The Sage Has No Invariable Mind (Dao De Jing, Chapter 49): Literal Translation: “The sage has no invariable mind (常心).” Alternate translations: “The sage has no fixed heart-mind” or “The sage is free from rigid personal opinions.” Key Concepts: Sage (圣人): An enlightened ruler or wise person who embodies Dao (the Way). No Invariable Mind (无常心):…
Repay Kindness for Resentment (报怨以德) from Dao De Jing Chapter 63 Literal Meaning Repay (报): To respond or return. Resentment (怨): Grievance, hatred, or harm from others. With Virtue (以德): Through kindness, compassion, or moral integrity (德, De). → “To answer resentment with goodness.” Philosophical Core A Confucian version exists (Analects 14:34), but Laozi’s Daoist interpretation differs: Non-Contention…
轻诺必寡信|…… (Chapter 63 of the Tao Te Ching): Literal Translation: “轻诺” (qīng nuò): “To promise lightly” or “to make casual promises.” “必” (bì): “Inevitably” or “certainly.” “寡信” (guǎ xìn): “Lack of trustworthiness” or “little credibility.” Combined: “Those who promise lightly will inevitably lack trustworthiness.” Key Concepts: Cause and Effect: Casual promises often lead to failure…
知者不博，博者不知| …… (Chapter 81, Tao Te Ching) English cannot express the meaning of Chinese. 1. Literal Translation: “Those who know are not extensive; those who are extensive do not know.” 2. Key Concepts: 知者 (Zhī zhě): “One who truly knows” (possessing wisdom or deep understanding, often linked to the Tao). 不博 (Bù bó): “Not broad” — rejecting superficial accumulation…
The Way of Heaven Benefits Without Harming (Tian Zhi Dao, Li Er Bu Hai) from Dao De Jing, Chapter 81 Core Principle: Heaven’s Dao (Natural Law) operates with inherent balance, nurturing all things without exploitation or destruction. Key Components: 利 (Lì, “Benefits”): Action: Generates life, sustains growth (e.g., sunlight, rain, seasons). Quality: Selfless, impartial, non-competitive. 不害…
民不畏死 (People Do Not Fear Death) from Dao De Jing Chapter 74 Literal Meaning: “民” (mín): The people, common citizens. “不畏” (bù wèi): Do not fear, are not afraid of. “死” (sǐ): Death. Combined: “When the people do not fear death…” Context in Chapter 74: The full line: “民不畏死，奈何以死惧之？” (“If people do not fear death,…
Qu Shen Qu She Qu Tai (Chapter 29 of Dao De Jing) Literal Translation: “Qu Shen” (去甚): Remove/extreme excessiveness. “Qu She” (去奢): Eliminate luxury/extravagance. “Qu Tai” (去泰): Abandon arrogance/complacency. Core Principle: A directive to reject extremes and artificial excess, aligning with the Dao (自然, “natural way”) by practicing moderation, humility, and simplicity. Key Components: Avoid Excess (甚/奢):…
Great Debating Seems Inarticulate (Da Bian Ruo Ne, 《道德经》Chapter 45) Literal Translation: “Great debating” (大辩, Da Bian): Supreme skill in argument or discourse. “Seems inarticulate” (若讷, Ruo Ne): Appears hesitant, slow-spoken, or verbally restrained. Core Meaning: True mastery of persuasion does not rely on aggressive eloquence or excessive words. The most profound arguments may appear understated, deliberate,…
Great Straightness Seems Bent (Da Zhi Ruo Qu) from Laozi’s Dao De Jing, Chapter 45 Literal Translation: “Great straightness appears bent” or “The greatest straightness seems crooked.” Core Meaning: Paradox: True perfection (or ultimate virtue) may not conform to conventional expectations. Appearance vs. Reality: What seems flawed or indirect might embody a deeper, more authentic…
Wei Er Bu Zheng (为而不争) from the Dao De Jing, Chapter 81 Literal Translation: “Wei” (为): To act, to do. “Er” (而): But, yet (contrastive conjunction). “Bu Zheng” (不争): Not to contend/compete. → “To act yet not contend.” Core Meaning: The phrase describes the ideal way of acting in alignment with the Dao (the natural way). It emphasizes:…
