World Lit Reader

Tao Te Ching · Laozi · Translated by James Legge

Chapter 70

70. 1. My words are very easy to know, and very easy to practise; but there is no one in the world who is able to know and able to practise them.

2. There is an originating and all-comprehending (principle) in my words, and an authoritative law for the things (which I enforce). It is because they do not know these, that men do not know me.

3. They who know me are few, and I am on that account (the more) to be prized. It is thus that the sage wears (a poor garb of) hair cloth, while he carries his (signet of) jade in his bosom.

Laozi · Translated by James Legge. Digital source: Project Gutenberg, ebook 216. This reading text follows the edition used in our interactive reader.