# Laozi, *Dao De Jing*, trans. Linnell, 2015 > [!cite] > Laozi. *Dao De Jing: A Minimalist Translation*. Translated by Bruce R. Linnell. Project Gutenberg, 2015. EPUB. [https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/49965](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/49965). Translation note: ‘This version attempts to include an exact translation of every Chinese symbol in the original text, with as few added words and paraphrasing as possible.  This results in sentences which hopefully provide a more literal translation, but are bare and minimalist, sometimes awkward, and often doesn’t make sense.  You, the reader, will have to wrestle with some sentences, trying to wring out of them whatever meaning their author was trying to express 2300 years ago, instead of my simply telling you what I think they mean.’[^1] --- ‘Not honoring those who are esteemable Ensures that the citizens do not strive. Not valuing rare goods Ensures that the citizens do not act like thieves. Not showing that which can be desired Ensures that the citizens’ heart/minds do not become       confused.’ [[Laozi, Dao De Jing, trans. Linnell, 2015|(Laozi, trans. Linnell 2015, chap. 3)]] ‘Too much talking is exceptionally exhausting, Which is not as good as maintaining what is within.’ [[Laozi, Dao De Jing, trans. Linnell, 2015|(Laozi, trans. Linnell 2015, chap. 5)]] ^8203c0 ‘The spirit of the valley does not die – It is called the deep and mysterious feminine. The gateway of this deep and mysterious feminine –  It is called the source of heaven and earth. Unbroken, it seems to exist. Using it takes no effort.’ [[Laozi, Dao De Jing, trans. Linnell, 2015|(Laozi, trans. Linnell 2015. chap. 6)]] ^6b56f5 ‘Holding and filling it Are not as good as your stopping short. Hammering and sharpening it Can not be forever maintained. When gold and jade fill a room, There is no one who can protect it. To have wealth and high rank, but with arrogance – Then naturally their loss is your own fault. When the task is successful, the self should let go of it.         This is the Way of heaven.’ [[Laozi, Dao De Jing, trans. Linnell, 2015|(Laozi, trans. Linnell 2015, chap. 9)]] ^7ceba7 ‘The existence of the best ruler is barely known to the people. Next is one who they love and praise. Next is one who they fear. Next is one who they ridicule. If the ruler does not trust enough, then he will not have anyone’s trust. Thoughtful!, he values his words. When tasks are accomplished and duties are successful, The 100 families all say “we are naturally so”.’ [[Laozi, Dao De Jing, trans. Linnell, 2015|(Laozi, trans. Linnell 2015, chap. 17)]] ^6723db ‘C: the six relationships refer to “all” the possible kinds of relationship in a family (in ancient China) : husband to wife, wife to husband, father to son, son to father, older brother to younger brother, younger brother to older brother’. [[Laozi, Dao De Jing, trans. Linnell, 2015|(Linnell 2015, chap. 18)]] ^3da693 ‘Dao is ever-constantly without-name. Even though the concept of the uncarved block seems insignificant, No one in the world can conquer it. \[…] And so, begin to divide and you have names. Once names exist, Men should also be ready to know when to stop. Knowing when to stop is the reason that there is no danger.’ [[Laozi, Dao De Jing, trans. Linnell, 2015|(Laozi, trans. Linnell 2015, chap. 32)]] ^a4437e ‘What is soft and weak conquers what is hard and strong. Fish can not escape from the deep; The sharp tools of the nation Can not be shown to the people.’ [[Laozi, Dao De Jing, trans. Linnell, 2015|(Laozi, trans. Linnell 2015, chap. 36)]] ^23c005 ‘Extreme desire must lead to great expense. Collecting too much must lead to substantial loss.’ [[Laozi, Dao De Jing, trans. Linnell, 2015|(Laozi, trans. Linnell 2015, chap. 44)]] ^3da029 ‘Use honesty and justness when governing a nation. Use strange and unusual tactics when commanding troops. Use non-interference to take hold of the world. How do I thus know it is like this? By means of this : The world has many prohibitions and taboos, And the citizens become even poorer. The citizens have many sharp tools, And the nation and the families grow in confusion. The people have too much knowledge and cleverness, And strange things begin to increase. Matters of law are increasingly proclaimed, And more thieves and bandits exist. Therefore : the sage says – I use non-action, and the citizens naturally transform. I cherish stillness, and the citizens naturally become honest and just. I use non-interference, and the citizens naturally become wealthy. I am without-desire, and the citizens naturally return to the state of the uncarved block.’ [[Laozi, Dao De Jing, trans. Linnell, 2015|(Laozi, trans. Linnell 2015, chap. 57)]] ^d30944 ‘In the world, nothing is softer and weaker than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong, There is nothing that can surpass it. This is because it endlessly replaces itself. Weakness conquers strength. Softness conquers hardness. In the world, there is no one who does not know this, But there is no one who can practice it.’ [[Laozi, Dao De Jing, trans. Linnell, 2015|(Laozi, trans. Linnell 2015, chap. 78)]] ^78d47f [^1]: Bruce R. Linnell, *[[Laozi, Dao De Jing, trans. Linnell, 2015|Dao De Jing: A Minimalist Translation]]* (Project Gutenberg, 2015), Introduction. EPUB. Project Gutenberg, [https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/49965](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/49965).