In this particular day I shall
interpret a verse from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, namely verse 59. In A
Source Book In Chinese Philosophy,
Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:
“59. To rule people and to serve Heaven there is nothing better
than to be
frugal.
Only by being frugal that one can recover quickly.
To recover quickly means to accumulate virtue heavily.
By the heavy accumulation of virtue one can overcome
anything.
If one can overcome anything, then he will acquire a
capacity the
limit of which is beyond anyone’s knowledge.
When his capacity is beyond anyone’s knowledge, he is fit
to rule a state.
He who possesses the Mother (Tao) of the state will last long.
This means that the roots are deep and the stalks are firm,
which is the way
of long life and everlasting existence.” 1
Firstly, let us discuss the theme of the verse. The theme of the verse revolves around the
concept of acquiring virtue which is equivalent to living the Tao. One who has virtue is worthy to govern a
state. A state which is governed by a
ruler of virtue governs with non-interference and uses the resources of the
state in necessary things. Applying
this in governance, it is letting the people do what they can, without
attempting to control them or contain them in any restrictive imposition. In this way, they can exhaust their natural
skills and be content in doing so. This
can further lead them to simple and humble living that in turn can help the
state grow.
Let us go over the first six lines in the verse.
“To rule people and to serve Heaven there is nothing better
than to be
frugal.
Only by being frugal that one can recover quickly.
To recover quickly means to accumulate virtue heavily.
By the heavy accumulation of virtue one can overcome
anything.”
These lines express the notion of the importance of frugality. Frugality is using resources properly in
right priorities and urgent necessities.
It is being economical or being not wasteful in utilizing
resources. A ruler who has this value rules
a state without wastage and abuses. Indeed,
this is true. To be economical is to focus and implement only what is
necessary. For not being wasteful implies only doing what
is needed in a situation.
Non-interference has the same principle.
When rulers do not interfere that much, they are only doing what is
necessary for the people. They do not
let them satisfy so many demands from the state and instead aid them into
preserving their natural capacities to further contribute to the growth of the
state. Having too many impositions are wasteful, for it defeats the purpose of
the state. Too many impositions make the
ruler’s life miserable, for he struggles to keep his self-interest safe. Furthermore, it causes him fatigue, for such
impositions require force. As for the
people, it does not make them better citizens because of the negative thoughts they
develop towards the ruler. By doing
only what is necessary, no effort is wasted, both in the part of the ruler and
of the people. And it is in this sense that governance
promotes order and harmony between the ruler and the people.
Let us continue to the last lines in the verse.
“If one can overcome anything, then he will acquire a
capacity the
limit of which is beyond anyone’s knowledge.
When his capacity is beyond anyone’s knowledge, he is fit
to rule a state.
He who possesses the Mother (Tao) of the state will last long.
This means that the roots are deep and the stalks are firm,
which is the way
of long life and everlasting existence.”
These last lines imply that the best one to rule the state is one who
has developed and practiced virtues. He will rule the state in progress. Whether
in good or bad times, he remains frugal and overcomes quickly from any losses. This is so because he just focused on what is
necessary. One does not lose a lot of
things in frugality. Only with the
unnecessary things that one loses much because these lead one to wastage.
This is the capacity of a sage which is beyond anyone’s
knowledge. It is beyond knowledge,
because it goes with the laws of Nature.
Being with Nature makes one impartial to all, and makes one be able to
do his duties effectively. This makes
one see the proper actions towards things, thus contributes not only to the
longevity of the state, but also to the formation of virtues. No matter how flourishing a state may be, the
ruler must always have the initiative to go back to the root of everything,
that is, Nature. By being with Nature, a
ruler can learn how to hold himself back and only do what is needed of the
situation.
Lao Tzu gives more emphasis on the practice of governance with frugality and the goal to
attain what is natural through virtue.
Rulers should aim to make the state a place for people and himself to
realize what is natural. In this way,
the state will flourish longer.
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