按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
The myriad things of the world are born of being
Being is born of non…being
That which reverses course； reflects back； or returns to its point of origin characterizes the cyclical motions of the Tao。 Because the Tao process underlies everything in existence； we observe its cycles reflected everywhere in the universe。
That which exhibits weakness； a soft touch； or a yielding nature characterizes the function and utilization of the Tao。 This is because the Tao drives life forward endlessly； and the living is always pliant and flexible while death is invariably stiff and unyielding。
The above applies to the mind as well。 An awareness that is in tune with the Tao is open to possibilities and adaptable to new ways of thinking。 In contrast； a mind that stubbornly clings to preconceptions and automatically rejects anything different is； in a real sense； already dead。
41
Higher people hear of the Tao
They diligently practice it
Average people hear of the Tao
They sometimes keep it and sometimes lose it
Lower people hear of the Tao
They laugh loudly at it
If they do not laugh； it would not be the Tao
Therefore a proverb has the following：
The clear Tao appears unclear
The advancing Tao appears to retreat
The smooth Tao appears uneven
High virtue appears like a valley
Great integrity appears like disgrace
Encompassing virtue appears insufficient
Building virtue appears inactive
True substance appears inconstant
The great square has no corners
The great vessel is late in completion
The great music is imperceptible in sound
The great image has no form
The Tao is hidden and nameless
Yet it is only the Tao
That excels in giving and completing everything
But 〃not laughing〃 in itself is not sufficient to be called the Tao；
and therefore it is said：
The sparkling Tao seems dark
Advancing in the Tao seems like regression。
Settling into the Tao seems rough。
True virtue is like a valley。
The immaculate seems humble。
Extensive virtue seems insufficient。
Established virtue seems deceptive。
The face of reality seems to change。
The great square has no corners。
Great ability takes a long time to perfect。
Great sound is hard to hear。
The great form has no shape。
The Tao is hidden and nameless。
This is exactly why the Tao is good at developing and perfecting。
The true student hears of the Tao； h is diligent and practices it。
The average student hears of it； sometimes he appears to be attentive； then again he is inattentive。
The half hearted student hears of it； he loudly derides it。 If it did not provoke ridicule it would not be worthy the name…Tao。
Again there are those whose only care is phraseology。
The brilliancy of the Tao is as obscurity； the advance of the Tao is as a retreat； the equality of the Tao is as inequality； the higher energy is as cosmic space； the greatest purity is as uncleanness； the widest virtue is as if insufficient； established virtue is as if furtive； the truest essence is as imperfection； the most perfect square is cornerless； the largest vessel is last completed； the loudest sound has fewest tones； the grandest conception is formless。
The Tao is concealed and nameless； yet it is the Tao alone which excels in imparting and completing。
42
Tao produces one
One produces two
Two produce three
Three produce myriad things
Myriad things； backed by yin and embracing yang
Achieve harmony by integrating their energy
What the people dislike
Are alone； bereft； and unworthy
But the rulers call themselves with these terms
So with all things
Appear to take loss but benefit
Or receive benefit but lose
What the ancients taught
I will also teach
The violent one cannot have a natural death
I will use this as the principal of teachings
What people dislike are abandonment； loneliness and being unworthy
And yet kings and lords name themeselves with such terms
Therefore
That which people hate to think of themselves as 〃orphan；〃 〃lowly；〃 and 〃unworthy〃
Yet the kings call themselves by these names
Some lose and yet gain；
Others gain and yet lose。
That which is taught by the people
I also teach：
〃The forceful do not choose their place of death。〃
I regard this as the father of all teachings。
That which men hate is to be kithless； friendless and considered unworthy； but princes and dukes thus style themselves。
From this it would appear that advantages are disadvantageous； and disadvantages are advantageous。
I teach that which others have taught。
The violent and the fierce do not live out their years。
I shall be chief among the teachers。
43
The softest things of the world
Override the hardest things of the world
That which has no substance
Enters into that which has no openings
From this I know the benefits of non…attached actions
The teaching without words
The benefits of actions without attachment
Are rarely matched in the world
Our observation of nature shows us that the softest things have power over the hardest things in the world。 Consider a horseman riding a powerful； galloping steed。 The rider cannot compare to the horse in terms of physical strength； but there is no question who is controlling whom。
Water seeps into and dissolves rocks； electricity flows through a block of metal。 This is how the Tao； which lacks substance； can permeate all things … even if they appear to be solid； without any cracks or openings。
I can extrapolate from this to understand life。 The Tao acts in a wu wei manner and effortlessly achieves the miracle of life。 I； too； can act without attachment in affairs of the world to achieve great benefits effortlessly。
The most effective teaching is conveyed through personal examples rather than preachy words。 The most effective results are achieved through acting without any attachments to specific outcomes。
This is the way of the Tao。 Its power and effectiveness are unmatched in the world。 At the same time； it is also rarely understood by most people。
Notes
Other points to reinforce this concept：
1） When one grows old； the teeth fall out but the tongue remains。
2） The pliant grass survives a fierce storm while the unyielding tree is uprooted。
44
Fame or the self； which is dearer？
The self or wealth； which is greater？
Gain or loss； which is more painful？
Thus excessive love must lead to great spending
Excessive hoarding must lead to heavy loss
Knowing contentment avoids disgrace
Knowing when to stop avoids danger
Thus one can endure indefinitely
Which do you hold more dear； fame or your true self？
Which do you value more； your true self or material possessions？
Which is more painful； gain or loss？
Therefore we always pay a great price for excessive love
And suffer deep loss for great accumulation。
Knowing what is enough； you will not be humiliated。