The ancient sage Lao Tzu is said to have written the Tao Te Ching, which serves as a basis for Taoism and contains spiritual and philosophical messages for the most earnest seekers.
This timeless piece, believed to have been written in the 6th century BC, has inspired many generations over time. It consists of 81 brief but powerful chapters or verses that provide profound insight on how one can live in harmony with The Tao – the universal fundamental way.
The teachings are poetic and paradoxical, often prompting readers to think about the deepest truths around existence, while seeking balance within themselves and their realities.
This article explores some of the main ideas found in twenty versions within the Tao Te Ching. Also included are comparisons with Confucius’ philosophy as well as the Advaita Vedanta, highlighting their similarities and differences.
Twenty Illuminating Verses from the Tao Te Ching
Chapter 1: “The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name.” This verse introduces the ineffable nature of the Tao, emphasizing its transcendence beyond human language and concepts.
Chapter 2: “When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad.” Lao Tzu highlights the duality inherent in human perception and the relativity of concepts like beauty and goodness.
Chapter 8: “The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to. It flows to low places loathed by all men.” Water is used as a metaphor for the Tao, exemplifying humility, adaptability, and nurturing without striving.
Chapter 9: “Better to stop short than fill to the brim. Over-sharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.” This verse warns against excess and advocates for moderation and balance in all things.
Chapter 11: “We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.” Lao Tzu emphasizes the value of emptiness and the unseen, illustrating how the intangible can be more important than the tangible.
Chapter 12: “Colors blind the eye. Sounds deafen the ear. Flavors numb the taste. Thoughts weaken the mind. Desires wither the heart.” Sensory overload and excessive desires are seen as obstacles to inner peace and clarity.
Chapter 13: “Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear.” This verse underscores the transient nature of external achievements and the importance of inner equanimity.
Chapter 15: “The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive. The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable.” Lao Tzu praises the wisdom of ancient sages, characterized by their deep understanding and responsiveness to the Tao.
Chapter 22: “If you want to become whole, let yourself be partial. If you want to become straight, let yourself be crooked.” Paradoxical statements that encourage embracing imperfections and contradictions as part of the path to wholeness.
Chapter 24: “He who stands on tiptoe does not stand firm. He who rushes ahead does not go far.” Impatience and overreaching are seen as counterproductive; true progress requires steadiness and patience.
Chapter 27: “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” Flexibility and openness to the journey, rather than attachment to specific outcomes, are valued.
Chapter 33: “He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened. He who conquers others has physical strength; he who conquers himself is strong.” Self-awareness and self-mastery are considered the highest forms of wisdom and strength.
Chapter 37: “The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done.” The concept of Wu Wei (non-action) illustrates how natural processes occur effortlessly when aligned with the Tao.
Chapter 38: “A truly good man does nothing, yet leaves nothing undone.” True goodness is spontaneous and effortless, reflecting the natural flow of the Tao.
Chapter 42: “The Tao gave birth to One. One gave birth to Two. Two gave birth to Three. Three gave birth to all things.” A cosmological perspective on the creation and interconnectedness of all things.
Chapter 48: “In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired. In the pursuit of the Tao, every day something is dropped.” The path of the Tao involves letting go of excess and unnecessary attachments.
Chapter 56: “Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.” The value of silence and the limits of verbal expression in conveying true knowledge.
Chapter 58: “When the country is governed with simplicity and leniency, the people are honest and genuine.” Lao Tzu advocates for simple, lenient governance to foster honesty and authenticity among the people.
Chapter 64: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The importance of taking the first step, no matter how daunting the journey ahead may seem.
Chapter 76: “A man is born gentle and weak; at his death he is hard and stiff. All things, including the grass and trees, are soft and pliable in life; dry and brittle in death.” Flexibility and softness are associated with life, while rigidity and hardness are linked to death.
Comparisons – Confucianism & Advaita Vedanta
Confucianism
Social Harmony vs. Natural Harmony: Unlike Taoism, which was initiated by Lao Tzu and emphasizes oneness with the natural order as well as the Way (Tao), Confucianism, founded by the profound Confucius, stresses social harmony, proper behavior, and moral virtues within a structured society.
Ritual and Duty vs. Spontaneity and Non-Action: While Confucius valued rituals, duties, and active engagement in society, Lao Tzu’s teachings encourage spontaneity, simplicity of life, and Wu Wei or non-action.
Advaita Vedanta
Oneness and Unity: Advaita Vedanta is a school of Hindu philosophy that teaches about the identities of an individual soul (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) – believed to be one in the same. Advaita Vedanta teaches non-duality – no separation. The Tao Te Ching also points to the fundamental idea that all existence is One – and all is is unified.
Self-Knowledge: Both Advaita Vedanta philosophy as well as Taoism emphasize self-knowledge. In line with this idea, Lao Tzu’s verse “He who knows himself is enlightened” connects to Vedantic thought whereby true freedom emerges when one knows their true nature.
Encouragement And Inspiration
We are invited by the Tao Te Ching to incorporate simplicity, humility, and compassion into our everyday lives. When we align ourselves with these aspects, we can achieve inner peace – and live harmoniously alongside every aspect and soul around us.
Excessive desires, rigid plans, and aggressive pursuits should be dropped, according to Lao Tzu’s teachings, so that we may flow along naturally with the rhythms of the eternal Cosmos and all of reality.
As Lao Tzu suggests, let us all embark on the deepest journey by stepping forward – “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.
Begin by making subtle and small changes, and, over time, you’ll progress according to these ancient teachings – until they become a part of you. Soon, you’ll lead with a calm strength and live in accordance with the true nature of the All That Is.