50. Those Who Preserve Life
Coming into life and going out at death,
the organs of life are thirteen;
the organs of death are thirteen;
and these thirteen make life vulnerable to death.
Why is this so?
Because they feed life too grossly.
It is said that those who preserve life
walk the earth without fearing tigers and wild buffalo,
and in battle they are not touched by weapons of war.
The wild buffalo's horns find nothing to gore;
the tiger's claws find nothing to tear;
and weapons' points find nothing to pierce.
Why is this so?
Because they have nothing for death to enter.
Monday, November 28, 2005
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Another interpretation
Tao Te Ching - Book Five - The Conduct of Life
50.
The Preserving of Life
Out of life, death enters.
The companions (organs) of life are thirteen;
The companions (organs) of death are (also) thirteen
What send men to death in this life are also (these) thirteen.
How is it so?
Because of the intense activity of multiplying life.
It has been said that he who is a good preserver of his life
Meets no tigers or wild buffaloes on land,
Is not vulnerable to weapons in the field of battle.
The horns of the wild buffalo are powerless against him;
The paws of the tiger are useless against him;
The weapons of the soldier cannot avail against him.
How is this so?
Because he is beyond death.
Kiachu Shen Ku
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