Tao Te Ching Chapter 7
Original Chinese Text
天长地久。
天地所以能长且久者，
以其不自生，故能长生。
是以圣人后其身而身先，
外其身而身存。
非以其无私邪？
故能成其私。
Pinyin (Pronunciation)
Tiān cháng dì jiǔ.
Tiāndì suǒyǐ néng cháng qiě jiǔ zhě,
Yǐ qí bù zì shēng, gù néng chángshēng.
Shì yǐ shèngrén hòu qí shēn ér shēn xiān,
Wài qí shēn ér shēn cún.
Fēi yǐ qí wúsī xié?
Gù néng chéng qí sī.
白话文翻译 (Plain Chinese Translation)
- 天长地久。天地所以能长且久者，以其不自生，故能长生。
- 天地长久存在。天地之所以能长久，是因为它们不为自己生存，所以能永恒。
- Heaven and Earth endure forever. They endure because they do not exist for themselves—thus they live eternally.
- 是以圣人后其身而身先，外其身而身存。
- 因此，圣人谦退无争，反而领先；置身度外，反而保全。
- Thus, the Sage steps back yet ends up ahead, lets go yet survives.
- 非以其无私邪？故能成其私。
- 不正是因为无私吗？反而成就了自己。
- Is it not because they are selfless that they fulfill themselves?
Key Concepts Explained
- 不自生 (bù zì shēng / Not Self-Generated): The natural world’s sustainability comes from serving life beyond itself.
- 后其身 (hòu qí shēn / Step Back): Paradoxical leadership through humility (compare to Chapter 66’s “humility rules”).
- 成其私 (chéng qí sī / Fulfill Self): True self-interest aligns with universal harmony.
Philosophical Essence
- Paradox of Selflessness: Letting go of ego (“不自生”) leads to true fulfillment (“成其私”).
- Eternal Model: Heaven-Earth’s impartiality (Chapter 5) mirrors the Sage’s selfless service.
- Wuwei Leadership: Governing by humility (“后其身”) echoes Chapter 3’s “无为”.
“The Sage’s power grows by yielding, like bamboo bending in the wind.”
— Analogy for verse 2’s “letting go yet surviving.”
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