Tao Te Ching 56

In this particular day I shall interpret a verse from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, namely verse 56.  In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:

“56.  He who knows does not speak.

He who speaks does not know.

Close the mouth.

Shut the doors (of cunning and desires).

Blunt the sharpness.

Untie the tangles.

Soften the light.

Become one with the dusty world.

This is called profound identification.

Therefore it is impossible either to be intimate and close to

      him or to be distant and indifferent to him.

It is impossible either to benefit him, or to harm him,

It is impossible either to honor him or to disgrace him.

For this reason, he is honored by the world.” ¹

Firstly, let us discuss the theme of the verse.  The theme of the verse revolves around knowing the way as unlearning.   It is by getting rid of knowledge that he can be able to reunite with his nature.  This does not imply forgetting education or denying oneself of information.  Rather, Lao Tzu advises that one should only have little or enough knowledge for oneself.  This is because it is in having little knowledge that one lessens desiring for objects and becomes content with what he has.  In having little knowledge, one prevents himself from injury and lives a prosperous, happy life.

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

“He who knows does not speak.

He who speaks does not know.

Close the mouth.

Shut the doors (of cunning and desires).

Blunt the sharpness.

Untie the tangles.

Soften the light.

Become one with the dusty world.

This is called profound identification.”

The notion of “unlearning” can be observed by the very notion of not speaking too much.  It is a fact that speaking is one of the markers in which one can gauge the “knowledge” of a person.  This is because one cannot say anything unless he has that information inside of his brain.  This is the reason why it is a common reaction for people to say that a “good speaker” is an intelligent person.   However, if one does not speak too much, the typical notion would be that he “does not know anything”.  But in Lao Tzu’s perspective, this is not the case.  For Lao Tzu, a person who “does not speak” only implies that he is far wiser than the one who “speaks too much”.  This is because when one speaks too much, he has the tendency to talk about a lot of things.  This leads to misunderstanding and could greatly cause conflict.  Another scenario would be that the individual who is “speaking too much” may cause the others around him not to pay attention to what he says.  Saying too much makes others miss the point of what one says, thus making them have the impression of annoyance instead of information. This is the common mistake among “intellectual” people who just speak and speak without being cautious with speaking only the necessary things.  It is only in speaking less that one can be understood and be appreciated.  This is what the phrase “become one with the dusty world” wishes to imply.  It is in humbling oneself by speaking less that he can accomplish more and prevent causing harm to himself and to anyone around him.

Moreover, the lines also mean that a person of deep knowledge is transcendent and quiet rather than showy and noisy.  When one becomes transcendent, he learns the value of inner calmness and sense of contentment.  He does not brag about what he knows.  Instead, he makes use of what he knows to improve his life and develop values.

Now we will move on to the last lines in the verse.

“Therefore it is impossible either to be intimate and close to

      him or to be distant and indifferent to him.

It is impossible either to benefit him, or to harm him,

It is impossible either to honor him or to disgrace him.

For this reason, he is honored by the world.”

The last four lines imply that a person who has transcended knowledge acquired wisdom. He is a friend to everyone. He is the treasure of the world.   To unlearn is to counter one’s ego. This means that one becomes humble and utilizes knowledge to further one’s understanding of himself and the path towards a simple and happy life.   This is because having no ego implies having no insecurity.  Insecurities create delusion which can lead one to chaos.  This can lead him to desperation.  Taking this away, one does not only spare himself from imminent danger but also he can realize that what he has is enough for him. 

In this realization, an individual can learn humility.  With this humility, people around him can work with him accordingly.  He is never hated for he is lovable.  One cannot leech out anything from him for he does not have excess resources that can cause envy from others.  He gains the respect of everyone.   It is in having enough of everything that he learns to live within his means and still find life complete.    He knows what is worthy of keeping and what is not.

“Unlearning” is important in knowing the Tao.  This is because “unlearning” makes one see the natural state of his self.  It is the path of wisdom because it is a state by which one knows and practices only the right things.  The excess of anything only leads one to selfishness and greed.  These two are the pillars of downfall.  A person with great knowledge speaks only when necessary.  And when he speaks, he never brags. He lives his life by transcending what he knows into a value system that is anchored in the wisdom of humility and inner peace. By these, he becomes a model to others.  He becomes the wealth of the world.  It is in transcending knowledge, transforming one’s life through it and keeping humility within that one finds the wisdom of a 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,166.