Chapter 38: The Way, Effortless Action, Virtue
The sage never strives and doesn’t force things. They don’t plan or set goals.
“The highest good is not to seek to do good, but to allow yourself to become it. The ordinary person seeks to do good things, and finds that they can not do them continually.”
They are benevolent, righteous, wise, knowledgeable, flexible, and loyal.
“The kind person acts from the heart, and accomplishes a multitude of things. The righteous person acts out of pity, yet leaves many things undone. The moral person will act out of duty, and when no one will respond will roll up his sleeves and use force.”
However, if one actively tries to be virtuous it becomes artificial and insincere.
“When the Dao is forgotten, there is righteousness. When righteousness is forgotten, there is morality. When morality is forgotten, there is the law. The law is the husk of faith, and trust is the beginning of chaos.”
They follow the Way because it is the highest path and the true source.
“The master abides in the fruit and not in the husk. She dwells in the Dao, and not with the things that hide it. This is how she increases in wisdom.”
Chapter 39: Way, Nature, Leadership
The Way unifies the lowest valleys all the way up to the heavens and animates plants, animals, and insects.
“The masters of old attained unity with the Dao. Heaven attained unity and became pure. The earth attained unity and found peace. The spirits attained unity so they could minister. The valleys attained unity that they might be full. Humanity attained unity that they might flourish.”
A leader makes humility their root like a large valley lying below.
“The great view the small as their source, and the high takes the low as their foundation. Their greatest asset becomes their humility. They speak of themselves as orphans and widows, thus they truly seek humility. Do not shine like the precious gem, but be as dull as a common stone.”
Chapter 41: The Way, Success
The sage finds success by following the Way.
“When a superior person hears of the Dao, she diligently puts it into practice. When an average person hears of the Dao, he believes half of it, and doubts the other half. When a foolish person hears of the Dao, he laughs out loud at the very idea.”
Chapter 42: The Way, Harmony, Nature, Leadership, Contentment, Moderation, Humility, Flexibility, Success
The Way created the one which multiplied and eventually evolved into all of nature.
“The Dao gave birth to One. The One gave birth to Two. The Two gave birth to Three. The Three gave birth to all of creation.”
As the sage finds balance in their life they start to recognize that the universe is a mixture of passive and active energy.
“All things carry Yin yet embrace Yang.”
They reach harmony with the Way by blending themselves with it.
“They blend their life breaths in order to produce harmony.”
Most people don’t want to be seen as low or unworthy but the sage doesn’t seek status and is not afraid to be looked down upon.
“People despise being orphaned, widowed and poor. But the noble ones take these as their titles.”
They know that gain comes from loss. By putting themselves last they help others and become fulfilled. They are not forceful which prevents retaliation.
“In losing, much is gained, and in gaining, much is lost. What others teach I too will teach: ‘The strong and violent will not die a natural death.'”
Chapter 43: Effortless Action, Flexibility, Usefulness, Success
Effortless action allows the weak to overcome the strong. The sage embraces passivity and flows through life. They find success by being flexible and yielding. By offering no resistance they can overcome the hardest challenges.
“That which offers no resistance, overcomes the hardest substances. That which offers no resistance can enter where there is no space. Few in the world can comprehend the teaching without words, or understand the value of non-action.”
Chapter 44: Simplicity, Contentment, Moderation, Humility, Usefulness, Success
Pursuing wealth is not fulfilling because fortunes are easily lost.
“Which is more important, your honor or your life? Which is more valuable, your possessions or your person? Which is more destructive, success or failure? Because of this, great love extracts a great cost and true wealth requires greater loss.”
Moderation protects one from being dishonored and provides longevity. Humility prevents disgrace and minimizes harm. The sage knows that too many possessions lead to disrespect and stress
“Knowing when you have enough avoids dishonor, and knowing when to stop will keep you from danger and bring you a long, happy life.”
Chapter 45: The Way, Emptiness, Contentment, Moderation, Usefulness
The Way is never exhausted and always abundant. It is peaceful and still. If one has every possession they want they still won’t be content. Reflection helps determine a thing’s true usefulness. What appears lacking at first may really be complete and abundant.
