Tao Te Ching 68

In this particular day I shall interpret a verse from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, namely verse 68.  In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:

“68. A skillful leader of troops is not oppressive with his military

                strength.

A skillful fighter does not become angry.

A skillful conqueror does not compete with people.

One who is skillful in using men puts himself below them.

This is called the virtue of not-competing.

This is called the strength to use men.

This is called matching Heaven, the highest principle of

old.” ¹

Firstly, let us discuss the theme of the verse.  The theme of the verse revolves around the concept of “humility”.  Lao Tzu gives emphasis to humility, because it is in humbling oneself that one can prevent himself from being injured.   This is because one has the idea of to what extent does he have to do a particular thing.  It is doing what is enough of the situation, and not going overboard.  This humility is expressed in not getting ahead of oneself in doing things. 

Let us observe this as we go over the verse.

The notion of “humility” is observed in the actions of not overdoing.  This notion of not overdoing is observed in the individual not getting ahead of his self or exerting unnecessary effort.   This is shown in the actions of not being oppressive with military strength, not becoming angry, and in not competing with people.  When one becomes oppressive, angry, and competitive, he overdoes himself.  This is because he forces his body into doing something which requires more than his natural pace.  In being oppressive, one needs to display an air of intimidation, which requires effort in the individual’s actions.  In being angry, one exerts too much effort in giving a violent response to whatever he is infuriated with.  Anger uses up too much of one’s energy, which explains the reason why after a person vents out his anger, he feels exhausted or tired.  And competing makes one exert undue effort in eliminating the “threats” to his pride.  When one competes, he needs to exert undue effort to surpass his opponents, which for Lao Tzu, can bring one into injury.

The point in this verse is that, being the best or being the skillful does not imply that one must be the perfect person.  Being skillful does not imply that one needs to show intimidation or prowess.  To be skillful and best at a certain thing, one only needs to do it the most natural way as he can.  He becomes skillful in doing this for in his comfortable way of doing it.   He gradually perfects this doing.  He becomes the best for he becomes more efficient.  And with this efficiency, he becomes content and happy, for he perfected his natural capabilities.   In the perfection of one’s natural capabilities, he begins to develop contentment, and thus minimize his desiring for more.  In this way, the individual becomes tempered and balanced in both the good and the bad inside of him.  This enlightenment can then lead an individual into initiating order in his life and eventually influence everything around him.  It is in this sense that an individual who had incorporated humility in his life can be able to establish order and unity.  He does such without imposing anything or demanding much of himself and of others. 

Lao Tzu gives the notion of humility as a signal for individuals to gauge themselves, whether they are going too far or too much.    Humility is an important characteristic that can aid one to be closer to his nature.  It is in being humble even if one is great in position, wealth, intellect, talent, skill that he achieves more.   To be great is to remain what you are and to help others remain true to themselves.

Source:

  1.       Wing Tsit Chan, “The Natural Way of Lao Tzu”, (United States: Princeton University Press, 1963), In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy,171.