Tao Te Ching Richard Wilhelm Pdf 29

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Nov 10, 2023, 4:44:06 AM11/10/23
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Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu: A German Translation by Richard Wilhelm
The Tao Te Ching is a classic Chinese text attributed to the legendary philosopher Lao Tzu, who is said to have lived around the 6th century BCE. The text consists of 81 short chapters that express the essence of Taoism, a philosophy of harmony, balance, and non-action. The Tao Te Ching has been translated into many languages and has influenced countless thinkers and artists throughout history.
tao te ching richard wilhelm pdf 29
One of the most respected translations of the Tao Te Ching is the German version by Richard Wilhelm (1873-1930), a scholar of ancient Chinese literature and culture. Wilhelm published his translation in 1910, after spending several years in China studying and teaching. He intended his translation to be accessible and understandable for the general reader, not just academics. He also added explanatory notes and comments to clarify some of the difficult or obscure passages.
In this article, we will focus on chapter 29 of Wilhelm's translation, which deals with the theme of accepting and respecting the natural order of things. Here is the original text in Chinese, followed by Wilhelm's German translation and an English translation by Roger Urban:
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Wer die Welt besitzen will, der hat sie schon verloren. Denn die Welt ist ein lebendiges Wesen und kann nicht besessen werden. Wer sie besitzen will, macht sie zu einem Ding und tÃtet sie. Darum: Wer sich an ihr freut, wie sie ist, der hat sie schon. Wer sie verÃndern will nach seinem Sinn, der hat sie schon verloren. Denn er hat sich selbst zum Herrn Ãber die Welt gemacht und weià nicht, daà er nur ein Teil von ihr ist. Darum sagt der Weise: Ich lasse das ÃberflÃssige, das Ãbertriebene, das ÃbermÃÃige.
Who wants to possess the world has already lost it. For the world is a living being and cannot be possessed. Whoever wants to possess it makes it a thing and kills it. Therefore: Whoever enjoys it as it is already has it. Whoever wants to change it according to his mind has already lost it. For he has made himself the lord over the world and does not know that he is only a part of it. Therefore the sage says: I leave the superfluous, the exaggerated, the excessive.
According to Wilhelm's interpretation, this chapter teaches us that we should not try to control or dominate the world, but rather appreciate and follow its natural flow. The world is not a static object that can be owned or manipulated, but a dynamic process that has its own logic and rhythm. If we try to impose our will on it, we will only harm ourselves and others. If we accept it as it is, we will find peace and harmony.
Wilhelm's translation of the Tao Te Ching is a valuable contribution to the understanding and appreciation of this ancient wisdom. His translation is not only faithful to the original text, but also expressive and poetic in its own right. He captures the spirit and beauty of Lao Tzu's words and conveys them in a clear and elegant language.
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