Tao Te Ching Chapter 40 The opposite, the movement of the Tao, the weak, the use of the Tao? What do

Mondo Culture Updated on 2024-02-22

I think this chapter is quite difficult, what is the anti and what is the weak? What does it have to do with the Word?

However, I seem to have figured it out, welcome to learn with me!

Original text: The opposite, the movement of the Tao; The weak, the use of the Tao. Everything in the world is born from being, and some are born from nothing.

Translation:Mutual transformation and repetition are precisely the laws of motion of things emphasized by the "Tao".

Weakness is one way for the Tao to play a role.

Everything in the world is produced from the concrete "being" of materiality, and "being" is produced from the abstract and intangible "nothing", that is, everything in the world represents the concrete "being", and the concrete "being" can be produced from various concepts.

For example, a horse is just a concept, and only a specific horse is material.

Insights:

This chapter is equivalent to a summary of the characteristics of the Tao.

What is "anti"?

The second chapter of the Tao Te Ching lists several "anti" things:

Therefore, there is no symbiosis, difficulty and ease are compatible, the length is comparative, the high and the low are inclined to each other, the sound is harmonious, the front and back are with each other, and the constant is also.

Because of the mutual transformation, the cycle repeats, we have to find the best point, don't do it, and we won't transform to the place where we don't want to reach.

How do you find the sweet spot?

It is to do what the saints do not do, and to teach without words;

All things are made and the Buddha begins, is born and is born, is born and is born, and is born and revered. Fu Wei Fuju is not going to go.

That is, not to act indiscriminately, not to change government decrees indiscriminately, even if they give birth to all things but do not possess them, to cultivate all things but not to show off their strength, and to achieve all things but not to claim merit. It is precisely because he is not proud of his credits that everyone remembers his credits.

Therefore, "anti" is to know how to be temperate, know how to balance, and be just right.

What is "weak"?

Chapter 22 gives an example, what is "weak", not self-right, not self-defeating, not self-supporting, because "weak", so the world can not compete with it.

is not self-sufficient, so it is revealed;

does not cut itself, so there is merit;

Not self-conscious, so long.

The husband is indisputable, so the world can not fight with it.

Therefore, the "weakness" emphasized by the "Dao" is not the real weakness of ability, but the humility and peace of attitude.

What is the "being" of all things in the world, and what is the "being" born from the "nothing"?

"Being" is a concrete thing, which can be seen and touched, and "nothing" is a concept, which cannot be seen or touched.

To understand the world, we need to know not only concrete things, but also concepts. "Being" and "nothingness" make up the whole of the world and are inseparable.

Hello there, thank you for reading, nice to meet you!

It's not easy to persevere, can you give a little attention and encouragement? Thank!

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