Tao Te Ching

Chapter 50
[Original text]

A sage often has no heart[1], and takes the hearts of the people as his heart.

I am kind to those who are good; I am also good to those who are not good.

Those who believe, I believe; those who do not believe, I also believe, morality.

The sage is in the world, She She[3] Yan, and he is the heart of the world.The common people pay attention to [4] their eyes and ears, and the saints are all children [5].

【Note】

[1] Heart: Selfishness.

[2] De: Tong "get", get.Extended to understand.

[3] She (xī) She: Inhale, here refers to convergence, cautious.

[4] Hun: chaos, simplicity.

[5] Note: focus.

[6] Child: child, baby, here refers to "Tao" possessing the innocence and simplicity of a baby.

【Analysis】

People who comprehend the "Tao" are usually selfless, and they will regard the hearts of the people as their own.

For the kind person, I will treat him kindly; for the unkind person, I will also treat him kindly, so that both of us will have a true kind heart.

For those who keep their promises, I will keep their promises; for those who do not keep their promises, I will also keep their promises, so that we both understand the true meaning of trustworthiness.

Those who know the "Tao" in the world are always cautious and cautious, and even their hearts are simple for the sake of the people in the world.People focus on making themselves hearing, eyesight, and mind smart, while those who "get the Tao" want the people to return to the honesty and simplicity when they were born.

The sage mentioned by Lao Tzu refers to the person who understands the "Tao" or has already obtained the Tao, and also implies the most ideal ruler.Such a ruler, no matter what the people's heart is like, or how the people treat him, he will use kindness and trust to educate the people, and strive for the people to follow the law of "Tao".

【Explanation by Famous Artists】

Mr. He Shang:
The sage emphasizes change and change, and follows the rules, as if he has no intention.The people's hearts are convenient, and the saints follow them.

The common people do good, so the saints are good.The common people are not good, but the sages make them good.The people are virtuous, and the saints are good.

People believe in it, and saints believe in it.The common people do not believe, but the sages make them believe.People are virtuous, and saints are trustworthy.

The sage is very fearful in the world, rich and noble dare not be extravagant.It is said that the sage muddles his heart for the people of the world, as if he is foolish and unable to understand.Note, use also.The common people use their ears and eyes to see and hear the sage.The sage loves the common people like a baby, and raises them without expecting retribution.

(End of this chapter)