Tao Te Ching

Chapter 17
[Original text]

To the imaginary pole, keep quiet [1].

All things work together, and I can observe their repetition [2].

Husbands and things [3], each returns to its root.Returning to the root is called "quietness", and quietness is called "returning to life [4]".Fuming is called "Chang [5]", and Zhichang is called "Ming".I don't know "normal" and act recklessly.

Know the "constant" appearance, the appearance is the public, the public is the whole, the whole is the sky, the sky is the way, the way is long, and the body is not perilous[6].

【Note】

[1] Benedict: extreme, extreme, extreme.

[2] Complex: reincarnation, reciprocating.

[3] Yun Yun: Lush, complex, numerous.

[4] Return to life: Return to the original state.

[5] Often: Normal, regular.This refers to the eternal law of the movement and change of everything.

[6] Almost: Dangerous.

【Analysis】

The mind is empty to the extreme, and the heart is extremely quiet.People should use this mentality to face the changes of all things in the world, so that they can accept and understand "Tao" more easily.

Everything in the world grows vigorously together, and I observe its cyclical law of motion from the development and changes of all things.This kind of law is nothing more than from growth to death, and then from death to growth; from strong to weak, then from weak to strong, and so on, so that life is endless, and a static law is formed in the change.

All things are different, and each follows its original source.Returning to the source is called stillness, as if not in motion, and this stillness is the state of returning to the source.The state of returning to the original may appear as a normal state, which is an eternal law.To be able to understand this eternal law is to be called wise.If you can't understand this law and try to do something wrong, you will bring yourself a major disaster.

After knowing the eternal law, you can usually become generous.Only those with a broad mind can be selfless, and selflessness can take care of the overall situation and rule the world.Only those who dominate the world can conform to the laws of nature, and those who can obey the laws of nature can be regarded as the Tao.Those who really know the true meaning of "Tao" can not be harmed by danger all their lives.

To put it simply, whether it is to understand the philosophy of life or the objective world, the most basic attitudes are "to emptiness", "to be quiet", "to return to the root" and "to return to life".The ontology of Tao is a state of nothingness, or a law of reciprocating motion. It is because of its endless life that it operates without end. If this law is used well, everyone from the individual to the universe will be in harmony. function and exist for a long time.

【Explanation by Famous Artists】

Mr. He Shang:
A person who has attained the Tao should donate his affections and get rid of his desires, and the five internal organs will be quiet, as for the emptiness.Keep quiet and act honestly.

For, students also.All things are born together.In my words, I see that all things return to their roots, and people should pay attention to their roots.

Yun Yun who, Huaye Sheng also.It is said that all things wither and wither, and each turns back to its roots and regenerates.Static that the root also.The root is quiet and weak, and humble, so it will not die again.Those who speak of tranquility are to restore their lives, so that they will not die.Returning orders to keep people from dying is the usual way of Taoism.Knowing what is often done is enlightenment.If you don't know what you usually do, and if you do tricky tricks, you will lose your mind, so it is fierce.

If you can know what you are doing, you will get rid of emotions and forget your desires, and you will be all-encompassing.Tolerant of everything is fair and selfless, and there is nothing wrong with it.If you are just and selfless, you can be the king of the world.The rule of the body is regular and the form is one, and there are thousands of gods, and they are all together.Being able to be a king is to be in harmony with the gods, and to be in harmony with the sky.Virtue and Tiantong are in contract with Tao.A contract with Tao can last for a long time.Able to be a public and a king, connected to the heavens and the Dao, the four are pure, the morality is great, there is no calamity or blame, and it is lost with the heaven and the earth, and it is not in danger.

(End of this chapter)