Tao Te Ching Chapter 34
1. Classical Chinese Original
大道泛兮，其可左右。
万物恃之以生而不辞，功成而不有。
衣养万物而不为主，可名于小；
万物归焉而不为主，可名为大。
以其终不自为大，故能成其大。
2. Pinyin Transcription
Dà dào fàn xī, qí kě zuǒ yòu.
Wànwù shì zhī yǐ shēng ér bù cí, gōng chéng ér bù yǒu.
Yī yǎng wànwù ér bù wéi zhǔ, kě míng yú xiǎo;
Wànwù guī yān ér bù wéi zhǔ, kě míng wéi dà.
Yǐ qí zhōng bù zì wéi dà, gù néng chéng qí dà.
3. Structural Analysis
Section 1: The Universal Flow of the Tao
- Original: 大道泛兮，其可左右。
- Literal: “The Great Tao flows everywhere—it may go left or right.”
- Interpretation: The Tao is omnipresent and all-encompassing, unrestricted by direction or form.
Section 2: The Tao’s Humble Nourishment
- Original: 万物恃之以生而不辞，功成而不有。
- Literal: “All things depend on it for life, yet it claims no authority; it accomplishes but takes no credit.”
- Interpretation: The Tao sustains all creation without domination or ego, embodying true humility.
Section 3: Paradox of Small and Great
- Original: 衣养万物而不为主，可名于小；万物归焉而不为主，可名为大。
- Literal: “It clothes and nourishes all things yet does not rule them—this may be called ‘small.’ All things return to it yet it does not rule them—this may be called ‘great.'”
- Interpretation:
- Small (小): The Tao’s subtle, invisible influence.
- Great (大): Its capacity to hold all things without control.
Section 4: The Power of Non-claiming
- Original: 以其终不自为大，故能成其大。
- Literal: “Because it never claims greatness, its greatness is fulfilled.”
- Interpretation: True greatness arises from not asserting dominance (wu wei).
4. Key Concepts
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Philosophical Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 泛 | fàn | Pervade | The Tao’s boundless presence |
| 不辞 | bù cí | No claim | Non-ownership of outcomes |
| 不为主 | bù wéi zhǔ | Not dominate | Leadership without control |
| 不自为大 | bù zì wéi dà | Not self-aggrandize | Humility as true power |
5. Comparative Commentary
- Nature Metaphor: Like water (Chapter 8), the Tao flows without contention.
- Governance: Contrasts with Confucian “benevolent rule”—Daoist leaders follow rather than direct.
- Modern Physics: Resonates with quantum field theory (invisible yet fundamental).
6. Plain-English Summary
The Tao is the ultimate nurturer that:
- Flows everywhere (like air) but never forces.
- Gives life freely but never demands praise.
- Seems small in its subtlety but is great in its embrace.
- Becomes truly great by never claiming greatness.
Discussion Prompt:
How might this chapter redefine “leadership” in modern organizations?