Daodejing
- Lingua:
- inglese
- Stato:
- Opera completa
- Autorialità:
- Attribuita (paternità dibattuta)
- Stato del testo:
- Nessun rumore di scansione rilevato (misura automatica su tutto il testo, non verificata a mano)
- Estensione:
- ~10.500 parole · 50 passi
Cita quest'opera
- APALaozi. (n.d.). The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics [Daodejing]. Digital reproduction: SigPhi. https://sigphiai.com/it/works/laozi/the-tao-teh-king-or-the-tao-and-its-characteristics
- MLALaozi. The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics [Daodejing]. Digital reproduction, SigPhi, https://sigphiai.com/it/works/laozi/the-tao-teh-king-or-the-tao-and-its-characteristics.
- ChicagoLaozi. The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics [Daodejing]. Digital reproduction, SigPhi. https://sigphiai.com/it/works/laozi/the-tao-teh-king-or-the-tao-and-its-characteristics.
Riferimento all’edizione riprodotta. SigPhi è la riproduzione digitale. Anno, editore e traduttore compaiono quando noti; «n.d.» indica un anno sconosciuto.
Di che cosa tratta
Ottantuno brevi poemi sul Tao, la via che non si può nominare: governare senza forzare, agire senza fare (wu wei), e la forza paradossale del morbido — l'acqua che vince la pietra.
Contesto e storia
La tradizione lo attribuisce a Laozi, un archivista della corte Zhou del VI secolo a.C. che, deluso, partì verso occidente e lasciò il libro al guardiano del passo di frontiera. Gli studiosi moderni vi vedono piuttosto una compilazione dei secoli IV-III a.C. Con circa cinquemila caratteri, è il fondamento del taoismo filosofico e religioso, e uno dei libri più tradotti della storia — la sua brevità enigmatica ha reso possibili mille letture, dal misticismo all'arte di governare.
Contesto editoriale, non una fonte citabile: a differenza dei passi dell'opera, questi dati non si possono verificare sul corpus.
2. How irresolute did those (earliest rulers) appear, showing (by their reticence) the importance which they set upon their words! Their work was done and their undertakings were successful, while the people all said, 'We are as we are, of ourselves!' 18. 1. When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. (Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy. 2. When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships, filial sons found their manifestation; when the states and clans fell into disorder, loyal ministers appeared. 19. 1. If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold. If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness, the people would again become filial and kindly. If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our (scheming for) gain, there would be no thieves nor robbers. 2. Those three methods (of government) Thought olden ways in elegance did fail And made these names their want of worth to veil; But simple views, and courses plain and true Would selfish ends and many lusts eschew. 20. 1. When we renounce learning we have no troubles. The (ready) 'yes,' and (flattering) 'yea;'-- Small is the difference they display. But mark their issues, good and ill;-- What space the gulf between shall fill? What all men fear is indeed to be feared; but how wide and without end is the range of questions (asking to be discussed)! 2. The multitude of men look satisfied and pleased; as if enjoying a full banquet, as if mounted on a tower in spring. I alone seem listless and still, my desires having as yet given no indication of their presence.…