Notes
Quite a few translations render "three in ten" as one-third. This is not correct. If that is what Lao Tzu wanted to express, he would simply say "one in three," which would rule out any possibility of confusion.
The fourth category, the rare one person out of ten, is not specifically stated, only implied. As a result, many interpretations miss it completely. Now that you have seen this translation and know what you're looking for, try comparing it with other translations and you should be able to see it more clearly than before.
51
Tao produces them
Virtue raises them
Things shape them
Forces perfect them
Therefore all things respect the Tao and value virtue
The respect for Tao, the value of virtue
Not due to command but to constant nature
Thus Tao produces them
Virtue raises them
Grows them, educates them
Perfects them, matures them
Nurtures them, protects them
Produces but does not possess
Acts but does not flaunt
Nurtures but does not dominate
This is called mystic virtue
The Tao is the source of creation. The Tao gives birth to all living things.
Virtue raises all living things. In other words, all living things grow and develop by virtue of the life force within them. Their virtue is their inherent power of life, which is an essential part of the Tao.
The tangible aspects of the environment shape all living things. The physical environment
Therefore, there are none of the myriad things who do not venerate the Tao
or esteem itsvirtue.
This veneration of the Tao and esteeming of its virtue is something they do naturally, withoutbeing forced.
Therefore, Tao gives birth.
Its virtue rears, develops, raises, adjusts and disciplines,
Nourishes, covers and protects,
Produces but does not possess,
Acts without expectation,
Leads without forcing.
This is called "Mysterious Virtue."
When the Tao produces and its energy nourishes,
nature forms and natural forces establish. On this account there is nothing that does not honor the Tao and reverence its energy. This honor and reverence are spontaneous, not the result of a mandate.
So the Tao produces. Its energy nourishes, increases, feeds, establishes, matures, controls, broods over.
It produces, but keeps nothing for itself; acts, but does not depend on its action; increases, but does not insist on having its own way. This indeed is the mystery of energy.
52
The world has a beginning
We regard it as the mother of the world
Having its mother
We can know her children
Knowing her children
Still holding on to the mother
Live without danger all through life
Close the mouth
t the doors
Live without toil all through life
Open the mouth
Meddle in the affairs
Live without salvation all through life
Seeing details is called clarity
Holding on to the soft is called strength
Utilize the light
Return to the clarity
Leaving no disasters for the self
This is called following constancy
53
If I have a little knowledge
Walking on the great Tao
I fear only to deviate from it
The great Tao is broad and plain
But people like the side paths
The courts are corrupt
The fields are barren
The warehouses are empty
Officials wear fineries
Carry sharp swords
Fill up on drinks and food
Acquire excessive wealth
This is called robbery
It is not the Tao!
54
That which is well established cannot be uprooted
That which is strongly held cannot be taken
The descendants will commemorate it forever
Cultivate it in yourself, its virtue shall be true
Cultivate it in the family, its virtue shall be abundant
Cultivate it in the community, its virtue shall be lasting
Cultivate it in the country, its virtue shall be prosperous
Cultivate it in the world, its virtue shall be widespread
Therefore observe others with yourself
Observe other families with your family
Observe other communities with your community
Observe other countries with your country
Observe the world with the world
With what do I know the world?
With this
The well-established cannot be uprooted.
The well-grasped does not slip away.
Generation after generation carries out the ancestor worship without break.
Cultivate it in yourself and virtue will be real.
Cultivate it in the family and virtue will overflow.
Cultivate it in the town and virtue will be great.
Cultivate it in the country and virtue will abundant.
Cultivate it in the world and virtue will be everywhere.
Therefore, take yourself and observe yourself.
Take the family and observe the family.
Take the town and observe the town.
Take the country and observe the country.
Take the world and observe the world.
How do I know the world as it is?
By this.
Who plants well will not have his work uprooted; who embraces well will not lose what he holds;
the offerings of his sons and grandsons will never end.
Who thus regulates himself has virtue which is genuine; who thus regulates his household has virtue which overflows; who thus regulates his neighborhood has virtue which excels; who thus regulates the state has virtue which abounds; who thus regulates the world has virtue which is universal.
Therefore let every man prove himself; let each household, neighborhood, and state do the same; let the world also follow the same course.
How do I know that it must be thus with the world? By this same (which has been just said).
55
Those who hold an abundance of virtue
Are similar to newborn infants
Poisonous insects do not sting them
Wild beasts do not claw them
Birds of prey do not attack them
Their bones are weak, tendons are soft
But their grasp is firm
They do not know of sexual union but can manifest arousal
Due to the optimum of essence
They can cry the whole day and yet not be hoarse
Due to the optimum of harmony
Knowing harmony is said to be constancy
Knowing constancy is said to be clarity
Excessive vitality is said to be inauspicious
Mind overusing energy is said to be aggressive
Things become strong and then grow old
This is called contrary to the Tao
That which is contrary to the Tao will soon perish
Tao cultivators wish to return to a purer and simpler state of mind. It is a state full of bliss and grace. We have all experienced it as infants, but have forgotten as we grew up and became more and more affected by the material world.
Infants are protected from danger. Someone who has cultivated much virtue and thus become more child-like is likewise protected. Just as infants are protected by their loving parents, virtuous cultivators are protected by the all-nurturing mother, the Tao. By following the Tao, they cannot be stung by poisonous insects of malicious gossip, clawed by the wild beasts of fear and anger, or attacked by the vicious birds of greed and envy.
