Chapter 46

Simplicity

When the Tao prevails in the world, they send back their swift horses to (draw) the dung-carts. When the Tao is disregarded in the world, the war-horses breed in the border lands. There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition; no calamity greater than to be discontented with one's lot; no fault greater than the wish to be getting. Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is an enduring and unchanging sufficiency.

Commentary

MODERATION OF DESIRE. 1. When the world possesses Reason, race horses are reserved for hauling dung. W hen the world is without Reason, war horses are bred in the common. 2. No greater sin than yielding to desire. No greater misery than discontent. No greater calamity than greed. 3. Therefore, he who knows content's content is always content. Next: 47. Viewing the Distant | « Previous: The Canon of Reason and Virtue (Tao te Ching): The Old Ph... Next: The Canon of Reason and Virtue (Tao te Ching): The Old Ph... »

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