The Liezi is considered the third most important text in Daoism after the Dao De Jing and Zhuangzi. Chapter five is named Questions of Tang.
The chapter includes mystical tales of immortal people, pearl forests, and gold buildings. Besides the fantastic imagery there is much about the sage and living according to the Way.
The Way
The Way has no beginning and no ending.
“To the beginning and end of things there is no precise limit. Beginning may be end, and end may be beginning. How can we conceive of any fixed period to either? That which we call an end at the present moment may be the beginning of a new thing, and that which we call a beginning may, contrariwise, be the end of something. End and beginning succeed one another until at last they cannot be distinguished.”
It is limitless and infinite.
“It may be that space is infinite, or it may be that it is limited. How can I tell? But beyond infinity there must again exist non-infinity, and within the unlimited again that which is not unlimited.”
It makes up all things great and small. It includes heaven and earth and all beings within.
“Thus, the lesser is always enclosed by a greater, without ever reaching an end. Heaven and earth, which enclose the myriad objects of creation, are themselves enclosed in some outer shell.” That which contains heaven and earth is the Great Void.” Enclosing heaven and earth and the myriad objects within them, this outer shell is infinite and immeasurable.”
Uniqueness
Some things are so vast that they defy imagination such as the massive bird Peng or the huge fish Leviathan which were also found in Zhuangzi, Chapter 1.
“The two mountains Tai Xing and Wangwu, which cover an area of 700 square li, and rise to an enormous altitude, originally stood in the south of the Qi district and north of Hoyang.”
Some things are so small that they pale in comparison.
“A certain foolish old man of North Mountain, already ninety years old, lived facing the mountains.”
Regardless of their size, all things are equal and unique, important in their own right.
Single mindedness
The sage is singleminded and therefore can accomplish much. The sage is completely in the moment.
“Though I myself must die, I shall leave a son behind me, and through him a grandson. That grandson will beget sons in his turn, and those sons will also have sons and grandsons. With all this posterity, my line will not die out, while on the other hand the mountain will receive no increment or addition. Why then should I despair of leveling it to the ground at last?”
Adaptability
The sage adapts instantly to life’s challenges. They do not see events as good or bad but take life as it comes. It is similar to a driver guiding a horse who responds instantly by tugging on the bridle.
Social Harmony
Living with the Way means to be in equality and harmony with others. The sage is not arrogant, nor contentious, and lives a full life. They do not rule over others.
The sage recognizes the relativity of different cultures and societies. They know that good and bad are often dependent on the person. In some cultures people cut their hair and wear very little clothing while in others they wear turbans and cover most of their body. Some lands produce crops while others hold factories. One can travel on water by boat or by car on land. Different cultures have different customs and laws.
Emptiness
The sage focuses on the inside in order to navigate the world. They seek a state of emptiness. They master their inner thoughts while living in the world with others.
Summary
The Way is limitless and has no beginning. It makes up all things which are equal in the Way. The sage is singleminded and adapts to life. They live in harmony with others, are not arrogant, and do not rule others. They recognize the relativity of good and bad and focus on the internal in order to navigate the external world.
Resource
Teachings from the Book of Liezih Tzu. Lionel Giles, translator. 1912. Classic public domain translation of Chapters 1-6, and 8 of the Book of Liezi.
The Book of Master Lie, Thomas Cleary, translator. 2011. A nice translation of Liezi.
