Tao Te Ching · Chapter
LIX explained
This chapter emphasizes the importance of moderation in regulating human nature and serving the heavenly, leading to an early return to one's normal state and the repeated accumulation of Tao's attributes.
What happens
This chapter emphasizes the importance of moderation in regulating human nature and serving the heavenly, leading to an early return to one's normal state and the repeated accumulation of Tao's attributes. This accumulation enables the subjugation of obstacles, allowing one to become a ruler of a state and achieve enduring life, likened to a plant with deep roots and firm stalks.
Themes in this chapter
Simplicity and Humility
Moderation is presented as the key to regulating the human and serving the heavenly, reflecting simplicity and humility in action.
Return to Origins and Stillness
The early return to man's normal state through moderation aligns with the theme of returning to origins and stillness.
Key passages
“For regulating the human (in our constitution) and rendering the (proper) service to the heavenly, there is nothing like moderation.”
Moderation is the best method for governing one's own nature and fulfilling one's duty to the divine.
Highlights the central role of moderation in personal and spiritual governance.
“It is only by this moderation that there is effected an early return (to man’s normal state).”
Only through moderation can one quickly revert to their original, balanced condition.
Emphasizes moderation as the path to restoring natural harmony.
“That early return is what I call the repeated accumulation of the attributes (of the Tao).”
This swift return is described as the continuous gathering of the Tao's qualities.
Links the concept of return to the cultivation of virtue.
“With that repeated accumulation of those attributes, there comes the subjugation (of every obstacle to such return).”
As these qualities accumulate, all barriers to returning to the natural state are overcome.
Describes the progressive power of accumulated virtue.
“Of this subjugation we know not what shall be the limit; and when one knows not what the limit shall be, he may be the ruler of a state.”
The extent of this overcoming is boundless, and such boundlessness qualifies one to govern a state.
Connects personal mastery to the capacity for leadership.
“He who possesses the mother of the state may continue long.”
One who holds the foundational principle of the state can endure for a long time.
The 'mother' symbolizes the source or root of stable governance.