Lao Tzu (Lao Zi), the legendary writer of Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing), who rode a water buffalo when leaving the Emperor's court after growing tired of politics. Before leaving China, he wrote Tao Te Ching on the request of a guardsman at the Chinese border.
     Below is a translation and explanation, chapter by chapter, of the Tao Te Ching, made by Swedish historian of ideas Stefan Stenudd. This is an ongoing work, so the chapters (81 in total) will be published as they are written.

Tao Te Ching

by Lao Tzu
Translated and explained by Stefan Stenudd, 2008.
  1   2   3  4   5   6  7   8   9

 

7        Unselfishness

Heaven is eternal and Earth lasting.

How can they be eternal and lasting? Because they don’t live for themselves. That is why they can be eternal.

Thus the sapient puts himself last and becomes the first. He neglects himself and is preserved.

Is it not because he is unselfish that he fulfills himself?

Unselfishness

The well-known reward for the unselfish is the praise he receives. Another benefit is hinted in the example of Heaven and Earth: the ones who don’t live for themselves will endure, because that path is less straining, less of a struggle.

            Those who strive to get ahead are quickly fatigued and wear themselves down. Impatience and discontent are poison to the mind, and therefore at length to the body as well. That is how it works. The one who chases his own happiness will never catch it, but wastes his life running. He may reach far and gather fortunes, but will he have time to enjoy it?

            Those who are humble, with modest demands, are easily satisfied and therefore soon to be joyous. And their joy lasts, undisturbed by temptation. That is medicine to the mind and the body. There is no guarantee for longevity, but the ones who are pleased with their situation have a better chance at it than those who never get enough.

            Of course, the rewards of unselfishness can create a paradox: considering such rewards, what selfish man would not try his utmost to be unselfish – at least enough to receive the benefits of it? That would be selfish unselfishness. I am not sure that it matters, though. It is mostly by our deeds that we shape our lives and affect the lives of others. Not the thoughts behind them. A good deed is helpful, whatever the reason behind it. Considering the sad state much of the world is in, we can’t afford to be that picky. A good deed does good, even if its purpose is selfish.

            Furthermore, it is quite possible that a selfish benefactor will be so pleased with the outcome that he forgets his original intention. That is one of the finer sides of mankind: delight and pleasure are contagious. Unfortunately, so are bitterness and anger. Again a reason for encouraging good deeds of whatever intent.

© Stefan Stenudd

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Stefan Stenudd 2008

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