Tao Te Ching Chapter 55
1. Classical Chinese Original
含德之厚，比于赤子。
毒虫不螫，猛兽不据，攫鸟不搏。
骨弱筋柔而握固。
未知牝牡之合而朘作，精之至也。
终日号而不嗄，和之至也。
知和曰常，知常曰明。
益生曰祥，心使气曰强。
物壮则老，谓之不道，不道早已。
2. Pinyin Transcription
Hán dé zhī hòu, bǐ yú chì zǐ.
Dú chóng bù shì, měng shòu bù jù, jué niǎo bù bó.
Gǔ ruò jīn róu ér wò gù.
Wèi zhī pìn mǔ zhī hé ér zuī zuò, jīng zhī zhì yě.
Zhōng rì hào ér bù shà, hé zhī zhì yě.
Zhī hé yuē cháng, zhī cháng yuē míng.
Yì shēng yuē xiáng, xīn shǐ qì yuē qiáng.
Wù zhuàng zé lǎo, wèi zhī bù dào, bù dào zǎo yǐ.
3. Structural Analysis
Section 1: The Virtuous Infant Archetype
- Original: “One who embodies abundant virtue resembles a newborn infant.”
- Protection:
- “Poisonous insects won’t sting”
- “Fierce beasts won’t attack”
- “Birds of prey won’t strike”
- Paradoxical Strength:
“Soft bones and tender muscles yet firm grip”
Section 2: Two Supreme States
- Vital Essence (精之至):
“Innocent sexual vitality without carnal knowledge” - Perfect Harmony (和之至):
“Cries all day without hoarseness”
Section 3: Wisdom Principles
- Cosmic Knowledge:
“Knowing harmony = constancy (常)”
“Knowing constancy = enlightenment (明)” - Warning Signs:
“Forced longevity invites misfortune”
“Mind controlling energy = false strength” - Natural Law:
“Things reaching peak decay rapidly”
“This violates Dao → early demise”
4. Key Concepts
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Philosophical Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 赤子 | chì zǐ | Newborn infant | Pure, unspoiled state |
| 和之至 | hé zhī zhì | Ultimate harmony | Perfect natural balance |
| 常 | cháng | Constancy | Eternal cosmic principle |
| 不道 | bù dào | Un-Dao | Against natural order |
5. Comparative Commentary
- Chapter 10 Parallel: “Can you be like a newborn?”
- Psychology: Jung’s divine child archetype
- Biology: Neoteny (retaining juvenile features) advantages
6. Plain-English Summary
This chapter reveals:
- Ideal State: Infant-like purity attracts protection
- Two Perfections:
- Untapped vital energy
- Unbroken harmony
- Wisdom Path:
- Embrace natural rhythms → enlightenment
- Reject artificial force → avoid disaster
- Universal Law:
- What forcefully grows → quickly dies