Chapter 12

1. Colour's five hues from th' eyes their sight will take; Music's five notes the ears as deaf can make; The flavours five deprive the mouth of taste; The chariot course, and the wild hunting waste Make mad the mind; and objects rare and strange, Sought for, men's conduct will to evil change.

Commentary

Source: Editorial Summary

This chapter explores cor e themes of the Tao Te Ching, including non-action, harmony with nature, and the power of simplicity.

Philosophical Insight

Source: Paul Carus (1913) - Canon of Reason and Virtue

1. "The five colors [combined] the human eye will blind; The five notes [in one sound] the human ear confound; The five tastes [when they blend] the human mouth offend." 2. "Racing and hunting will human hearts turn mad, Treasures high-prized make human conduct bad." 3. Therefore The holy man attends to the inner and not to the outer. He abandons the latter and chooses the former. Next: 13. Loathing Shame | « Previous: The Canon of Reason and Virtue (Tao te Ching): The Old Ph... Next: The Canon ...