Tao Te Ching · Chapter
XXXIX explained
This chapter emphasizes the Tao as the unifying principle that sustains all things—Heaven, Earth, spirits, valleys, creatures, and rulers.
What happens
This chapter emphasizes the Tao as the unifying principle that sustains all things—Heaven, Earth, spirits, valleys, creatures, and rulers. It warns that without the Tao, each element would fail. It then illustrates the paradox that true dignity and stability come from humility and lowliness, using the example of princes and kings who call themselves by humble titles. The chapter concludes by contrasting the desire to appear elegant like jade with the preference to be coarse like an ordinary stone.
Themes in this chapter
The Tao as the Ultimate Principle
The chapter lists Heaven, Earth, spirits, valleys, creatures, and rulers as all deriving their qualities from the One (the Tao), reinforcing the Tao as the source of all existence and order.
Paradox and Reversal
The text states that dignity finds its root in meanness, and loftiness in lowness, illustrating the Taoist principle that opposites are interdependent and that true strength comes from apparent weakness.
Simplicity and Humility
Princes and kings adopt humble titles like 'Orphans' and 'Men of small virtue,' and the chapter ends by valuing the coarse stone over elegant jade, promoting simplicity and humility over ostentation.
Key passages
“The things which from of old have got the One (the Tao) are— Heaven which by it is bright and pure; Earth rendered thereby firm and sure; Spirits with powers by it supplied; Valleys kept full throughout their void All creatures which through it do live Princes and kings who from it get The model which to all they give.”
Since ancient times, everything that has attained the Tao—Heaven, Earth, spirits, valleys, all living beings, and rulers—has received its essential quality from it.
This opening lists the universal dependence on the Tao for existence and proper function.
“Thus it is that dignity finds its (firm) root in its (previous) meanness, and what is lofty finds its stability in the lowness (from which it rises).”
True honor is rooted in humility, and high status is made secure by its lowly foundation.
This paradox underscores the Taoist value of humility as the basis for true greatness.
“They do not wish to show themselves elegant-looking as jade, but (prefer) to be coarse-looking as an (ordinary) stone.”
They would rather appear rough and unrefined like a common stone than polished and precious like jade.
The final line contrasts superficial elegance with genuine simplicity, favoring the latter.