Tao Te Ching

Chapter 49
[Original text]

For the sake of learning [1] day by day, for the day by day loss of Tao.Damage and damage, to the point of doing nothing, doing nothing without doing nothing.

It is not enough to win the world if there is nothing to do[2], and there are things to do[3].

【Note】

[1] Learning: Secular learning, here refers to the opposite of "Tao".

[2] Nothing: nothing to do.

[3] Something to do: As, here refers to the imposition of harsh laws and tyranny on the people.

【Analysis】

If you study secular knowledge, hypocrisy and treachery will increase day by day; if you practice the natural way, selfish desires will decrease day by day.Continue to decrease after reduction until you reach a state of inaction.

If you understand the principle of "Tao" and don't act rashly, you can do everything.The way to win the world is often not to act recklessly. If you do something and impose harsh punishments and tyranny on the people, it will be difficult to win the world.

The people will always support those rulers who respect them, and the best way to respect them is not to interfere with what the people do, especially not to use punishment and tyranny to restrain the people, or simply not to do anything to the people.This way is as if "Tao" will do nothing to all things. The ruler treats the people in the same way that "Tao" treats all things, and the people will naturally attach to the ruler in the same way that all things attach to and respect "Tao".

【Explanation by Famous Artists】

Mr. He Shang:
Learning is also called the study of politics, religion, ritual and music.Increasingly, more and more erotic ornaments.Tao is also called the way of nature.Those who suffer daily loss, the erotic ornaments will wear away with each passing day.Those who lose it also lose their lust.Those who lose it again, so gradually go away.Be as calm as a baby and do nothing.Severe lust, and morality is in harmony with Dao, so you can do anything and do everything.

Take, rule also.In order to rule the world, one should always have nothing to do, and one should not worry about it.If it is too busy, the politics and religion will be troublesome, and the people will be uneasy, so it is not enough to rule the world.

(End of this chapter)