Chapter 7

Heaven is long-enduring and earth continues long. The reason why heaven and earth are able to endure and continue thus long is because they do not live of, or for, themselves. This is how they are able to continue and endure. Therefore the sage puts his own person last, and yet it is found in the foremost place; he treats his person as if it were foreign to him, and yet that person is preserved. Is it not because he has no personal and private ends, that therefore such ends are realised?

Commentary

Commentary

DIMMING RADIANCE. 1. Heaven endures and earth is lasting. And why can heaven and earth endure and be la sting? Because they do not live for themselves. On that account can they endure. 2. Therefore The holy man puts his person behind and his person comes to the front. He surrenders his person and his person is preserved. Is it not because he seeks not his own? For that reason he can accomplish his own. Next: 8. Easy By Nature | « Previous: The Canon of Reason and Virtue (Tao te Ching): The Old Ph... Next: The Cano...