“The greatest accomplishments seem imperfect, yet their usefulness is not diminished. The greatest fullness seems empty, yet it will be inexhaustible.”
The sage uses moderation to reach balance. Each individual has to find the balance that works for them including the amount of indulgence, coordination, and eloquence.
“The greatest straightness seems crooked. The most valued skill seems like clumsiness. The greatest speech seems full of stammers. Movement overcomes the cold, and stillness overcomes the heat. That which is pure and still is the universal ideal.”
Chapter 46: Simplicity, Contentment, Moderation
The sage embraces simplicity because it gets them closer to the Way. They are not distracted by desires and know when they have enough. Desire is based on greed and leads to discontent.
“There is no greater transgression than condoning people’s selfish desires, no greater disaster than being discontent, and no greater retribution than for greed. Whoever knows contentment will be at peace forever.”
Contentment is the ultimate state of being.
“Whoever knows contentment will be at peace forever.”
Chapter 47: The Way, Harmony, Emptiness, Usefulness
The sage seeks harmony with the Way through emptiness which is a centered state where one is connected with creation. They find peace and contentment and are unburdened by thoughts or desires. One reaches emptiness through reflection and mediation. This does not require travel but an internal connection with the Way.
“Without opening your door, you can know the whole world. Without looking out your window, you can understand the way of the Dao. The more knowledge you seek, the less you will understand.”
They use reflection to shift their perspective.
“The Master understands without leaving, sees clearly without looking, accomplishes much without doing anything.”
Chapter 48: Effortless Action, Simplicity, Leadership, Usefulness
Simplicity is a helpful virtue because it allows one to appreciate what’s truly important. The sage discards the unessential and focuses on the Way.
“One who seeks knowledge learns something new every day. One who seeks the Dao unlearns something new every day. Less and less remains until you arrive at non-action. When you arrive at non-action, nothing will be left undone.”
A leader never seeks office to control others.
“Mastery of the world is achieved by letting things take their natural course. You can not master the world by changing the natural way.”
Chapter 49: Compassion, Virtue
Compassion can be challenging because it means being good to those who are not good and faithful to those who are not faithful.
“Those who are good she treats as good. Those who aren’t good she also treats as good. This is how she attains true goodness. She trusts people who are trustworthy. She also trusts people who aren’t trustworthy.”
One should have compassion for all people.
“The Master’s mind is shut off from the world. Only for the sake of the people does she muddle her mind. They look to her in anticipation. Yet she treats them all as her children.”
Chapter 50: The Way, Harmony, Contentment
The sage seeks harmony with the Way by trying to find contentment in the present moment. Many live their lives searching for happiness. Some play it safe, some take risks, while others indulge. None of these paths lead to contentment. Instead one should reduce desires, live simply, and practice moderation.
“Those who leave the womb at birth and those who enter their source at death, of these; three out of ten celebrate life, three out of ten celebrate death, and three out of ten simply go from life to death. What is the reason for this? Because they are afraid of dying, therefore they can not live.”
They no longer fear injury or death because they see everything as part of the Way.
“I have heard that those who celebrate life walk safely among the wild animals. When they go into battle, they remain unharmed. The animals find no place to attack them and the weapons are unable to harm them. Why? Because they can find no place for death in them.“
Chapter 51: The Way, Nature, Harmony, Virtue
The sage recognizes they are part of nature and should live in harmony with it. Spending time outdoors helps one become grounded, calm, and feel interconnected.
“The Dao gives birth to all of creation. The virtue of Dao in nature nurtures them, and their families give them their form. Their environment then shapes them into completion. That is why every creature honors the Dao and its virtue.”
They never strive for virtue because this is forced and superficial.
“No one tells them to honor the Dao and its virtue, it happens all by itself. So the Dao gives them birth, and its virtue cultivates them, cares for them, nurtures them, gives them a place of refuge and peace, helps them to grow and shelters them.”
The Way is the source of all virtue and morality.
