Tao Te Ching 15

In this particular day I shall interpret a verse from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, namely verse 15.  In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:

“15. Of old those who were the best rulers were

                Subtly mysterious and profoundly penetrating;

                Too deep to comprehend.

And because they cannot be comprehended,

                I can only describe them arbitrarily:

                Cautious, like crossing a frozen stream in the winter;

                Being at a loss, like one fearing danger on all sides,

                Reserved, like one visiting,

                Supple and pliant, like ice about to melt,

                Genuine, like a piece of uncarved wood,

                Open and broad, like a valley,

                Merged and undifferentiated, like muddy water.

Who can make muddy water gradually clear through

                tranquility?

Who can make the still gradually come to life through

                activity?

He who embraces this Tao does not want to fill himself

                to overflowing.

It is precisely because there is no overflowing that he

                is beyond wearing out and renewal.” ¹

Firstly, let us discuss the theme of the verse.  The theme of the verse revolves around the concept of the Taoist sage as the Sage Emperor.   The difference between a ruler who is a sage and a ruler who is not a sage lies in the way they govern people.  The Sage Emperor governs with the laws of Nature, while the ruler who is not a sage governs with the laws made by man.  The advantage of the Sage Emperor lies on his characteristic of not interfering too much in the affairs of state.  This implies that he does not rule the state with an iron fist or with dictatorship, but rather he rules with simplicity, humility and content.  Such values are observed in such a ruler, when he does not overdo implementations to keep him in the position.  This then prevents the people from having a mentality of rebellion.  This is because they are not forced to satisfy many things.  Moreover, the people become more inclined in being content and living simply because they are not deprived of anything. The Sage Emperor has no selfish desires to satisfy.  This is because his life lightly flows along with Nature.

Not let us go over the first twelve lines in the verse.

“Of old those who were the best rulers were

                Subtly mysterious and profoundly penetrating;

                Too deep to comprehend.

And because they cannot be comprehended,

                I can only describe them arbitrarily:

                Cautious, like crossing a frozen stream in the winter;

                Being at a loss, like one fearing danger on all sides,

                Reserved, like one visiting,

                Supple and pliant, like ice about to melt,

                Genuine, like a piece of uncarved wood,

                Open and broad, like a valley,

                Merged and undifferentiated, like muddy water.”

The lines stated above expressed the qualities of a Sage Emperor.   The Sage Emperor, unlike the typical ruler, is more cautious, reserved, genuine, open-minded and impartial.  The cautiousness of the Sage Emperor is not similar to the anxiety of the typical ruler.  This cautiousness is best described as being careful and responsible in action, so that one may not overdo in the process and hurt anyone.  In terms of governance, such cautiousness is observed when a ruler does not overdo implementing rules.  In this sense he saves himself from fatigue and stress, and can still do his responsibilities properly.

 A Sage Emperor is reserved, for unlike the typical ruler, he does not flaunt his achievements to anyone.  He knows himself and he does not go beyond himself. He delights in his own achievements and is content being able to be effective and efficient in the shadows. Such action depicts humility which is a necessary value to become genuine.  The Sage Emperor is genuine, and unlike any typical ruler, he does what he can and does not bother if he ever makes a mistake.  He does not have any ego to satisfy, which makes him less prone in making up lies about things.  The Sage Emperor also has an open mind.  He sees the bigger picture and acts without biases.  Like a valley, he looks at things first, reflects on them, and realizes their depth and significance in life.

Now let us proceed to the remaining lines in the verse.

“Who can make muddy water gradually clear through

                tranquility?

Who can make the still gradually come to life through

                activity?

He who embraces this Tao does not want to fill himself

                to overflowing.

It is precisely because there is no overflowing that he

                is beyond wearing out and renewal.”

These last lines emphasize the character of the Sage Emperor as somebody who does not do things when confused.   He reflects first and does only what he can.  He only focuses on essential things for the state.  Also, the Sage Emperor considers his position as a means to realize virtue.  With this attitude, he leads the people and the state into prosperity, without even exerting too much effort.

Commonly, the rulers of our time go out of their way and “overflow” with desires for wealth and power.  They often become miserable and the state they rule become chaotic.  This teaching of Lao Tzu is a simple yet a classic reminder especially to rulers that genuine and quality leadership is not measured by one’s power but by one’s practice of virtue.

Source:

   1.       Wing Tsit Chan, “The Natural Way of Lao Tzu”, (United States: Princeton University Press, 1963), In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, 147.