A route through the Daodejing · 7 chaptersHow the sage treats the people

1. 7Heaven endures and earth lastsnot yet coveredHeaven endures and earth lasts. Heaven and earth can endure and last because they do not l…
2. 13Favor and disgrace alike are alarmingnot yet coveredFavor and disgrace alike are alarming; prize great trouble as you prize your body. What do…
3. 49The sage has no fixed mind of his ownnot yet coveredThe sage has no fixed mind of his own; he takes the people's minds as his mind. Those who …
4. 72When the people do not fear authority, a great terror will…not yet coveredWhen the people do not fear authority, a great terror will come. Do not crowd their dwelli…
5. 74If the people do not fear death, how can you frighten them…not yet coveredIf the people do not fear death, how can you frighten them with death? If the people alway…
6. 75The people starve because those above them eat too much in…not yet coveredThe people starve because those above them eat too much in taxes; that is why they starve.…
7. 80A small state with few peoplenot yet coveredA small state with few people. Let there be tools for tens and hundreds of men, yet not us…

All 81 chapters of the Daodejing

Famous lines that were once written differentlyWhy water is closest to the WayDoes wuwei mean doing nothing?Knowing enough, knowing when to stopLaozi on warThe infant and the newbornPu: the uncarved blockReversal and returnThe Way and namesLaozi and Confucius: humaneness, rightness, ritual