“It gives them life without wanting to posses them, and cares for them expecting nothing in return. It is their master, but it does not seek to dominate them. This is called the dark and mysterious virtue.”
Chapter 52: Compassion, Flexibility, Usefulness
The sage sees the small and protects the weak. One should never underestimate the usefulness of the small.
“To understand the small is called clarity. Knowing how to yield is called strength. To use your inner light for understanding regardless of the danger is called depending on the Constant.”
Chapter 53: Simplicity
The sage prioritizes their well being and sees all else as excess.
“To wear fancy clothes and ornaments, to have your fill of food and drink and to waste all of your money buying possessions is called the crime of excess. Oh, how these things go against the way of the Dao!”
Chapter 54: Compassion, Flexibility
The sage knows deep roots helps one survive.
“That which is well built will never be torn down. That which is well latched can not slip away. Those who do things well will be honored from generation to generation.”
They empathize with families, towns, nations, and the entire world.
“Then observe the person for what the person does, and observe the family for what it does, and observe the community for what it does, and observe the country for what it does, and observe the world for what it does.”
Chapter 55: The Way, Harmony, Effortless Action, Simplicity, Success
Simplicity allows one to return to a child like state.
“One who is filled with the Dao is like a newborn child.”
It protects them and helps them avoid harm.
“The infant is protected from the stinging insects, wild beasts, and birds of prey…This is perfect harmony.“
One way to seek harmony is through effortless action where one doesn’t force something to happen. To take action only when it feels natural and flows with the Way.
“The master understands that when something reaches its prime it will soon begin to decline. Changing the natural is against the way of the Dao. Those who do it will come to an early end.“
Chapter 56: Emptiness
Emptiness is a union with the Way in which one is not abandoned, neglected, or humiliated.
“Stop talking, meditate in silence, blunt your sharpness, release your worries, harmonize your inner light, and become one with the dust. Doing this is the called the dark and mysterious identity. Those who have achieved the mysterious identity can not be approached, and they can not be alienated. They can not be benefited nor harmed. They can not be made noble nor to suffer disgrace. This makes them the most noble of all under the heavens.”
Chapter 57: Leadership, Effortless Action, Usefulness
A leader hesitates to act and only does so when it feels natural.
“Govern your country with integrity, Weapons of war can be used with great cunning, but loyalty is only won by not-doing.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 57
They know that excessive laws leads to unhappiness and law breaking.
“The more prohibitions you make, the poorer people will be…The more laws that you make, the greater the number of criminals.”
Too many laws lead to unhappiness.
“The more prohibitions you make, the poorer people will be.”
They don’t boast or use violence to attain power.
“The more weapons you possess, the greater the chaos in your country.”
They hesitate to restrict others because they know it only creates resentment.
“The more laws that you make, the greater the number of criminals.”
The leader allows the people the freedom to live their lives and be their true self. Effortless action is useful because one acts only when it is aligned with the Way. Sometimes it is best not to act at all.
“Therefore the Master says: I do nothing, and people become good by themselves. I seek peace, and people take care of their own problems. I do not meddle in their personal lives, and the people become prosperous. I let go of all my desires, and the people return to the Uncarved Block.”
Chapter 58: Moderation
Happiness doesn’t have meaning without sadness.
“Good fortune has its roots in disaster, and disaster lurks with good fortune. Who knows why these things happen, or when this cycle will end?”
Chapter 59: Leadership, Contentment, Moderation, Effortless Action, Success
Leaders should be moderate to prevent unforeseen problems in the future and find contentment. Living in moderation reduces jealousy by showing others how to live simply.
“There is nothing better than moderation for teaching people or serving Heaven. Those who use moderation are already on the path to the Dao.”
When one is in harmony with the Way they are filled with virtue.
“Those who follow the Dao early will have an abundance of virtue.”
This allows them to accomplish many things.
“When there is an abundance of virtue, there is nothing that can not be done.”
It leads to a longer healthier life and helps one prioritize what is most important.
“This is spoken of as the deep root and the firm trunk, the Way to a long life and great spiritual vision.”
