Tao Te Ching 16

In this particular day I shall interpret a verse from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, namely verse 16.  In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:

“16.  Attain complete vacuity,

Maintain steadfast quietude.

All things comes into being,

And I see thereby their return.

All things flourish,

But each one returns to its root.

This return to its root means tranquility.

It is called returning to its destiny.

To return to destiny is called the eternal (Tao).

To know the eternal is called enlightenment.

Not to know the eternal is to act blindly to result in disaster.

He who knows the eternal is all-embracing.

Being all embracing, he is impartial.

Being impartial, he is kingly (universal).

Being kingly, he is one with Nature,

Being one with Nature, he is in accord with Tao.

Being in accord with Tao, he is everlasting,

And is free from danger throughout his lifetime.” ¹

Firstly, let us discuss the theme of the verse.  The theme of the verse revolves around the realizing the Tao as a way of Life, a life with Nature.  It resides in tranquility or quietude. It seeks for the Tao as an enlightenment which, when found by one, will lead him to virtues.  The practice of virtues will make one a sage.

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

 “Attain complete vacuity,

Maintain steadfast quietude.

All things comes into being,

And I see thereby their return.

All things flourish,

But each one returns to its root.

This return to its root means tranquility.

It is called returning to its destiny.

To return to destiny is called the eternal (Tao).

To know the eternal is called enlightenment.”

The lines above express the notion of the sage’s characteristics of non-action and non-interfering.  The sage, being tranquil and still, prevents any injury to happen both to his self and to the people he relates with.  In the case of a ruler, he does not impose unnecessary laws or mandates that will create burdens in the lives of the citizens.  Impositions are commonly done my most rulers to contain the people and some even use such laws to feel empowered and become tyrants.  But the sage does the opposite.  He does not go beyond his natural capacity.  He does not show off power in order to intimidate people. He simply does his job or function without pride and conceit.  In this way, he becomes more focused on his job or function. He practices tranquility, a virtue that rests on simplicity and contentment.  With tranquility or peace, one can function more effectively without being enslaved by pressures or deadlines.  Tranquility gives one a sense of balance and clarity of purpose.  

Now let us continue with the remaining lines in the verse.

“Not to know the eternal is to act blindly to result in disaster.

He who knows the eternal is all-embracing.

Being all embracing, he is impartial.

Being impartial, he is kingly (universal).

Being kingly, he is one with Nature,

Being one with Nature, he is in accord with Tao.

Being in accord with Tao, he is everlasting,

And is free from danger throughout his lifetime.”

In always referring to Nature, nobody is deprived of anything.  Nature has all that are necessary.  Thus, Nature has enough for men. Applying this to life, one should live in simplicity and contentment.  When one fashions himself to Nature, he unlearns and pursues only what is necessary.  Nothing is too much or too little.  Everything is just enough and sufficient.   In getting back to one’s natural self, one becomes wiser in everything that he does, for he enriches his capacity and finds enlightenment in what he does.  This is the effect of the sage’s practice of the Tao in his life.  This principle greatly applies to ruling a state free from any desire or greed.

Another point to consider is that in living in accordance with Nature, the sage frees himself from danger throughout his lifetime.  This is because he is impartial, and does not favor one over the other. He is not biased to anyone.  He treats everyone equally, just like how Nature rains on both the rich and the poor.  Because of such impartiality, people would not breed hate towards him.   Furthermore, it increases their trust towards him.   Another notion is that the sage also prevents himself from going beyond what he can.  This is because in living with the Tao as a guide, the sage gets to know when to stop.  In this sense he prevents himself from stirring suspicion, envy, or any other negative thoughts from other people.  In his tranquility, he never harms himself from fatigue and stress. These are the reasons why the sage liberates himself from any danger, both to himself and to others.

Lao Tzu proposes for the employment of the sage in a state for he leads the state not by the laws of men, but by the laws of Nature.  In this way he prevents the downfall of a state caused by the rulers’ greed for wealth and power.  In governing with the laws of Nature, the sage promotes the value of simplicity and contentment.  He lets the people do what they can, without giving restrictions that would make the people suffer from overdoing and stress.  In governing the state with the laws of Nature, the state flourishes.  It is away from all forms of dangers.

Lao Tzu reminds us to learn tranquility.  It gives a sense of balance, direction and order in life.  With a lot of things that happen every day, a tranquil person is not disturbed by either big or small realities.  He does what he can and finds peace in what he can do.  He becomes wise.  In this way, he is away from all that are dangerous and harmful.

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.