Tao Te Ching Chapter 29
1. Classical Chinese Original
将欲取天下而为之，吾见其不得已。
天下神器，不可为也，不可执也。
为者败之，执者失之。
是以圣人无为，故无败；无执，故无失。
夫物或行或随，或嘘或吹，或强或羸，或载或隳。
是以圣人去甚，去奢，去泰。
2. Pinyin Transcription
Jiāng yù qǔ tiānxià ér wéi zhī, wú jiàn qí bùdé yǐ.
Tiānxià shénqì, bùkě wéi yě, bùkě zhí yě.
Wéi zhě bài zhī, zhí zhě shī zhī.
Shì yǐ shèngrén wúwéi, gù wú bài; wú zhí, gù wú shī.
Fū wù huò xíng huò suí, huò xū huò chuī, huò qiáng huò léi, huò zài huò huī.
Shì yǐ shèngrén qù shèn, qù shē, qù tài.
3. Literal Translation (Structured)
Section 1: The Futility of Force
- “Those who wish to take the world and control it—I see they cannot succeed.”
- “The world is a sacred vessel (神器 shénqì), which cannot be controlled or grasped.”
- “Those who act on it fail; those who grasp it lose it.”
Section 2: The Wisdom of Non-Action (Wu Wei)
- “Thus, the sage does not act (无为 wúwéi), so does not fail; does not grasp, so does not lose.”
Section 3: The Natural Order of Things
- “All things either lead or follow, breathe gently or blow hard, are strong or weak, flourish or collapse.”
- “Thus, the sage avoids extremes (甚 shèn), excess (奢 shē), and extravagance (泰 tài).”
4. Plain-English Interpretation
Core Teaching:
- Against Control: The world cannot be forced—it is a “sacred vessel” that follows its own way.
- Wu Wei (Non-Action): True leadership means not interfering, not seizing control.
- Natural Balance: Everything has its own rhythm—strength and weakness, rise and fall.
Threefold Path of the Sage:
- Rejects extremes (avoid too much or too little).
- Rejects excess (moderation over greed).
- Rejects force (flexibility over rigidity).
5. Key Concepts
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 神器 | shénqì | “Sacred vessel” (the world as divine, untamable) |
| 无为 | wúwéi | Non-action, effortless action |
| 甚 | shèn | Extreme, excessive |
| 奢 | shē | Luxury, waste |
| 泰 | tài | Extravagance, overdoing |
Philosophical Link:
- Echoes Chapter 30: “Forceful actions lead to backlash.”
- Aligns with Chapter 37: “The Tao does nothing, yet nothing is left undone.”
Modern Application
- Leadership: Guide without micromanaging (like water shaping rock gently).
- Personal Growth: Accept natural ebbs and flows—don’t force outcomes.
- Sustainability: Avoid exploitation (the world is a “sacred vessel”).
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