Tao Te Ching 69

In this particular day I shall interpret a verse from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, namely verse 69.  In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:

“69.  The strategists say:

“I dare not take the offensive but I take the defensive;

 I dare not advance an inch but I retreat a foot.

This means:

To march without formation,

To stretch one’s arm without showing it,

To confront enemies without seeming to meet them,

To hold weapons without seeming to have them.

There is no greater disaster than to make light of the enemy.

Making light of the enemy will destroy my treasures.

Therefore when armies are mobilized and issues joined,

The man who is sorry over the fact will win.”  ¹

Firstly, let us discuss the theme of the verse.  The theme of the verse revolves around following the Way as “non-action”.   “Non-action”, as Lao Tzu explains it, means not doing what is unnecessary at a certain situation.  Not doing anything unnecessary makes one accomplish his duties, for he does not waste his strength on something not needed. “Non-action” leads to sageliness, for it makes one develop the value of simplicity, humility, meekness and content.  These characteristics are essential in being a sage and in living a happy life.

Let us observe this as we go over the verse.   Let us go over the first eight lines of the verse.

“The strategists say:

‘I dare not take the offensive but I take the defensive;

 I dare not advance an inch but I retreat a foot.

This means:

To march without formation,

To stretch one’s arm without showing it,

To confront enemies without seeming to meet them,

To hold weapons without seeming to have them.

The notion of “non-action” in these lines is seen in the implication of not making an all-out attack.  In war, the usual thought would be mobilizing all troops and attack at once.  This strategy cannot bring any advantage to the one attacking.  By letting one’s troops attack all at once is to exhaust one’s military power in one go.  It is but a reckless move.  In is in this sense that “overdoing” can be observed.  It is overdoing in a sense that it does the unnecessary.  In this case, the unnecessary doing is the usage of too much troops for an initial attack.  This is tantamount to defeat in battle.  Numbers do not guarantee victory, rather, it adds up to the possible casualties.  This is not applicable in warfare alone, but also in one’s daily life.  An example would be having a big allowance for the week.  Spending it in one go does not guarantee the satisfaction being imagined by an individual.  Instead, it makes him miserable by the end of the day, wallowing in the regret of squandering the money in useless things. 

Doing too much of anything gives the opposite of what one wants or tries to accomplish.  Therefore, in doing in what is necessary at the moment, one can avoid the possibility of exhausting everything in the end.  In doing what is necessary, one can conserve his strength and prevent further injury.  Like in the field of warfare, one can have the possibility of winning if he has spare soldiers to compensate for a surprise attack.  Not doing what is unnecessary also implies that one’s focus is on the job at hand.  By focusing his attention on this particular duty, he spends his time and strength wisely and efficiently.  He accomplishes the duty with finesse.

Now let us proceed to the remaining lines. 

“There is no greater disaster than to make light of the enemy.

Making light of the enemy will destroy my treasures.’

Therefore when armies are mobilized and issues joined,

The man who is sorry over the fact will win.” 

These lines show the notion of “non-action” in terms of not being prideful.  Being prideful blinds an individual of the natural pace in things.  Pride makes an individual overwork, because of his advancement that has reached its limit.  This means that the individual became blinded by his superficial prowess that he forces himself into doing things that are out of his natural capabilities.   By overworking to somewhat satisfy his pride, the individual injures himself.   He injures himself for his body and mind is pushed too much, which cannot keep up with this pride anymore.  This is also observable in warfare.  It can be seen that when generals became too confident of their troops, they overlook the smallest details.  And it is with this carelessness which can bring even a million of elite soldiers to death.  This is what the phrase “make light of the enemy” implies.  

Not having any shred of pride, therefore, makes one triumphant in the battles of his life.  This is because he knows the necessary things to do, and gets to utilize his talents without injuring himself.  Without any superficial ego to feed, one can live a happy, contented life.  Without any pride, one can prevent himself from harm and become a better person.

Following the Way or the Tao can be done in “non-action”.  It means acting not against anything. In doing things that are necessary, one can be more productive.  One becomes productive in the sense that his focus and his strength are exhausted wisely.  It is exhausted wisely for he does not do anything unnecessary.  In fashioning one’s life akin to Nature, one develops the value of humility, contentment and meekness.  It is in these values that one is able to live a harm-free and happy life.  This is because there is no selfish goal or ego to satisfy.   When there is no pride in one’s character, he is in peace.  He does not overwork for he is content and happy with what he has.  It appreciating what one has, he makes the best out of himself.  He showcases his talents and capabilities in the right manner and with the right measure.  It is in this way that he transforms his life into the way of the sage.

Source:

  1.       Wing Tsit Chan, “The Natural Way of Lao Tzu”, (United States: Princeton University Press, 1963), In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, 172.