Tao Te Ching 36

In this particular day I shall interpret a verse from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, namely verse 36.  In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:

“36. In order to contact,

                It is necessary first to expand.

In order to weaken,

                It is necessary first to strengthen.

In order to destroy,

                It is necessary first to promote.

In order to grasp,

                It is necessary first to give.

This is called subtle light.

The weak and the tender overcome the hard and the strong.

Fish should not be taken away from water.

And sharp weapons of the state should not be displayed

                to the people.” ¹

Firstly, let us discuss the theme of the verse.  The theme of the verse revolves around doing first the positive things in order that one can balance things when negative realities happen.   In governance, a ruler should be more positive in leading a state.  By doing it, he lets his people do what they can and motivates them more to do what is good.  Here, it means that what is considered good or positive is what is really natural.

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

“In order to contact,

                It is necessary first to expand.

In order to weaken,

                It is necessary first to strengthen.

In order to destroy,

                It is necessary first to promote.

In order to grasp,

                It is necessary first to give.

This is called subtle light.”

These lines express advocating positive values in governance.  Positive values reflect Nature.  They make things flow naturally.  Though the world is made up of opposites, basically, everything is good.  The so-called subtle light means good characterizes what is natural.   In the presence of the opposites, like good and evil, one has to reflect and stand up for what is good.  The good balances the movement of the realities in the world.   It is not easy to find and stand for the good.  But it is what one has to search for and live.    

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

“The weak and the tender overcome the hard and the strong.

Fish should not be taken away from water.

And sharp weapons of the state should not be displayed

                to the people.”

In these lines, what is given emphasis is that when one has learned to live the positive or the good present in all things, he cannot be overtaken by the strong blow of opposites.  This is because he does only what is necessary and lives a simple, humble and contented life.   In this way, he learns the course of Nature and remains faithful to what he is.  In the case of the ruler, he should not display power and force in his actions, for it can only give him the opposite of what he wishes to accomplish.  In being lowly and simple, the Sage Emperor preserves the state and nurtures its integrity.

Nature does not teach one to do great things.  Rather, it teaches one to understand that everything in the world is good and that man should live that goodness.  What is natural is what is good.  Man should find the good in all things in order to understand Nature.

Source:

    1.       Wing Tsit Chan, “The Natural Way of Lao Tzu”, (United States: Princeton University Press, 1963), In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, 157.