thing as Illusion,
| |
| − | there arises the idea of Reality.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Therefore Order and Disorder produce each other,
| |
| − | Reality and Illusion trick each other,
| |
| − | Authority and Freedom define each other,
| |
| − | Love and Hate fuck each other.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | So the wise spags look for the balance,
| |
| − | And stick their wrench into the Machine™.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | They organize, but they do not Order.
| |
| − | They break apart, but they do not Disorder.
| |
| − | They act, but they KTFMS.
| |
| − | And so are able to act again.
| |
| − | | |
| − | === Chapter 3 ===
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Original:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | Do not exalt the worthy,
| |
| − | so that people will not compete.
| |
| − | Do not value rare treasure,
| |
| − | so that people will not steal.
| |
| − | Do not display objects of desire,
| |
| − | so that people's hearts will not be disturbed.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Therefore the wise lead by keeping
| |
| − | their hearts pure, their bellies full,
| |
| − | their ambitions weak, and their bones strong,
| |
| − | so that the people may be purified
| |
| − | of their thoughts and desires;
| |
| − | and the cunning ones will not interfere.
| |
| − | By acting without interfering, all may live in peace.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | '''Our Translation:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | If you put value
| |
| − | In subjective bullshit,
| |
| − | Lesser spags will treat it
| |
| − | Like objective Truth.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Therefore the wise spags lead
| |
| − | By knowing their Prison,
| |
| − | And keeping a Barstool close by,
| |
| − | To call the lesser spags on their bullshit;
| |
| − | And there will be no narcissism to exploit.
| |
| − | By understanding your Cell, you will understand others'.
| |
| − | | |
| − | === Chapter 4 ===
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Original:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | The Way is infinite; its use is never exhausted.
| |
| − | It is bottomless, like the fountainhead of all things.
| |
| − | It smoothes its roughness; it unties its tangles.
| |
| − | It softens its light; it calms its turmoil.
| |
| − | Deep and still, ever present.
| |
| − | I do not know its source.
| |
| − | It seems to have existed before the Lord.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | '''Our Translation:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | This is Chaos; it is Everything, including itself.
| |
| − | All of Starbuck's Pebbles come from it.
| |
| − | It confuses order, it arranges disorder.
| |
| − | It multiplies its opposite, it positively negates.
| |
| − | Lying below life, lining the world.
| |
| − | The origin of all patterns.
| |
| − | It has existed before we observed it.
| |
| − | | |
| − | === Chapter 5 ===
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Original:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | Nature is not humane.
| |
| − | It treats all things like sacrificial objects.
| |
| − | The wise are not humane.
| |
| − | They regard people like sacrificial objects.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | How the universe is like a bellows!
| |
| − | While empty, it is never exhausted.
| |
| − | The more it is worked, the more it produces.
| |
| − | Much talk brings exhaustion.
| |
| − | It is better to keep to the center.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | '''Our Translation:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | Life is unfair, wear a helmet.
| |
| − | The wise spag wears a helmet, but also drops hammers.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Chaos never ends!
| |
| − | Even its vacuum has a presence.
| |
| − | To struggle against it,
| |
| − | Is like pissing in the wind.
| |
| − | | |
| − | === Chapter 6 ===
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Original:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | The spirit of the valley never dies.
| |
| − | It is called the mystical female.
| |
| − | The door of the mystical female
| |
| − | is the root of heaven and earth.
| |
| − | It seems to be continuously within us.
| |
| − | Use it, and it will never fail.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | '''Our Translation:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | Says the prophet Old Dirty Bastard:
| |
| − | "I want pussy; pussy for me."
| |
| − | "I want pussy; pussy for free."
| |
| − | | |
| − | === Chapter 7 ===
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Original:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | Heaven is eternal, and the earth is very old.
| |
| − | They can be eternal and long lasting,
| |
| − | because they do not exist for themselves,
| |
| − | and for this reason can long endure.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Therefore the wise put themselves last,
| |
| − | but find themselves foremost.
| |
| − | They are indifferent to themselves,
| |
| − | and yet they always remain.
| |
| − | Is it not because they do not live for themselves
| |
| − | that they find themselves fulfilled?
