TaoismChapter 73HOLYMAP · SACRED TEXTS
Tao Te ChingChapter 73

Tao Te Ching

Chapter 73

73
English · James Legge

He whose boldness appears in his daring (to do wrong, in defiance of the laws) is put to death; he whose boldness appears in his not daring (to do so) lives on. Of these two cases the one appears to be advantageous, and the other to be injurious. But When Heaven's anger smites a man, Who the cause shall truly scan? On this account the sage feels a difficulty (as to what to do in the former case). It is the way of Heaven not to strive, and yet it skilfully overcomes; not to speak, and yet it is skilful in obtaining a reply; does not call, and yet men come to it of themselves. Its demonstrations are quiet, and yet its plans are skilful and effective. The meshes of the net of Heaven are large; far apart, but letting nothing escape.

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Chinese text from Chinese Wikisource (zh.wikisource.org), transcribed by Wikisource volunteers. Public domain. · Source ↗

Translated by James Legge, The Texts of Tâoism, Part I, Sacred Books of the East vol. 39 (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1891). Public domain. E-text from Project Gutenberg (#216), checked word by word against scans of the 1891 printing (Internet Archive). · Source ↗

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