The Tao can be Tao, but it is very Tao. The name can be named, but it is very famous

The Tao can be said, but it is not the Tao as it is usually called. The name can be given, but it is not the usual name

Heaven and earth are unkind and regard all things as stupid dogs. The saint is unkind and treats the common people as stupid dogs.

Heaven and earth ignore the so-called benevolence and righteousness in the world. In its view, all things are straw dogs used to sacrifice gods. The saint also doesn't care about the so-called benevolence and righteousness in the world. In his eyes, the people are straw dogs used to sacrifice to the gods.

Mysterious and mysterious, the door to all mysteries

Mysterious and mysterious! The source of all mysteries in the universe

The best is like water. Water is good for all things without dispute

The highest good is like water. Water is good at nourishing all things without competing with them

Tao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, three gives birth to all things

Tao is at ease before all things, this is his reality , called one. The Tao is spoken of as Tao, and this is his title, called two. The reality of Tao can be said to be the name of Tao because it has appearances, which are called three. The three-in-one Tao gives birth to and nourishes all things

Governing a big country is like frying small fish

Governing a big country is like frying small fish.

If the people are not afraid of death, how can they be afraid of it?

If the people are not afraid of death, what is the use of threatening them with death?

The Tao is often inaction. Doing nothing

Tao usually seems to be doing nothing, but in fact there is not a single thing that he has not accomplished