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Tao Te Ching 《道德经》

The English wording here is designed to clarify the selected Chinese lines, not replace the many possible literary and philosophical translations of the Tao Te Ching.

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知人者智,自知者明。

Zhī rén zhě zhì, zì zhī zhě míng.

Close English reading

To know others is intelligence; to know oneself is clarity.

Plain meaningUnderstanding yourself is the deeper wisdom.

Source
Laozi· Spring and Autumn period · Tao Te Ching, Chapter 33
Tao Te Ching
Why it fitsIt distinguishes social intelligence from the harder achievement of honest self-knowledge.
Original context and translation note
知人者智,自知者明。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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知足不辱,知止不殆,可以长久。

Zhī zú bù rǔ, zhī zhǐ bù dài, kě yǐ cháng jiǔ.

Close English reading

Know contentment and avoid disgrace; know where to stop and avoid danger; then you can endure.

Plain meaningKnow what is enough and when to stop.

Source
Laozi· Spring and Autumn period · Tao Te Ching, Chapter 44
Tao Te Ching
Why it fitsContentment and restraint are presented as conditions for safety and endurance.
Original context and translation note
知足不辱,知止不殆,可以长久。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

千里之行,始于足下。

Qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià.

Close English reading

A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet.

Plain meaningBegin with the first real step, however small.

Source
Laozi· Spring and Autumn period · Tao Te Ching, Chapter 64
Tao Te Ching
Why it fitsIt turns an overwhelming distance into one immediate action.
Original context and translation note
千里之行,始于足下。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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Concise teachings on beginnings, self-knowledge, limits, contentment, and lasting action. This page is a curated bilingual selection, not a claim to translate the complete source.

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