Tao Te Ching 20 - Stop Thinking and End Your Problems

title: Tao Te Ching 20 - Stop Thinking and End Your Problems — Book - Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu

Stephen Mitchell Translation

Stop thinking, and end your problems.¹ What difference between yes and no?² What difference between success and failure? Must you value what others value,³ avoid what others avoid? How ridiculous!

Other people are excited, as though they were at a parade. I alone don’t care, I alone am expressionless, like an infant before it can smile.

Other people have what they need; I alone possess nothing.⁴ I alone drift about, like someone without a home. I am like an idiot, my mind is so empty.

Other people are bright; I alone am dark.

Other people are sharp; I alone am dull.

Other people have a purpose; I alone don’t know.⁵

I drift like a wave on the ocean, I blow as aimless as the wind.⁶ I am different from ordinary people. I drink from the Great Mother’s breasts.

1. [[ Arguing with reality is the source of suffering ]]
2. [[ Yin Yang ]]
3. if we seek social status we give other people power over us
4. [[ What you own owns you ]]
5. [[ Not-knowing ]]
6. [[ Wu Wei ]]

Other translations

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[[ Stephen Addiss & Stanley Lombardo ]]</span> Banish learning, no more grief. Between Yes and No How much difference? Between good and evil How much difference?? What others fear I must fear - How pointless! People are wreathed in smiles As if at a carnival banquet. I alone am passive, giving no sign, Like an infant who has not yet smiles. Forlorn as if I had no home. Others have enough and more, I alone am left out. I have the mind of a fool, Confused, confused. Others are bright and intelligent, I alone and dull, dull, Drifting on the ocean, Blown about endlessly. Others have plans, I alone am wayward and stubborn, I alone am different from others, Like a baby in the womb.