Tao Te Ching Chapter 24
Original Chinese Text
企者不立，跨者不行。
自见者不明，自是者不彰，
自伐者无功，自矜者不长。
其在道也，曰余食赘行。
物或恶之，故有道者不处。
Pinyin (Pronunciation)
Qǐ zhě bù lì, kuà zhě bù xíng.
Zì xiàn zhě bù míng, zì shì zhě bù zhāng,
Zì fá zhě wú gōng, zì jīn zhě bù zhǎng.
Qí zài dào yě, yuē yú shí zhuì xíng.
Wù huò wù zhī, gù yǒu dào zhě bù chǔ.
白话文翻译 (Plain Chinese Translation)
- 企者不立，跨者不行
- 踮起脚跟的人站不稳，跨步前进的人走不远。
- Those who tiptoe cannot stand firm; those who stride cannot walk far.
- 自见者不明…自矜者不长
- 自我表现的人反而不明智，自以为是的人反而难彰显，自我夸耀的人反而无功劳，自高自大的人反而难长久。
- Self-displayers lack clarity; self-approvers lack distinction; self-boasters lack merit; self-important lack endurance.
- 其在道也，曰余食赘行
- 从道的角度看，这些行为叫作”剩饭赘瘤”。
- To the Tao, these are like leftover food or tumors—useless excess.
- 物或恶之，故有道者不处
- 万物都厌恶这些，所以有道的人绝不这样做。
- All things detest such conduct—thus the enlightened avoid it.
Key Concepts Explained
- 余食赘行 (yú shí zhuì xíng) – Metaphors for ego-driven behavior:
- 余食 = Leftover food (stale, unwanted)
- 赘行 = Tumors (unnatural growths)
- 四自 (Four “Self”) – Ego traps warned against in Chapter 22:
- 自见 (self-display)
- 自是 (self-righteousness)
- 自伐 (self-boasting)
- 自矜 (self-importance)
Philosophical Essence
- Physics of Ego
强行行为 自然结果 道学启示 企 (Tiptoe) 不立 (Unstable) 人为努力适得其反 跨 (Overstride) 不行 (Can’t go far) 过度=自我破坏 - Negative Mirror of Chapter 22
- Where Chapter 22 lists positive outcomes of humility:
- 不自见→明
- 不自是→彰
- Chapter 24 shows negative results of pride:
- 自见→不明
- 自是→不彰
- Where Chapter 22 lists positive outcomes of humility:
- Universal Rejection Principle
- “物或恶之” suggests even nature itself rejects ego:
- Trees don’t force growth
- Rivers don’t boast flowing
- “物或恶之” suggests even nature itself rejects ego:
“Arrogance is like perfume—intoxicating to the wearer, offensive to everyone else.”
— Modern analogy for verse 4’s “物或恶之”