Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching

Author: Wu Guangyi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth; the named is the mother of heaven and earth. Therefore, always remain in the state of non-being to observe its subtlety; always remain in the state of being to observe its manifestations. These two are the same yet different, and are called mysterious. The mystery of mysteries is the gateway to all subtleties. Heaven and earth are unrighteous, treating all things as straw dogs; the sage is unrighteous, treating the people as straw dogs. Between heaven and earth, is it not like a vessel? The void is unyielding, and the more it moves, the more it flows. Those who hear much are often exhausted; it is better to guard the void. The highest virtue is like water, which benefits all things without contention, dwells in the places others dislike, and is close to the Tao. To dwell in the right place, to keep the heart deep, to be kind to others, to speak truthfully, to govern rightly, to be skilled in affairs, and to act at the right time. Because of non-contention, there is no blame. To be crooked is to be whole; to be bent is to be straight; to be low is to be full; to be worn out is to be renewed. To have little is to obtain; to have much is to be confused. Therefore, the sage holds one as the model for the world. Not showing himself, he is bright; not being self-righteous, he is clear; not boasting, he achieves merit; not being arrogant, he is long-lasting. Because of non-contention, heaven cannot contend with him. The ancients said, "To be crooked is to be whole"—was it not a vain saying? Truly, to be whole is to return to it. The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth; the named is the mother of heaven and earth. Therefore, always remain in the state of non-being to observe its subtlety; always remain in the state of being to observe its manifestations. These two are the same yet different, and are called mysterious. The mystery of mysteries is the gateway to all subtleties. Heaven and earth are unrighteous, treating all things as straw dogs; the sage is unrighteous, treating the people as straw dogs. Between heaven and earth, is it not like a vessel? The void is unyielding, and the more it moves, the more it flows. Those who hear much are often exhausted; it is better to guard the void. The highest virtue is like water, which benefits all things without contention, dwells in the places others dislike, and is close to the Tao. To dwell in the right place, to keep the heart deep, to be kind to others, to speak truthfully, to govern rightly, to be skilled in affairs, and to act at the right time. Because of non-contention, there is no blame. To be crooked is to be whole; to be bent is to be straight; to be low is to be full; to be worn out is to be renewed. To have little is to obtain; to have much is to be confused. Therefore, the sage holds one as the model for the world. Not showing himself, he is bright; not being self-righteous, he is clear; not boasting, he achieves merit; not being arrogant, he is long-lasting. Because of non-contention, heaven cannot contend with him. The ancients said, "To be crooked is to be whole"—was it not a vain saying? Truly, to be whole is to return to it.