Chapter X
(Chapter 10)

Ko Yuen Translation Things Attainable
1.	When soul¹ and body² are in the bond of love, they can be kept together. By concentration on the breath³ it is brought to perfect elasticity, and one becomes as a babe. By purifying oneself from Samadhi one becomes whole⁴.
2.	In his dealing with individuals and with society, let him move without lust of result. In the management of his breath, let him be like the mother-bird⁵. Let his intelligence⁶ comprehend every quarter; but let his knowledge⁷ cease⁸.
3.	Here is the Mystery of Virtue⁹. It createth all and nourisheth all; yet it doth not adhere to them; it operateth all, but knoweth not of it, nor proclaimeth it; it directeth all, but without conscious control.

S. Mitchell Translation

Can you coax your mind from its wandering and keep to the original oneness?
Can you let your body become supple as a newborn child's?
Can you cleanse your inner vision until you see nothing but the light?
Can you love people and lead them without imposing your will?
Can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course?
Can you step back from you own mind and thus understand all things?

Giving birth and nourishing, having without possessing, acting with no expectations, leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue.

James Legge Translation
1.	When the intelligent and animal souls are held together in one embrace, they can be kept from separating. When one gives undivided attention to the (vital) breath, and brings it to the utmost degree of pliancy, he can become as a (tender) babe. When he has cleansed away the most mysterious sights (of his imagination), he can become without a flaw.
2.	In loving the people and ruling the state, cannot he proceed without any (purpose of) action? In the opening and shutting of his gates of heaven, cannot he do so as a female bird? While his intelligence reaches in every direction, cannot he (appear to) be without knowledge?
3.	(The Tao) produces (all things) and nourishes them; it produces them and does not claim them as its own; it does all, and yet does not boast of it; it presides over all, and yet does not control them. This is what is called 'The mysterious Quality' (of the Tao).

GNL not Lao Interpolation

Harmony

Embracing the Way, you become embraced;
Breathing gently, you become newborn;
Clearing your mind, you become clear;
Nurturing your children, you become impartial;
Opening your heart, you become accepted;
Accepting the world, you embrace the Way.

Bearing and nurturing,
Creating but not owning,
Giving without demanding,
This is harmony.

Tao Teh King
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Ko Yuen Commentary
1.	Neschamah. Return to text
2.	Nephesch. Return to text
3.	Prana. Return to text
4.	Here we see once more the doctrine of being without friction. Internal conflict leads to rupture. Again, one's Pranayama is to result perfect pliability and exact adjustment to one's environment. Finally, even Sammasamadhi is a defect, so long as it is an experience instead of a constant state. So long as there are two to become one, there are two. Return to text
5.	I.e., brooding like the Spirit, quiet, without effort. Return to text
6.	Binah. Return to text
7.	Daath. Return to text
8.	He must absorb (or understand) everything without conscious knowledge, which is a shock, implying duality, like flint and steel, while understanding is like a sponge, or even like ocean absorbing rivers. Return to text
9.	Of the Tao and of him that hath it. Virtue -- the Teh. Return to text

Tao Teh King
Main Page

Chapter X(Chapter 10)

Ko Yuen Translation

Things Attainable

S. Mitchell Translation

James Legge Translation

GNL not Lao Interpolation

Harmony

Ko Yuen Commentary

Chapter X
(Chapter 10)