Chapter 32

Simplicity Tao

The Tao, considered as unchanging, has no name. Though in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the whole world dares not deal with (one embodying) it as a minister. If a feudal prince or the king could guard and hold it, all would spontaneously submit themselves to him. Heaven and Earth (under its guidance) unite together and send down the sweet dew, which, without the directions of men, reaches equally everywhere as of its own accord. As soon as it proceeds to action, it has a name. When it once has that name, (men) can know to rest in it. When they know to rest in it, they can be free from all risk of failure and error. The relation of the Tao to all the world is like that of the great rivers and seas to the streams from the valleys.

Commentary

THE VIRTUE OF HOLINESS. 1. Reason, in its eternal aspect, is unnamable. 2. Although its simplicity seems insignificant, the whole world does not dare to suppress it. If princes and kings p. 96 could keep it, the ten thousand things would of themselves pay homage. Heaven and earth would unite in dripping sweet dew, and the people with no one to command them would of themselves be righteous. 3. As soon as Reason creates order, it becomes namable. Whenever the namable in its turn acquires existence, one learns to know whe...

Sources: Paul Carus (1913) - Chapter heading; Paul Carus (1913) - Canon of Reason and Virtue