Such virtuous cultivators may appear soft and yielding, and yet they have a firm handle on their goals and objectives. They are flexible in their approach, and unwavering in their determination.
They live life with energy and vitality. They possess the optimum essence of health, so that every day is exciting, fun, and creative. Just as babies cry all day without getting hoarse, they can concentrate on difficult tasks for an extended period of time without getting tired.
Their energy works in perfect harmony with their surroundings. This harmonious interaction arises from their constant purpose and sense of mission. They understand the meaning of life - why they are here and what they are here to do - and this clarity of vision powers their every thought and action.
They can endure the test of time because they never overdo anything. They do not cultivate physical vitality to excess, nor do they overtax the mind. If life is a race, then they are marathon runners, not sprinters. Sprinters may be able to surge forward in an explosive burst of speed, but within minutes their strength is depleted. Soon after, they collapse in a heap of exhaustion. It is inevitable and contrary to the lasting and enduring Tao of the true cultivators.
Notes
The ancient sages spoke of sexuality in an open and direct manner because they saw it as part of nature, and not something about which to feel shame or guilt. They see nothing "filthy" or "disgusting" about it. Instead, they acknowledge and utilize its vast creative powers.
56
Those who know do not talk
Those who talk do not know
Close the mouth
t the doors
Blunt the sharpness
Unravel the knots
Dim the glare
Mix the dust
This is called mystic oneness
They cannot obtain this and be closer
They cannot obtain this and be distant
They cannot obtain this and be benefited
They cannot obtain this and be harmed
They cannot obtain this and be valued
They cannot obtain this and be degraded
Therefore, they become honored by the world
The truly wise understand the Tao, so they know that actions speak louder than words. Rather than to talk endlessly about what they should do or how they should be, they put their time and effort into the actual doing and being.
On the other hand, those who prattle on and on only demonstrate that they know little about the Tao. They spend so much time talking about what they think they know that they end up not putting any of it into actual practice. Without real-life applications, the Tao means nothing.
Tao cultivators close openings and doors - the passages that lead to, or allow in, the many temptations and distractions of the material world. They realize that the sensory thrills of such distractions are short-lived and ultimately illusory, so they prefer to stick to the real and practical.
When interacting with others, they are gentle and compassionate, because caustic and abrasive words can form a sharp edge that hurts people. Their gentle approach unravels the complexities of personal interactions, so they can enjoy a simple, direct connection with fellow human beings that is mutually enriching.
They are also humble and full of self-effacing humor, because those who like to show off their mental brilliance end up alienating people with the blinding glare of their arrogance.
True Tao cultivators do not try to set themselves apart from the rest of humanity. They do not go into hermitage far away from civilization. Instead, they are fully immersed in the dust of the material world where they can really put their spiritual cultivation to the test.
All of the above are aspects of what we call "Mystic Oneness." It is a crucial element in any spiritual path.
Those who achieve true understanding of Mystic Oneness (whether they call it by that name or not) are the ones who can be fully involved with life in the material world... and yet transcend beyond it. One cannot influence them by getting close to them or treating them in a cold and distant manner. They are unmoved by the promise of benefits or threats of injury. It is equally useless to flatter them, feed their ego, or attempt to pummel them into submission by degrading or condemning them.
Such people are truly exceptional, and that is why they will invariably become honored by the entire world.
Notes
If the above descriptions are too vague or abstract, think of Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama. These are concrete, real-life examples of human beings who have attained the level of Mystic Oneness. Read the interpretation above with these exceptional individuals in mind, and you will find that this chapter is an incredibly accurate and exact description of their true character.
57
Govern a country with upright integrity
Deploy the military with surprise tactics
Take the world with non-interference
How do I know this is so?
With the following:
When there are many restrictions in the world
The people become more impoverished
When people have many sharp weapons
The country becomes more chaotic
When people have many clever tricks
More strange things occur
The more laws are posted
The more robbers and thieves there are
Therefore the sage says:
I take minimal action, and the people transform themselves
I prefer quiet, and the people right themselves
I do not interfere, and the people enrich themselves
I have no desires, and the people simplify themselves
Ruling a country and using the military are two sides of the coin, and require two different approaches. Using clever tactics to surprise and confuse the enemy is extremely advantageous in that victory can be quickly achieved with minimal loss of troops. Ruling a country is just the opposite. You wouldn't want to use clever tactics to surprise and confuse your own people. Instead, you want to treat them with straightforward honesty, and communicate in a way that is clear and easy to understand.
The ruler who meddles always ends up with poor results. Therefore, wise rulers refrain from interference. They don't try to change people - it is an impossible and thankless task. Instead, they let nature take its course. Their role is to provide gentle guidance.
Throughout history, sages have studied human society and made careful observations. They note that the more rules and regulations there are, the poorer people become. This in turn weakens the ruler's power base - exactly the opposite of what the ruler tried to achieve with rules and regulations in the first place.
In such a restrictive and impoverished environment, many people turn to crime as a way to survive. They take up weapons to steal or rob; violence and chaos increase as a result. They also become increasingly tricky in attempts to get around restrictions or exploit loop holes. Their cunning will often yield surprising and even bizarre results.
The above is why the sage would advise the emperor as follows:
If I were you, I would not take actions with any attachments or expectations of some specific outcome. This lack of contrivance will naturally lead the people toward self-transformation.
I would clear my mind and quiet the internal chatter before attending to the affairs of the people. My calmness and serenity can't help but have an effect on people so that they will wish to straighten things out themselves.
