Tao Te Ching Chapter 49
Original Chinese Text
圣人无常心，以百姓心为心。
善者吾善之，不善者吾亦善之，德善。
信者吾信之，不信者吾亦信之，德信。
圣人在天下，歙歙焉为天下浑其心。
百姓皆注其耳目，圣人皆孩之。
Pinyin (Pronunciation)
Shèngrén wú cháng xīn, yǐ bǎixìng xīn wéi xīn.
Shàn zhě wú shàn zhī, bù shàn zhī wú yì shàn zhī, dé shàn.
Xìn zhě wú xìn zhī, bù xìn zhī wú yì xìn zhī, dé xìn.
Shèngrén zài tiānxià, xīxī yān wéi tiānxià hún qí xīn.
Bǎixìng jiē zhù qí ěr mù, shèngrén jiē hái zhī.
Structured Translation & Interpretation
Core Teachings
| Sage’s Quality | Manifestation | Modern Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 无常心 (No Fixed Mind) | Mirrors people’s hearts | Empathic leadership |
| 德善 (Virtuous Goodness) | Treats all with kindness | Unconditional positive regard |
| 德信 (Virtuous Trust) | Trusts both trusters and distrusters | Non-judgmental acceptance |
| 浑其心 (Merged Heart) | Unifies the world’s diversity | Inclusive governance |
| 皆孩之 (Childlike View) | Sees all as innocent | Beginner’s mind approach |
Plain English Paraphrase
- The Sage’s Mirror
- Has no rigid opinions → Reflects the people’s true needs
- Radical Acceptance
- To the kind: Returns kindness
- To the unkind: Still returns kindness
- To the truthful: Gives trust
- To liars: Still offers trust
- Governing Through Oneness
- Breathes with the world’s rhythm (歙歙焉)
- Returns adults to childlike purity
Key Philosophical Terms
| Chinese | Literal Meaning | Deeper Concept |
|---|---|---|
| 无常心 | “No constant heart” | Adaptive responsiveness |
| 德善/德信 | “Virtuous goodness/trust” | Transcendent moral states |
| 浑其心 | “Merged heart” | Cosmic unity consciousness |
Modern Applications
For Leadership
- “True representatives echo their constituents’ voices” (以百姓心为心)
- “The wisest policies emerge from collective needs, not ideology”
For Conflict Resolution
- “Respond to hostility with space for transformation” (不善者吾亦善之)
- Example: Restorative justice systems
“Like clear water—receiving all reflections without keeping any.”
— Metaphor for the sage’s mind
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