Chapter 60: Compassion
One should return the animosity of others with compassion.
“If you give evil nothing to oppose, then virtue will return by itself.”
Chapter 61: Flexibility, Leadership
The sage is reflective and yielding.
“The female overcomes the male by the power of her position. Her tranquility gives rise to her humility.”
A leader should be willing to yield to create a positive and long lasting relationship.
“If a large country takes the low position, it will be able to influence smaller countries. If smaller countries take the lower position, then they can allow themselves to be influenced. So both seek to take the lower position in order to influence the other, or be influenced.”
Chapter 62: The Way
The Way is the source.
“The Dao is the tabernacle of creation, it is a treasure for those who are good, and a place of refuge for those who are not.”
Chapter 63: Effortless Action, Leadership, Humility, Success
The sage never struggles for greatness or accomplishments. They never strive or force action.
“Act by not acting; do by not doing.”
The virtue of humility helps one find success by being willing to deal with the smallest of problems.
“Take care of difficult problems while they are still easy; Do easy things before they become too hard. Difficult problems are best solved while they are easy.”
They never take on too much at one time.
“The Master never takes on more than she can handle, which means that she leaves nothing undone.”
They always expect difficulty as a result of any action.
“The master expects great difficulty, so the task is always easier than planned.”
Chapter 64: Effortless Action, Humility, Contentment, Success
Dealing with issues while they are still small prevents them from becoming unmanageable.
“Things are easier to control while things are quiet...Prevent problems before they arise. Take action before things get out of hand.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 64
The sage knows that every accomplishment starts with the tiniest of steps.
“The tallest tree begins as a tiny sprout. The tallest building starts with one shovel of dirt. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single footstep.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 64
They know that failure happens when action is forced because it interferes with the natural flow.
“If you rush into action, you will fail. If you hold on too tight, you will lose your grip.”
Rashness leads to failure so one should let things develop naturally.
“Therefore the Master lets things take their course and thus never fails. She doesn’t hold on to things and never loses them. By pursing your goals too relentlessly, you let them slip away.”
They stay in the moment and are not concerned with the outcome. This allows them to perform at their highest ability.
“If you are as concerned about the outcome as you are about the beginning, then it is hard to do things wrong.”
They are successful because they do not seek material things. Rather they focus on finding contentment.
“The master seeks no possessions. She learns by unlearning, thus she is able to understand all things. This gives her the ability to help all of creation.”
Chapter 66: Humility, Leadership
Because water sets itself low it can overcome any obstacles.
“Rivers and seas are rulers of the streams of hundreds of valleys because of the power of their low position.”
The leader should willingly put themselves beneath others.
“If you want to be the ruler of people, you must speak to them like you are their servant. If you want to lead other people, you must put their interest ahead of your own.”
Chapter 67: Simplicity, Compassion, Moderation, Humility, Virtue
The three most important virtues are compassion, moderation, and humility.
“There are three jewels that I cherish: compassion, moderation, and humility.”
Compassion involves helping those who are rejected, weak, and alone.
“With compassion, you will be able to be brave.”
Humility is essential for a leader. Moderation allows one to be generous because it saves resources that can be shared with others.
“With humility, you will be able to become a great leader. To abandon compassion while seeking to be brave, or abandoning moderation while being benevolent, or abandoning humility while seeking to lead will only lead to greater trouble.”
Chapter 69: Leadership, Effortless Action, Flexibility, Success
The leader hesitates to act and is willing to yield. They are always ready to retreat.
“It is better to become the passive in order to see what will happen. It is better to retreat a foot than to advance only an inch.”
This allows them to press without force, take without effort, and push without opposing. They never underestimate the backlash against their actions.
“This is called being flexible while advancing, pushing back without using force, and destroying the enemy without engaging him.”
They don’t underestimate a challenge.
“There is no greater disaster than underestimating your enemy.”
Chapter 71: Humility, Usefulness, Effortless Action, Success
When one is humble they realize they don’t know everything.
“Knowing you don’t know is wholeness. Thinking you know is a disease. Only by recognizing that you have an illness can you move to seek a cure.”
