lipu Pona la: kasi nanpa 38 pi lipu Nasin Pona

上德不德 pona sewi li pona ala la, Superior virtue is not virtuous
是以有德 ona li jo e pona. Therefore it has virtue.
下德不失德 pona anpa li weka ala la, Inferior virtue never fails to be virtuous
是以无德 ona li weka e pona. Therefore it has no virtue.
上德无为 pona sewi li pali ala la, Superior virtue does not “act”
而无以为 ona li wile ala. And has no intentions.
下德为之 pona anpa li pali la, Inferior virtue “acts”
而有以为 ona li wile ale. And always has intentions.
上仁为之 olin sewi li pali la, Superior humaneness “acts”
而无以为 ona li wile ala. But has no intentions.
上义为之 sama sewi li pali la, Superior justice “acts”
而有以为 ona li wile ale. But has intentions.
上礼为之而莫之应 PROPRIETY sewi li tawa jan, jan li pali sama ala la, Superior propriety “acts” and if you don’t respond
则攘臂而扔之 ona li pilin utala li pilin mu. They will roll up their sleeves and threaten you.
故失道而后德 tenpo li weka e nasin la, ona li jo e pona. Thus, when the Way is lost there is virtue
失德而后仁 tenpo li weka e pona la, ona li jo e olin. When virtue is lost there is humaneness
失仁而后义 tenpo li weka e olin la, ona li jo e sama. When humaneness is lost there is justice
失义而后礼 tenpo li weka e sama la, ona li jo e PROPRIETY. And when justice is lost there is propriety.
夫礼者忠信之薄   Now “propriety” is the external appearance of loyalty and sincerity
而乱之首   And the beginning of disorder.
前识者道之华   Occult abilities are just flowers of the Way
而愚之始   And the beginning of foolishness.
是以大丈夫处其厚   Therefore the Great Person dwells in the substantial
不居其薄   And not in the superficial.
处其实不居其华   Rests in the fruit and not in the flower.
故去彼取此 la o weka. o jo e ni. So let go of that and grasp this.

Sitelen Sitelen Renderer by Olaf Janssen.

Acknowledgements / Notes