In this particular day I shall
interpret a verse from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, namely verse 30. In A
Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:
“30. He who assists the ruler
with Tao does not dominate the
world with force.
The use of force usually brings requital.
Wherever armies are stationed, briers and thorns grow.
Great wars are always followed by famines.
A good (general) achieves his purpose and stops,
But dares not seek to dominate the world.
He achieves his purpose but does not brag about it.
He achieves his purpose but does not boast about it.
He achieves his purpose but is not proud of it.
He achieves his purpose but only as an unavoidable step.
He achieves his purpose but does not aim to dominate.
(For) after things reach their prime, they begin to grow old,
Which means being contrary to Tao.
Whatever contrary to Tao will soon perish.” 1
Firstly, let us discuss the theme of the verse. The theme of the verse revolves around
humility. Humility is deemed important
in the face of the Tao, for it manifests the way things are. It manifests simplicity and contentment. Being proud only hinted too much knowledge
and desire. It is in this notion that
one pushes himself out of his “natural” way of doing things, which can only do
him harm. Lao Tzu proposes humility as
one of the ways to live a happy life, for it makes one embrace his nature and
appreciate it all the more.
Let us observe this notion as we go over the said verse. Let us go over the first twelve lines in the
verse.
“He who assists the ruler with Tao does not dominate the
world with force.
The use of force usually brings requital.
Wherever armies are stationed, briers and thorns grow.
Great wars are always followed by famines.
A good (general) achieves his purpose and stops,
But dares not seek to dominate the world.
He achieves his purpose but does not brag about it.
He achieves his purpose but does not boast about it.
He achieves his purpose but is not proud of it.
He achieves his purpose but only as an unavoidable step.
He achieves his purpose but does not aim to dominate.”
“Humility” means that individual does not do what is unnecessary and
unworthy. He does not employ force
because it only gives out violence.
Force prevents one from being reasonably lowly. He does not “force”
himself in doing things that prevents him from acting in his natural pace. He also does not “force” actions that must be
done by the people around him. He does
not “force” as an artificial solution or way of things. Such action would only result in going
against nature. It can be said then,
that “humility” can prevent one from causing harm or injury both to himself and
everything around him. Doing too much, or “forcing” too much about a
particular activity can only breed more harm.
In using “force” one brings requital of the negative kind, such as
selfishness and insatiable hungers for a certain thing. In “humility”, one lets go of desires. This is because he appreciates what he has
and focuses his attention on it. He knows what is “necessary” and learns contentment. In being contented, one can live simply. This simple living, one becomes happy and
fulfilled. He enjoys what is there and
let it grow with courage, self-respect and humility. He does not dominate. Domination is a thing of a person who is
insecure and not contented. It is the
very manifestation of pride and selfishness.
Now let us continue to the remaining lines in the verse:
“(For) after things reach their prime, they begin to grow old,
Which means being contrary to Tao.
Whatever contrary to Tao will soon perish.”
In these last lines, one realizes that when he ceases to “humble”
himself, he “reaches his prime”. This
means that he broke from his natural pace and went to his “prime”. This “prime” in here implies one overworking
and overdoing things. Overdoing,
however, is contrary to the natural way an individual does things. It is contrary to the movement of Tao. In this contradiction, one “perishes”, for he
accumulates injuries and other “negative requitals” along the way of his
overexertion.
Contradicting one’s nature
makes one perish. It makes him
uncomfortable and unhappy. Doing things
that sap one of his strength and motivation makes one perish, for it drains him
of his enthusiasm and efficiency. This
effect involves both the external and internal aspects of the individual. It the external sense, it makes him
unhealthy. In the internal sense, it
gives him stress and depression. With
these ill circumstances, it cannot be denied that one indeed can perish. Because of the overexertion that does not go
with one’s natural way of doing things, one damages himself. In damaging himself, one “perishes”, in the
sense that he loses his efficiency in doing things. One “perishes”, for when he goes against the
Tao, he injures himself.
Humility is like a spring of flowing water which rests on
self-respect, selflessness and a sense of being. It never drains one of whatever he is and he
has. Instead, it leads him to find inner
peace and happiness in being concern for others and in being natural in all
things. Being humble tames one’s
desires. Living life humbly makes one see the things
that he must keep and also the things that he must throw away. This, however, does not imply quiet
resignation. Rather, it makes the
individual more proactive and productive.
It makes the individual proactive for he sees better opportunities in
both pleasant and unpleasant things or realities in life. Productive, because out of realizing better
opportunities in either pleasant and unpleasant things or realities, he
enriches himself and becomes best out of what he is.
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