Tao Te Ching 81

In this particular day I shall interpret a verse from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, namely verse 81.  In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:

“81. True words are beautiful;

Beautiful words are not true.

A good man does not argue;

He who argues is not a good man.

A wise man has no extensive knowledge;

He who has extensive knowledge is not a wise man.

The sage does not accumulate for himself.

The more he uses for others, the more he has himself.

The more he gives to others, the more he possesses of

                his own.

The Way of Heaven is to benefit others and not to injure.

The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete.” 1

Firstly, let us discuss the theme of the verse. The theme of the verse revolves around the concept of not having too much knowledge and too much desire.  Lao Tzu gave the notion that when one is too knowledgeable, he is driven into desire.  One is driven into desire in knowing too much for he develops an inclination to possess.  This inclination then brings one to overwork and do what is unnecessary, which in turn can bring one to harm.

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

“True words are beautiful;

Beautiful words are not true.

A good man does not argue;

He who argues is not a good man.

A wise man has no extensive knowledge;

He who has extensive knowledge is not a wise man.”

Observing these lines, the notion of not having too much knowledge is expressed in terms of speaking.  It is a common notion that the one who has eloquence has intellect and is therefore wise.  This is the reason why politicians and other good speakers are praised by many because of their talent in speaking.  Lao Tzu, however, does not quite agree with this.  This is because for him the true wise is the one who does not need many words to express his intention.  The true wise does not even need to beautify his speech in trying to convince people.  The true wise does not need to exert any effort in speaking.  This is because in his simple words, he can already convince and persuade without the risk of arguing about it.  His simple and proper conduct of life is enough.

The true wise man, however, just speaks what is he means.  He does not overdo himself by pretty words.  Instead, he keeps it straightforward and simple, making him understandable and trustworthy.  It is in his simplicity in words which makes him transparent to people.  In this way, the wise man ceases to have desire.  In being simple and true in words, the wise man gets rid of selfish desires. 

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

“The sage does not accumulate for himself.

The more he uses for others, the more he has himself.

The more he gives to others, the more he possesses of

                his own.

The Way of Heaven is to benefit others and not to injure.

The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete.”

These lines imply selflessness.  Accumulating both material things and more knowledge without charity is useless.  This will ruin one’s life.  When one thinks about himself, he begins to think about objects that can make him comfortable.  In thinking about these things, he begins to collect information as to how he would go about acquiring them.  This can bring the individual into harm, for it can injure him both in the external and in the internal sense.  He is injured externally, from fatigue, and internally from insatiable thirst of greed. 

However, if he gradually lessens thinking about himself, then he can temper his desires.  An example of this is not demanding too much from one’s parents.  Instead of thinking about the satisfaction that one can get from getting a new gadget, he must think about what he can do to lessen the financial burden of his parents.  He can think about the blood and sweat his parents go through just to make him finish his studies.  In this way he can lessen his selfishness, his desires and craving of that gadget, and be more selfless and responsible. 

Being selfless makes one possess more than what he can acquire, for he nurtures what he has.  He preserves his physical and mental health, which can make him more efficient as time goes by.  By being healthy and efficient, one can live a happy life, and that is more than the satisfaction a mere gadget can give to one.

Lao Tzu teaches the lesson that having too much knowledge and too much of things blind one from what is really essential in life.  Being selfish lead one to extremes which can cause greater damage than what he can imagine.  Therefore, it is wise to have few but necessary knowledge and things.  Out of these, one can nurture and preserve what he is.  Then he exercises charity to all he meets in life.   It is in this way he earns more, and live more happily without losing anything each time he gives to others.

Source:

    1.       Wing Tsit Chan, “The Natural Way of Lao Tzu”, (United States: Princeton University Press, 1963), In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, 175.