Chapter 25

Nature Tao
1. There was something undefined and complete, coming into existence before Heaven and Earth. How still it was and formless, standing alone, and undergoing no change, reaching everywhere and in no danger (of being exhausted)! It may be regarded as the Mother of all things.

Commentary

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. There is a Being wondrous and complete. Before heaven and earth, it was. How calm it is! How spir itual! 2. Alone it standeth, and it changeth not; around it moveth, and it suffereth not; yet therefore can it be the world's mother. 3. Its name I know not, but its nature I call Reason. 4. Constrained to give a name, I call it the great. The great I call the departing, and the departing I call the beyond. The beyond I call home. 5. The saying goes: "Reason is great, heaven is great, earth is gre...