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | '''Our Translation:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | The Universe outside your Prison Cell has gone on before you, and goes on after you.
| |
| − | It is as unfeeling and uncaring about itself as a barstool in midflight,
| |
| − | Approaching your head; your thoughts inside it affect nothing.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | So the wise Spags look outside their own brains,
| |
| − | And grasp the surrounding minds.
| |
| − | They see the Bars of their Black Iron Prison,
| |
| − | And so are able to see around them.
| |
| − | Because isn't the other way
| |
| − | Tatamount to masturbation?
| |
| − | | |
| − | === Chapter 8 ===
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Original:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | The best are like water.
| |
| − | Water benefits all things and does not compete with them.
| |
| − | It flows to the lowest level.
| |
| − | In this it comes near to the Way.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | In their dwellings, they love the earth.
| |
| − | In their hearts, they love what is profound.
| |
| − | In their friendship, they love humanity.
| |
| − | In their words, they love sincerity.
| |
| − | In government, they love peace.
| |
| − | In business, they love ability.
| |
| − | In their actions, they love timeliness.
| |
| − | It is because they do not compete
| |
| − | that there is no resentment.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | '''Our Translation:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | The best are like the Chao.
| |
| − | It balances the Order and the Disorder;
| |
| − | The escalation of Disorder,
| |
| − | And the impositon of Order,
| |
| − | Each adds to the other.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | As they live,
| |
| − | And as they travel,
| |
| − | They see the world as others would see Illusion.
| |
| − | Be the Illusion Eristic,
| |
| − | Or be it Aneristic,
| |
| − | They strive to complete the balance.
| |
| − | It's not their fault that the Aneristic works overtime.
| |
| − | | |
| − | === Chapter 9 ===
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Original:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | Stretch a bow to the very full,
| |
| − | and you will wish you had stopped in time.
| |
| − | Temper a sword-edge to its very sharpest,
| |
| − | and the edge will not last long.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | When gold and jade fill your hall,
| |
| − | you will not be able to keep them safe.
| |
| − | To be proud with honor and wealth
| |
| − | is to cause one's own downfall.
| |
| − | Withdraw as soon as your work is done.
| |
| − | Such is heaven's way.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | '''Our Translation:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | Write the longest, most wise essay
| |
| − | and no one will have time to read it.
| |
| − | Temper the truth to its very sharpest,
| |
| − | and you will cut both friend and foe.
| |
| − |
| |
| − | Mo money, mo problems.
| |
| − | Mo everything, mo problems.
| |
| − | Tis better to be able to disappear
| |
| − | in a puff of smoke
| |
| − | | |
| − | === Chapter 10 ===
| |
| − | | |
| − | '''Original:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | Can you embrace the One with your soul,
| |
| − | and never depart from the Way?
| |
| − | Can you concentrate your vital force
| |
| − | to achieve the gentleness of a new-born baby?
| |
| − | Can you cleanse and purify your mystic vision
| |
| − | until it is clear?
| |
| − | Can you love the people and govern the state
| |
| − | without interfering?
| |
| − | Can you play the role of the female
| |
| − | in opening and closing the doors of heaven?
| |
| − | Can you understand all and penetrate all
| |
| − | without using the mind?
| |
| − |
| |
| − | To give birth and to nourish,
| |
| − | to give birth without taking possession,
| |
| − | to act without obligation,
| |
| − | to lead without dominating---
| |
| − | this is mystical power.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | '''Our Translation:'''
| |
| − | | |
| − | Can you laugh so hard
| |
| − | that it sounds like screaming?
| |
| − | Can you snicker like a venerable fogey
| |
| − | while giggling like a newborn baby?
| |
| − | Can you look with eyes that will actually see?
| |
| − | Can you lead a cabal without dominating them?
| |
| − | Can you understand, without using your mind?
| |
| − |
| |
| − | To create and destroy
| |
| − | with no sense of self
| |
| − | to act without obligation
| |
| − | to lead without tyranny
| |
| − | that is an awesome super power.
| |
This project is an attempt to re-translate the Tao Te Ching with a zenarchist/discordian bent. Anyone that enjoys this stuff is welcome to help. In the end, it'll be published as a Kopyleft PDF.
Here's how it'll work. Grab a chapter of the Tao Te Ching. If you don't speak chinese (hah!), lift a translation from the web somewhere. Underneath the translation, write your own version of that chapter.
We'll experiment with a tone until we find the right one. For now, be irreverant, mysterious, wise, or silly. Keep it dense, the Tao Te Ching is a simple book that doesn't need too much explaining. Our translation should be minimalistic. Also, brevity is the soul of wit. :-)
