Chapter 41

1. Scholars of the highest class, when they hear about the Tao, earnestly carry it into practice. Scholars of the middle class, when they have heard about it, seem now to keep it and now to lose it. Scholars of the lowest class, when they have heard about it, laugh greatly at it. If it were not (thus) laughed at, it would not be fit to be the Tao.

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. SAMENESS IN DIFFERENCE. 1. When a superior scholar hears of Reason he endeavors to practise it. 2 . When an average scholar hears of Reason he will sometimes keep it and sometimes lose it. 3. When an inferior scholar hears of Reason he will greatly ridicule it. Were it not thus ridiculed, it would as Reason be insufficient. 4. Therefore the poet says: 5. "The Reason--enlightened seem dark and black, p. 103 The Reason--advanced seem going back, The Reason--straight-levelled seem rugged and slac...