Chapter XXXVII
(Chapter 37)

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Ko Yuen Translation

The Right Use of Government
1. The Tao proceedeth by its own nature, doing nothing; therefore there is no doing which it comprehendeth not.
2. If kings and princes were to govern in this manner, all things would operate aright by their own motion.
3. If this transmutation were my object, I should call it Simplicity.  Simplicity hath no name nor purpose; silently and at ease all things go well.

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S. Mitchell Translation
The Tao never does anything,
yet through it all things are done.

If powerful men and women
could venter themselves in it,
the whole world would be transformed
by itself, in its natural rhythms.
People would be content
with their simple, everyday lives,
in harmony, and free of desire.

When there is no desire,
all things are at peace.

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James Legge Translation
1. The Tao in its regular course does nothing (for the sake of doing it), and so there is nothing which it does not do.
2. If princes and kings were able to maintain it, all things would of themselves be transformed by them.
3. If this transformation became to me an object of desire, I would express the desire by the nameless simplicity.

Simplicity without a name
Is free from all external aim.
With no desire, at rest and still,
All things go right as of their will.

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GNL not LAo Interpolation

Tranquillity
The Way takes no action, but leaves nothing undone.
When you accept this
The world will flourish,
In harmony with nature.

Nature does not possess desire;
Without desire, the heart becomes quiet;
In this manner the whole world is made tranquil.

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