"What has no substance can penetrate what has no opening."

Tao Te Ching — Chapter 43

The Taoist Classic by Lao Tzu
Translated and Explained

43

The principle of non-action, wu-wei, is frequently propagated in the Tao Te Ching. Often, the best solution is not to act at all, and when action is needed, to do as little as possible. Most things in the world correct themselves, given time. When impatience makes us hurry to solve them, we may make things worse.

       The passivity Lao Tzu speaks of is no surrender, but the patience to wait for the outcome. One should show trust in Tao, the Way, and how it governs the universe towards harmony. In many cases, what we perceive as problems demanding our attention are merely phases on the way to a good outcome, in no need of our meddling. How can we be sure of contributing, when we don't even know what will happen by itself?

       Certainly, there can be situations when we do need to take action, and quickly, for example to save lives or to avoid disaster. Lao Tzu doesn't deny it, but he doubts that such occasions should excuse our interference when not necessary or called for.

       We human beings have a tendency to regard ourselves as motors of the world, as if nothing would happen – at least nothing good – without our initiative. It's a kind of hubris of our species. The other creatures on the planet do what is in their nature, fulfilling their natural needs, and leave it at that. We repeatedly take on the roles of the gods we believe in, imagining that we can do their job or correct it. That's not likely to end well.

       As for words, when we express in words what should be taught from one generation to the next, we might be like the priest imploring his congregation to live as he speaks, not as he lives. Words are necessary when action is flawed. We teach what our own behavior doesn't display. If we could act correctly, we would not need words to transmit it.

       Because we act incorrectly, and far too much, we need words to convey what we should have done or refrained from doing.

       That which is the softest in the world is Tao, and it surpasses everything, no matter how hard. Also that, which has no substance and therefore penetrates all things, is Tao. Tao is everywhere, and behind everything, since before the dawn of time and beyond its final hour.

       Those who follow Tao live in accordance with the world, so they make sure to be soft. In addition, although they are unable to lose substance, they put little value to it. They know that what is truly important is what seems not to exist at all.

© Stefan Stenudd.

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Tao Te Ching Explained

Preface

Introduction

Literature

The 81 Chapters of Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
translated and explained by Stefan Stenudd.

1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30
31	32	33	34	35	36
37	38	39	40	41	42
43	44	45	46	47	48
49	50	51	52	53	54
55	56	57	58	59	60
61	62	63	64	65	66
67	68	69	70	71	72
73	74	75	76	77	78
79	80	81

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Tao Te Ching Explained

James Legge's Tao Te Ching

Aleister Crowley's Tao Te Ching

The 1st Chapter of Tao Te Ching in 76 Versions

Lao Tzu — Legendary Author of Tao Te Ching

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