Tao Te Ching, Chapter 28
The following commentary was sent to me by Bo Chen, apromise.andrew@gmail.com, on 1/24/2021.
"《道德经》 第二十八章
Reading with Chinese pronunciation:
zhī qí xióng，shǒu qí cí，wèi tiān xià xī。
wèi tiān xià xī，cháng dé bù lí。cháng dé bù lí，fù guī yú yīng ér。
zhī qí bái，shǒu qí hēi，wèi tiān xià shì。
wèi tiān xià shì，cháng dé bù tè。cháng dé bù tè，fù guī yú wú jí。
zhī qí róng，shǒu qí rǔ，wèi tiān xià gǔ。
wèi tiān xià gǔ, cháng dé nǎi zú，fù guī yú pǔ。
pǔ sàn zé wèi qì，shèng rén yòng zhī，zé wèi guān zhǎng，gù dà zhì bù gē。
Chinese original text:
知其雄，守其雌，为天下谿。
为天下谿，常德不离，复归于婴儿。
知其白，守其黑，为天下式。
为天下式，常德不忒，复归于无极。
知其荣，守其辱，为天下谷。
为天下谷，常德乃足，复归于朴。
朴散则为器，圣人用之，则为官长，故大制不割。
Chinese Translation:
知道雄强的力量
却持守住卑微地位
让自己处于柔弱谦逊
柔弱谦逊那么德行日盛
最终回归于婴儿般的状态
知道是非分明
但是却持守住包容
作为天下的榜样
最终回归到无极的状态
知道什么是显达荣耀
但是却不张扬甘于保持谦逊低调
好像回归到山谷般的状态
这样的行为德行越发醇厚
回归到质朴无华的状态
这种朴质发扬光大就是功德
圣人采用这种原则和方法就成为万民的楷模
所以看上去宏大抽象
但是使用起来无所不包并且效果让人难以置信
English translation
Tao Te Ching Chapter 28
Aware of the advantage of great power and strong strength
Retain this competitiveness but act with weakness and modesty
The feeling for humble behavior just like peaceful stream
More and more gentle finally approach to infant’s breath
Aware of the benefit of obvious persuasion and clear justice
Maintain the kindness but tolerate other’s mistakes and selfishness
The mind for tolerant treatment just like patterns all over the country
More and more tolerant finally return to a limitless boundary
Aware of the glory of privileged position and prominent reputation
Keep the admirable honor but respect the lowest class of citizens equally
The morality for respect just like deep and profound valley
More and more modesty finally go back to a simple and unadorned origin
Saint inherits above principles and act as the model for all the people
The guidelines seem broad and abstract with no clear logic restrictions
But once think deeply and grasp the essence of life philosophy
Nothing will be omissive and practical effects will be incredibly perfect.
Comments and interpretation about Chapter 28
Chapter 28 mainly emphasizes how people should properly make the responses for the traditional values about external indicators, such as keep modesty, gentle and tolerance, because these principals will bring harmonious and wonderful relationships, and harmony is one important guideline to seek for Taoism. The writer Lao Tzu clearly understood how people easily be induced to show their strength, square accounts in every detail, enjoy superficial fame. Of course, these actions will make contradictions and will be far away from the Tao, so Lao Tzu reminds people don’t be to pragmatic and materialistic too much, and pay attention to Taoism and ideal life philosophy. This is an interesting topic, you get more from life and don’t dedicate, you will be rich but your life will lack of spiritual and real life value, and if you tend to serve the society and provide the assistance for others, you will be happy and excited, of course, maybe you will not to take care of wealth and reputation. Please keep the balance between materialism and spiritualism to achieve the ideal situation, and this is wonderful life style approach to Taoism. In text of Chapter 28, Lao Tzu lists three comparisons to illustrate, we can deduce various other relative concepts should also be the same principal as above. Lao Tzu only provide one method to seek for Taoism, not absolute detailed answer, this is a relativity theory. So every person has different judgments and understanding, this is why Tao Te Ching is profound and magical for most people."
The above commentary was sent to me by Bo Chen, apromise.andrew@gmail.com, on 1/24/2021.
Chapter 28, Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
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