Tao Te Ching

Chapter 57
[Original text]

Those who know [1] do not speak, and those who speak do not know.

Reducing its sharpness, resolving its confusion, reconciling its light, and its dust are called "Xuan Tong [2]".

Therefore, it cannot be obtained to be close, nor can it be obtained to be distant; it cannot be obtained to benefit, nor can it be harmed; it cannot be obtained to be expensive, nor can it be obtained to be cheap.Therefore, it is expensive in the world.

【Note】

[1] Know: know, understand, understand.

[2] Xuantong: the mysterious world of Datong, here refers to "Tao".

【Analysis】

A ruler who truly understands the "Tao" will not issue orders at will, and those rulers who often issue orders to the people must not understand the principle of "letting nature take its course".

Dampen people's spirit, mediate disputes among people, and let people's thinking and behavior be integrated with the world. This is the so-called "mysterious Datong world".

Therefore, you can neither love him because you understand him, nor deliberately alienate him because you understand him; you can neither use the other party because you understand him, nor hurt him because you understand him; understand and belittle each other.If you do this, you will become an emperor respected by the world.

In fact, the theory in this chapter is very easy to understand in real life. People often discuss a matter with others when they are not very clear about it. In fact, they are looking for proof everywhere.And those who really know everything, tend not to make any comments and questions.On the other hand, after people understand something, they always decide their relationship with each other according to their own standpoint, which also violates the nature and fairness of "Tao", and it is correct to maintain a neutral heart of inaction.

【Explanation by Famous Artists】

Mr. He Shang:
Those who know value their deeds not their words.Don't have enough tongue, talk too much and suffer too much.

If you want to do something sharply in your lust, you should stop it by thinking about the Tao and doing nothing.There are endless hatreds.When you read the Tao and calm down to explain it.Even if you have a unique vision, you should harmonize with it to make it dark and not to confuse people.It is not appropriate to be special.Xuan, God.People who can do these things are said to be on the same path as the sky.

Do not take pleasure in honor, but mourn in independence.Be quiet and have no desires, and have no complaints with others.The body does not want riches and honor, and the mouth does not want the five flavors.Don't compete with greed for profit, don't compete with courage.Don't be the lord of troubled times, and don't be in the dark throne.Don't be arrogant because of taking advantage of power, and don't be subdued because of lack of ambition.Its virtue is such that the emperor cannot be a minister, and the princes cannot be subdued.

(End of this chapter)