lipu Pona la: kasi nanpa 55 pi lipu Nasin Pona

含德之厚 ona pi wawa pona… One who remains rich in virtuous power
比于赤子 li sama e jan lili sin. Is like a newborn baby.
蜂虿虺蛇不螫   Bees, scorpions and venomous snakes do not bite it,
猛兽不据   The wild beasts do not attack it,
攫鸟不搏   Birds of prey do not sink their claws into it.
骨弱   Though its [the infant’s] bones are weak
筋柔   And muscles soft,
而握固   Its grip is strong.
未知牝牡之 ona li mije li meli li tonsi la, jan li sona ala. Without knowing of the blending of male and female
合而全作 taso ona li ken pali ale. S/he is a perfect production,
精之至也   The ultimate in vitality.
终日号而不嗄   S/he cries all day without getting hoarse.
和之至也   S/he is the ultimate in harmony.
知和曰常   Understanding harmony is called the Constant.
知常曰明   Knowing the Constant is called illumination.
益生曰祥   Nourishing life is called blessing.
心使气曰强   Having control of your breath is called strength.
物壮则老   After things blossom they decay, and
谓之不道   This is called the non-Way.
不道早已   The non-Way expires quickly.

Sitelen Sitelen Renderer by Olaf Janssen.

Acknowledgements / Notes