Unfortunately, this is yet another poor translation of the Daode Jing. The D.C. Lau version is probably the best, even now. Muller's translation is also good: http://www.hm.tyg.jp/~acmuller/contao/daodejing.html

The Western orientalists started trying to create a "philosophy" out of Daoism in order to justify their imperialist cultural ambitions in China. Taking their cue from the Confucians, who found this as one of the only Daoist scriptures they considered of merit, these scholars completely and willfully misrepresented the Daoist tradition. This DDJ "translation" industry continues, now taken over by the Western transcendentalists as somehow evidence for their theories in previous c...

Unfortunately, this is yet another poor translation of the Daode Jing. The D.C. Lau version is probably the best, even now. Muller's translation is also good: http://www.hm.tyg.jp/~acmuller/contao/daodejing.html

The Western orientalists started trying to create a "philosophy" out of Daoism in order to justify their imperialist cultural ambitions in China. Taking their cue from the Confucians, who found this as one of the only Daoist scriptures they considered of merit, these scholars completely and willfully misrepresented the Daoist tradition. This DDJ "translation" industry continues, now taken over by the Western transcendentalists as somehow evidence for their theories in previous cultures. Mining for the exotic, their "translations" bear little resemblance to the DDJ in the original.

While far from the founding document of Daoism some imagine it to be, the Daode Jing is a scripture of that religion. It is the words of Taishang Laojun, and deserves to be studied and chanted with reverence. Pointing to the need for correct transmission, our Lord states in the opening chapter that the Dao "with name" creates the manifest world under the Latter Heavens. By following the teachings of the Dao, one can grow beyond this estate. This ontological depth and soteriological power is eviscerated by the New Agers' misappropriation of this scripture.

The Daode Jing is a foundational scripture of Daoism, the unified mystical, religious tradition of China. Its appreciation by Confucians, Buddhists, and others is testament to the transformative power Taishang Laojun brings to all worlds and beings. The Daode Jing must be understood in this context to be properly and respectully received.