Verse 33: Kinds of People
知人者智,
Those who understand people are smart,
自知者明。
Those who understand themselves are enlightened
勝人者有力,
Those who defeat people have force,
自勝者強。
Those who defeat themselves are strong.
知足者富。
Those who understand restraint are rich.
強行者有志。
Those who are reluctant to act have will.
不失其所者久。
Those who do not lose their sense of direction will endure.
死而不亡者壽。
Those who die without perishing have longevity.
Comments
The last line is meant to be a mystery. To the Taoist death is perfectly normal; it is part of a cycle and comes to all living things. To die without having the person's presence in this world perish is the real art. It probably means an enduring legacy here to help those who stay behind in this world. It might meaning passing on one's learning of the Tao to others.
Those who understand people are smart,
自知者明。
Those who understand themselves are enlightened
勝人者有力,
Those who defeat people have force,
自勝者強。
Those who defeat themselves are strong.
知足者富。
Those who understand restraint are rich.
強行者有志。
Those who are reluctant to act have will.
不失其所者久。
Those who do not lose their sense of direction will endure.
死而不亡者壽。
Those who die without perishing have longevity.
Comments
The last line is meant to be a mystery. To the Taoist death is perfectly normal; it is part of a cycle and comes to all living things. To die without having the person's presence in this world perish is the real art. It probably means an enduring legacy here to help those who stay behind in this world. It might meaning passing on one's learning of the Tao to others.

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