Tao Te Ching Chapter 35
1. Classical Chinese Original
执大象，天下往。
往而不害，安平泰。
乐与饵，过客止。
道之出口，淡乎其无味。
视之不足见，听之不足闻，用之不足既。
2. Pinyin Transcription
Zhí dà xiàng, tiānxià wǎng.
Wǎng ér bù hài, ān píng tài.
Lè yǔ ěr, guòkè zhǐ.
Dào zhī chūkǒu, dàn hū qí wú wèi.
Shì zhī bùzú jiàn, tīng zhī bùzú wén, yòng zhī bùzú jì.
3. Structural Analysis
Section 1: The Attraction of the Tao
- Original: 执大象，天下往。
- Literal: “Hold the Great Image, and all the world will come.”
- Interpretation:
- Great Image (大象): The formless essence of the Tao
- Universal Appeal: The Tao naturally draws all things to it
Section 2: The Peace of the Tao
- Original: 往而不害，安平泰。
- Literal: “Coming without harm, they find peace and security.”
- Interpretation:
- The Tao offers refuge without conditions or conflict
Section 3: Contrast with Sensory Pleasures
- Original: 乐与饵，过客止。
- Literal: “Music and food may make passing guests stop.”
- Interpretation:
- Temporary Attractions: Sensory pleasures only detain temporarily
- Tao’s Sustenance: Provides deeper, lasting fulfillment
Section 4: The Subtle Nature of the Tao
- Original: 道之出口，淡乎其无味。
- Literal: “The Tao spoken is so bland it seems flavorless.”
- Interpretation:
- Rejects superficial charm for profound simplicity
Section 5: The Limitless Tao
- Original: 视之不足见，听之不足闻，用之不足既。
- Literal: “Looked at, it can’t be seen; listened to, it can’t be heard; used, it can’t be exhausted.”
- Interpretation:
- Paradox of being imperceptible yet inexhaustible
4. Key Concepts
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Philosophical Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 大象 | dà xiàng | Great Image | The Tao’s essential nature |
| 安平泰 | ān píng tài | Peace and security | Natural state under the Tao |
| 淡 | dàn | Bland/flavorless | The Tao’s unadorned simplicity |
| 不足既 | bùzú jì | Cannot be exhausted | The Tao’s infinite capacity |
5. Comparative Commentary
- Chapter 14 Parallel: Both describe the Tao’s imperceptibility
- Buddhist Contrast: Similar to Nirvana’s “peace beyond understanding”
- Modern Psychology: Echoes research on lasting vs. transient happiness
6. Plain-English Summary
The Tao:
- Attracts effortlessly (like gravity)
- Provides true peace (unlike temporary pleasures)
- Seems unremarkable but is infinitely sustaining
- Cannot be grasped but never runs out
Discussion Prompt:
How does this challenge our culture’s pursuit of constant stimulation?
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