Tao Te Ching 24

In this particular day I shall interpret a verse from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, namely verse 24.  In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:

“24. He who stands on tiptoe is not steady.

He who strides forward does not go.

He who shows himself is not luminous.

He who justifies himself is not prominent.

He who boasts of himself is not given credit.

He who brags does not endure for long.

From the point of view of Tao, these are like remnants of

                food and tumors of action,

Which all creatures detest.

Therefore who possess Tao turn away from them.” ¹

Firstly, let us discuss the theme of the verse.  The theme of the verse revolves around the concept of “wu wei” and spontaneity.   What Lao Tzu meant by “wu-wei” or “non-action” does not mean not doing anything concerning a specific situation.  What he meant by “non-action” is that one must do less or enough, not too much.  On the other hand, what Lao Tzu meant by “spontaneity” is acting without artificiality.  Lao Tzu presents these concepts to give emphasis on the individual not bringing harm to himself.  Lao Tzu also gives emphasis on doing things not by artificiality or robotic conformity because it negates the essence of the individual’s nature.

Let us observe this as we go over the verse.  Let us go over the first six lines in the verse. 

“He who stands on tiptoe is not steady.

He who strides forward does not go.

He who shows himself is not luminous.

He who justifies himself is not prominent.

He who boasts of himself is not given credit.

He who brags does not endure for long.”

It can be understood from these lines the notion of “overdoing.”  This is implied in the actions of standing on tiptoe, striding forward, showing oneself, justifying oneself, boasting oneself, and bragging about oneself.   Overdoing is done in a way that the individual does what is not needed at the moment.  This is manifested when one does things with rigidity.  This is what the notion of “standing on tiptoe” implies.  Doing things with rigidity does not give one a huge gain, rather it leads one to pain, misery and inner chaos.  Thus, it makes him “not steady”.   Another way of looking at doing unnecessary things would be in terms of making oneself be recognized.  It is unnecessary because it makes the individual egoistic or self-centered.  Having this ego then, can lead him to injury and misery, for he “fits his being into something not of his size.”    This means that he does not know himself.   He does not accept what he has and what he is.  This in turn, is does not lead to a good life.  This is because the individual cannot fully exercise his capabilities in the most natural way possible.  This “natural” way is the way in which no superficial criteria is to be followed, which makes the individual be comfortable and happy in what he is doing.

Now we will continue with the remaining lines in the verse.

“From the point of view of Tao, these are like remnants of

                food and tumors of action,

Which all creatures detest.

Therefore who possess Tao turn away from them.”

In these lines, we can draw the conclusion about “non-action” and “spontaneity”.   They imply that a life full of rigidity and overworking cannot give happiness to a person.  Rather, it makes him desperate.   The solution to this dilemma is to fashion one’s life in accordance to Tao, that is, living one’s life according to one’s nature with humility and joy.

Lao Tzu’s concepts of “non-action” (“wu-wei”) and “spontaneity”   give a picture of a life in accordance to Tao.   These two are the real elements of a happy life.   Pressures, pride, rigidity, self-centeredness, and other unnecessary things disturb these elements and place a person’s life to turmoil.   These things are blockades to achieving more in life.  They drain a person’s strength and blind him about appropriate things.  Not being rigid makes one become closer to his nature.  One does not need to force himself or overdo something for the sake of satisfaction.   What he needs to do is to take care of himself by doing things in a natural pace.  One does not need to hurry or rush on things.    In this way, one is careful and just simply noble.  His life is an example of order and unity established in the essence of what is natural.

Source:

  1.       Wing Tsit Chan, “The Natural Way of Lao Tzu”, (United States: Princeton University Press, 1963), In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy,152.