Chapter VI
(Chapter 6)

Ko Yuen Translation

The Perfecting of Form

The Teh is the immortal enemy of the Tao, its feminine aspect. Heaven and Earth issued from her Gate; this Gate is the Root of their World-Sycamore. Its operation is of pure Joy and Love, and faileth never¹.

S. Mitchell Translation

The Tao is called the Great Mother: empty yet inexhaustible, it gives birth to infinite worlds.

It is always present within you.
You can use it any way you want.

James Legge Translation

The valley spirit dies not, aye the same;
The female mystery thus do we name.
Its gate, from which at first they issued forth,
Is called the root from which grew heaven and earth.
Long and unbroken does its power remain,
Used gently, and without the touch of pain.

GNL not Lao Interpolation

Experience

Experience is a riverbed,
Its source hidden, forever flowing:
Its entrance, the root of the world,
The Way moves within it:
Draw upon it; it will not run dry.

Tao Teh King
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Ko Yuen Commentary
1.	Cf. in The Book of Wisdom or Folly, the doctrine of "The Play of Nuit." Return to text