Some have named the Wenzi (Wen Tzu) the fourth most influential Daoist text after the Dao De Jing, Zhuangzi, and Liezi. However scholars have questioned its authenticity because it contains Confucian, Legalist, and Mohist philosophies. (Creativity and Intertextuality, pages 8, 23, 25, 32, 61-65, 81, and 84).
Chapter Four is named Symbolic Sayings. Although it primarily includes Confucian philosophy there are some important Daoist teachings on morality, humility, and emptiness.
Morality
The sage recognizes that morality is relative to the time period, society, and nation.
“Different ages have different concerns; when times change, customs change. Laws are set up in consideration of the age, works are undertaken according to the time.“
The laws in the past are different than today because they were a product of their time and circumstances.
“The laws and measures of ancient rulers were dissimilar, not because they purposely contradicted one another, but because the tasks of their times were different. Therefore they did not take established laws for rules, but took for their rules the reasons why laws were laws, progressively changing along with the development of civilization.“
Laws should avoid including harsh punishments because this will backfire and cause others to retaliate.
“When laws are intricate and punishments severe, then the people become devious.”
Humility
The sage remains humble and acts small like the tiny source of a river. They know that humility gives them the highest chance of success.
“Lao-tzu said: By being like a river, which is flavorless but endlessly useful, starting out small and later becoming large.“
They do not talk arrogantly or act overbearing.
“Those who wish to be above others should lower themselves to them in their speech; those who wish to precede others should follow them.“
The sage stays humble and is not concerned with their reputation.
“People in ancient times who sustained themselves took pleasure in virtue and did not mind lowliness, so reputation could not affect their will.”
Humility helps one gain the respect and appreciation of others.
“Although they are on top, the people do not consider them a burden…The world gladly promotes them and does not tire of them. Even in other countries with different customs, everyone loves them. They can go anywhere successfully, so they are valued by the world.”
“Then the world will emulate their love and promote their humaneness and justice, so there will be no cruelty.”
It makes one more secure and reduces conflict, hate, and envy.
“although they are in the lead, the masses do not attack them.“
“Indeed, to be immune to stabbing and striking is still an embarrassment; it is not as good as causing people not to dare to stab you no matter how bold they are, not to dare to strike you no matter how clever they are.”
Emptiness
The sage focuses on emptiness which is their inward connection to the Dao. The superior student listens sincerely, the average student listens intellectually, while the lesser student only hears words.
“If you don’t study sincerely, you won’t listen to the Way deeply…so the highest learning involves listening with the spirit, middling learning involves listening with the mind, lower learning involves listening with the ear.”
The Dao De Jing influences this passage saying something very similar.
“The superior student listens to the Way and follows it closely. The average student listens to the way. And follows some and some not. The lesser student listens to the way and laughs out loud.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 41
The sage does not let the stress of the world bother them.
“To use a finite lifetime to worry and grieve over the chaos of the world is like weeping into a river to increase its water in fear of its drying up. Those who do not worry about the chaos of the world but enjoy order in their own bodies can be engaged in conversation about the Way.”
They are content with being in the moment. They do not let the pursuit of wealth distract them.
“They took pleasure in the Way and did not mind poverty, so profit could not move their minds. Therefore they were sober yet capable of enjoyment, quiet and able to be serene.“
They do not let misfortune affect them.
“When you go on the Way, it makes other people unable to wound you no matter how boldly they stab, unable to hit you no matter how skillfully they strike.“
Conclusion
The sage remains humble and is not concerned with their reputation. They know that humility gains one respect and appreciation as well as making one safer. The sage focuses on emptiness which is their inward connection to the Dao. They do not let stress or wealth distract them and are content with being in the moment.
Resources
Wen-Tzu, Understanding the Mysteries, Thomas Cleary, Translator. 1991.
The Book of Master Lie, Thomas Cleary, translator. 2011.
Tao Te Ching: The Taoism of Lao Tzu Explained, Stefan Stenudd, author. CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2nd edition 2015.
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