Tao Te Ching 9

In this particular day I shall interpret a verse from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, namely verse 9.  In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:

“9.  To hold and fill to overflowing

                Is not as good as to stop in time.

Sharpen a sword to its very sharpest,

                And the (edge) will not last that long.

When gold and jade fill your hall,

                You will not be able to keep them.

To be proud with honor and wealth

                Is to cause one’s own downfall.

Withdraw as soon as your work is done.

Such is Heaven’s Way.”  ¹

Firstly, let us discuss the theme of the verse.   The theme of the verse revolves around following the Tao as “non-action”.   The concept of “non-action” that is given by Lao Tzu means that one must not do what is not needed or what is not necessary of the situation.  It is in this “natural” way of doing things that can an individual be more productive and effective.   “Non-action” can be done by following the Tao.  In following the Tao, one is fashioning his life towards the natural course of things.  This means that he is trying to live a life that is not “unnatural”, to the point that it causes him harm.  It fashioning his life this way, he learns how to control himself.   He begins to learn to do what is necessary of a situation, and not do too much that it can result to harm.  It is in this way that he becomes a better person and a true sage. 

  Let us go over the first eight lines in the verse.

“To hold and fill to overflowing

                Is not as good as to stop in time.

Sharpen a sword to its very sharpest,

                And the (edge) will not last that long.

When gold and jade fill your hall,

                You will not be able to keep them.

To be proud with honor and wealth

                Is to cause one’s own downfall.”

The lines imply the harm that results from anything that is extreme or too much. Too much of something makes one greedy and conceited.  Anything one pours into a glass should be enough for the size of the glass. Too much of acquiring wealth makes one poor inside.  His values are placed at the expense of uprightness.  Too much consumption of sodas can lead to diseases in the kidney.  Too much eating can lead to obesity.  Too much work can lead to stress and depression.  Doing too much or having too much cannot give any addition to the goodness in the objective of the action or activity.  It weakens one’s inner sense of wholeness.   One must always think about what is necessary in the situation.  In this way, he can utilize more of what he has.  He can harness his skills and sharpen his insights.  It is in this notion that one follows the Tao as “non-action”.   It is wise to do what is enough and necessary.  It keeps one more focused and well-founded.  He deepens his insights and prunes his stubbornness.  It is in this way that he becomes more productive and happier.  Doing the otherwise makes one fail.  Too much of pride is the cause of one’s downfall.

Now let us go over the last two lines in the verse. 

“Withdraw as soon as your work is done.

Such is Heaven’s Way.”

These last two lines wishes to imply that as soon as the individual had finished doing what is needed of the situation or event, he must not go out of his way in doing more.  To withdraw means to find joy in what one has accomplished and not bother anymore with what one has not done.  Overdoing implies doing something irrelevant.   It is in this careless way that one experiences difficulties in his life, or worse, he becomes miserable for the rest of his life.  One must always keep in mind that excellence never requires too much work.  True excellence and true perfection of character does not require one to be extremely pious or extremely benevolent.   That does not do any good for oneself or to anyone at all.  This is why it is best to do what is only necessary.   It spares one from injury and misery.  “Withdraw as soon as your work is done.  Such is Heaven’s Way.”  This means contentment.  Contentment is the Heaven’s way.  It is the requirement to become truly happy.  “Withdraw” implies humility and a sense of “oughtness”.  The Heaven’s way is always something about essential values for better living.

Things are made to be done and not overdone.   Lao Tzu wishes to point out that one should free himself from the guises of irrelevant and unnecessary things.   They blind him to the real meaning of what is ought to be.   They cause one’s  downfall.   One should aim for what is just enough.  It is in this that the best comes.  

Source:

   1.       Wing Tsit Chan, “The Natural Way of Lao Tzu”, (United States: Princeton University Press, 1963), In In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, 143.