Read vertically from top to bottom and horizontally from right to left. (Desktop view is recommended, but if you're on mobile, please turn to landscape orientation.)
Allowing men to take their course - Version One
He whose boldness appears in his daring (to do wrong, in defiance of the laws) is put to death; he whose boldness appears in his not daring (to do so) lives on. Of these two cases the one appears to be advantageous, and the other to be injurious. But
When Heaven's anger smites a man,
Who the cause shall truly scan?
On this account the sage feels a difficulty (as to what to do in the former case). It is the way of Heaven not to strive, and yet it skilfully overcomes; not to speak, and yet it is skilful in (obtaining a reply); does not call, and yet men come to it of themselves. Its demonstrations are quiet, and yet its plans are skilful and effective. The meshes of the net of Heaven are large; far apart, but letting nothing escape.[1]
Allowing men to take their course - Version Two
A brave and passionate man will kill or be killed. A brave and calm man will always preserve life.
Of these two which is good and which is harmful? Some things are not favored by heaven. Who knows why? Even the sage is unsure of this.
The Tao of heaven does not strive, and yet it overcomes. It does not speak, and yet is answered. It does not ask, yet is supplied with all its needs. It seems to have no aim and yet its purpose is fulfilled. Heaven's net casts wide. Though its meshes are course, nothing slips through.[2]
References
- James Legge (1891). Tao Te Ching. Lao Tsu, Chinese Text Project
- Gia-Fu Feng (1972). Tao Te Ching. Lao Tsu
