Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Yuhui Liang
Read between
February 23 - April 19, 2024
We can obtain the answer by figuring out what Lao Tzu said in Chapter 42: The Tao produces the One. The One produces the Two. The Two produce the Three. And the Three produce all things. All things carry yin and embrace yang, they achieve harmony with the unification of these forces.
Lao Tzu described how the guidance of the Tao works in the first chapter and Chapter 21: The Tao is teachable, yet understanding my words is not the same as following the Tao. The guidance is describable, yet knowing the description is not the same as following the guidance.
In living, values humility and sustaining. In thinking, values depth and open. In relationship, values benevolence. In speaking, values trust. In governing, values autonomy. In working, values effortless. In acting, values timing. Because of living in perfect harmony with others, there is no resentment.
Thus, we create solid things for benefit, and create empty space for usefulness.
Since it is hard to be recognized, what I can do is to describe their appearance. Cautious, like crossing an iced over stream. Alert, like facing risk from all sides. Courteous, like being a gentle guest. Relax, like ice about to melt. Simple, like a piece of plain wood. Open, like a deep valley. Opaque, like a muddy pool. Who can wait quietly to let the mud settle and the water become clear? Who can remain peaceful to allow the right action to rise by itself? The Tao’s followers do not overextend themselves. Not overextending themselves, they can preserve vitality and stay young at soul.
Returning to the source is finding the perfect peace. Finding the perfect peace is realizing one's true nature. Realizing one's true nature is following the guidance. Knowing to follow the guidance is enlightenment. Not knowing to follow the guidance, one recklessly invites disaster. By knowing to follow the guidance, you will be all-embracing.
The sage leads without coercion, and guides without dictating. When success is achieved, the people say, "We did it ourselves."
Therefore, a good person is the teacher of a bad person. And a bad person is a potential good person. One who neither respects the teacher nor loves the student, is greatly confused, regardless how smart he is. This is an essential secret for obtaining the Tao.
Are you trying to coerce and oppress the people? I do not think you will be a successful ruler. The autonomy of the people is sacred. One should not coerce them, should not oppress them. If you coerce them, you will ruin your kingdom. If you oppress them, you will lose their support. All beings have their own nature. Some are active, and some are relaxed. Some like hot, and some like cold. Some are strong, and some are soft. Some want to be safe, some want to take risk. Thus, the sage lets and assists them be themselves, and avoids extremes, excesses and arrogance.
Knowing others is intelligence; knowing the self is enlightenment. Being master of others is strong; being self-mastery is truly mighty. One who is content is really wealthy. One who persists in her pursuit has willpower. One who does not lose her source is long-lasting. One who dies but does not perish has true longevity.
The highest virtue never show off their virtue, therefore, they have true virtue. The lowest virtue never forget to show off their virtue, therefore they have no true virtue. The highest virtue follow the Tao with no ulterior motive. The lowest virtue imitate the high virtue to be impressive.
Therefore, the supreme reputation does not need to be recognized. Do not seek to be shiny like fine jade, just be as unshowy as ordinary rocks.
Returning is the moving principle of the Tao. Humbleness is the way the Tao works. All things are born of Being and Non-Being.
The Tao produces the One. The One produces the Two. The Two produce the Three. And the Three produce all things. All things carry yin and embrace yang, they achieve harmony by unifying these forces.
Letting and assisting things take their natural course is the way to win the world, while coercion is not the way at all.
Being content avoids dishonor, knowing when to stop avoids danger; thus, you can be happy and peace forever:
