Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy Part 15

To know constancy is called "enlightenment."

Those who do not know constancy wantonly produce misfortune.

To know constancy is to be accommodating.

To be accommodating is to work for the good of all.

To work for the good of all is to be a true king.

To be a true king is to be Heavenly.

To be Heavenly is to embody the Way.

To embody the Way is to be long lived, And one will avoid danger to the end of one's days.34

Chapter Seventeen.

The greatest of rulers is but a shadowy presence; Next is the ruler who is loved and praised; Next is the one who is feared; Next is the one who is reviled.

Those lacking in trust are not trusted.35 But [the greatest rulers] are cautious and honor words.36 When their task is done and work complete,37 Their people all say, "This is just how we are."38

Chapter Eighteen.

When the great Way is abandoned, there are benevolence and righteousness.

When wisdom and intelligence come forth, there is great hypocrisy.

When the six familial relations.h.i.+ps are out of balance, there are kind parents and filial children.

When the state is in turmoil and chaos, there are loyal ministers.39

Chapter Nineteen.

Cut off sageliness, abandon wisdom, and the people will benefit one-hundred-fold.

Cut off benevolence, abandon righteousness, and the people will return to being filial and kind.

Cut off cleverness, abandon profit, and robbers and thieves will be no more.

This might leave the people lacking in culture; So give them something with which to identify: Manifest plainness.

Embrace simplicity.40 Do not think just of yourself.

Make few your desires.

Chapter Twenty.

Cut off learning and be without worry!

How much distance is there really between agreement and flattery?

How much difference is there between the fair and the foul?

What other people fear one cannot but fear.

Immense!

Yet still not at its limit!

The mult.i.tude are bright and merry; As if enjoying a grand festival; As if ascending a terrace in springtime.

I alone am still and inactive, revealing no sign;41 Like a child who has not yet learned to smile.

Weak and weary, I seem to have nowhere to go.

The mult.i.tude all have more than enough.

I alone seem to be at a loss.

I have the mind of a fool!

Listless and blank!

The common folk are bright and brilliant.

I alone am muddled and confused.

The common folk are careful and discriminating.

I alone am dull and inattentive.

Vast!

Like the ocean!

Blown about!

As if it would never end!

The mult.i.tude all have something to do.

I alone remain obstinate and immobile, like some old rustic. I alone differ from others, and value being nourished by mother.

Chapter Twenty-One.

The outward appearance of great Virtue comes forth from the Way alone. As for the Way, it is vague and elusive.

Vague and elusive!

Within is an image.42 Vague and elusive!

Within is a thing.

Withdrawn and dark!

Within is an essence.

This essence is genuine and authentic.

Within there is trust.

From ancient times until the present day, its name has never left it.

It is how we know the origin of all things.

How do I know what the origin of all things is like?

Through this!

Chapter Twenty-Two.

Those who are crooked will be perfected.

Those who are bent will be straight.

Those who are empty will be full.

Those who are worn will be renewed.

Those who have little will gain.

Those who have plenty will be confounded.

This is why sages embrace the One and serve as models for the whole world.43 They do not make a display of themselves and so are ill.u.s.trious.

They do not affirm their own views and so are well known.

They do not brag about themselves and so are accorded merit.

They do not boast about themselves and so are heard of for a long time.44 Because they do not contend, no one in the world can contend with them.45 The ancient saying "Those who are crooked will be perfected" is not without substance!46 Truly the sages are and remain perfect.

Chapter Twenty-Three.

To be sparing with words is what comes naturally.

And so, A bl.u.s.tery wind does not last all morning; A heavy downpour does not last all day.

Who produces these? Heaven and earth!

If not even Heaven and earth can keep things going for a long time, How much less can human beings?

This is why one should follow the Way in all that one does.

One who follows the Way identifies with the Way.

One who follows Virtue identifies with Virtue.