Chapter 73: The Way, Effortless Action, Flexibility
The sage remains cautious and doesn’t take unreasonable risks.
“Being over bold and confident is deadly. The wise use of caution will keep you alive.”
The Way never contends yet always succeeds. One doesn’t contend and yet still finds success.
“The Dao of the universe does not compete, yet wins.”
Nothing can escape the Way and it is found everywhere.
“The nets of Heaven are wide, but nothing escapes its grasp.”
Chapter 74: Flexibility
Flexibility represents life while rigidness represents death. The mighty oak tree appears strong but refuses to bend in the storm. The bamboo appears weak but bends with the wind and survives.
“The living are soft and yielding; the dead are rigid and stiff. Living plants are flexible and tender; the dead are brittle and dry. Those who are stiff and rigid are the disciple of death. Those who are soft and yielding are the disciples of life.”
Chapter 75: Leadership, Compassion
A leader keeps taxes light.
“When people go hungry, the government’s taxes are too high.”
They give people freedom to live their lives.
“When people become rebellious, the government has become too intrusive.”
Chapter 76: Flexibility, Usefulness
Rigidness usually leads to failure.
“Those who are stiff and rigid are the disciple of death…The rigid and stiff will be broken.”
Chapter 77: Effortless Action, Simplicity, Moderation
The Way lowers those claiming to be superior and raises those who lower themselves.
“The Dao of Heaven works in the world like the drawing of a bow. The top is bent downward; the bottom is bent up.”
Without simplicity one’s essence is divided and their energy is weakened.
“The excess is taken from, and the deficient is given to. The Dao works to use the excess, and gives to that which is depleted.”
The Way simplifies and reduces.
“The way of people is to take from the depleted, and give to those who already have an excess. Who is able to give to the needy from their excess? Only someone who is following the way of the Dao.”
The sage never seeks praise.
“This is why the Master gives expecting nothing in return. She does not dwell on her past accomplishments, and does not glory in any praise.”
Chapter 78: Humility, Flexibility, Leadership, Usefulness, Success
Consider the flexible nature of water. Although it is soft it suffers no harm when struck. It can be peaceful, choppy, or crash as a wave. Water adjusts to its environment and flows around obstacles. Flexibility is one of the most useful virtues because it allows the weak to overcome the strong. Water yields yet can overcome the hardest rocks.
“Water is the softest and most yielding substance. Yet nothing is better than water, for overcoming the hard and rigid, because nothing can compete with it. Everyone knows that the soft and yielding overcomes the rigid and hard, but few can put this knowledge into practice.”
A leader takes responsibility for the failures of the group.
“Only he who is the lowest servant of the kingdom, is worthy to become its ruler. He who is willing to tackle the most unpleasant tasks, is the best ruler in the world.”
Chapter 79: The Way, Leadership, Flexibility, Success
After a leader resolves a conflict they never make demands of others. They make peace with adversaries and honor their agreements.
“Difficulties remain, even after solving a problem. How then can we consider that as good? Therefore the Master does what she knows is right, and makes no demands of others.”
The Way is always impartial.
“The Dao does not choose sides, the good person receives from the Dao because she is on its side.”
Chapter 80: Simplicity
The sage returns to a simpler time.
“Let people enjoy the simple technologies, let them enjoy their food, let them make their own clothes, let them be content with their own homes, and delight in the customs that they cherish.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 80
Chapter 81: Effortless Action, Simplicity, Compassion, Contentment, Flexibility
The sage doesn’t contend or argue with others.
“Wise men don’t need to debate; men who need to debate are not wise.”
They know they can’t conquer the world so they don’t bother trying. They avoid extravagance and the more they help others the more content they are.
“Since the things she does are for the people, she has more than she needs. The more she gives to others, the more she has for herself.”
The Way does not force or compete.
“The Dao of Heaven nourishes by not forcing. The Dao of the Wise person acts by not competing.”
Resource:
Tao Te Ching, Laozi, A Translation for the Public Domain by J.H. Mcdonald, 1996.
