Tao Te Ching

Chapter 56
[Original text]

The depth of virtue is better than that of a child.Poisonous insects do not sting [1], beasts do not seize [2], birds do not fight [3].The bones are weak and the tendons are soft, but the grip is firm, and the combination of the male and the female is unknown [4], and the essence is perfect.It's all day long but not awkward [5], and it's the best.

Knowing and daily life [6], knowing daily life.Yishengxiang, the heart will become stronger day by day.

Things grow old when they are strong, and they are called immoral, and they have long since been immoral.

【Note】

[1] Sting (shì): Poisonous bees and others use poisonous stings to sting people.

[2] According to: The beast grabs things with its claws.

[3] Strike: Pounce on and catch.

[4] 朘 (zuī): The genitals of a little boy.

[5] 嗄 (shà): dumb.

[6] often: often.This refers to the eternal law.

【Analysis】

A person with profound virtue is like a newborn baby.Even poisonous insects such as bees, ants, snakes and scorpions will not sting him; even ferocious beasts such as tigers and leopards will not claw him; even fierce birds such as eagles and eagles will not pounce on him.Although the baby's muscles and bones are particularly soft, his small fists are clenched very tightly; although he doesn't understand the matter of intercourse between men and women, his genitals stand erect, because his energy is extremely vigorous.Although he cries loudly all day long, his voice is very clear and not hoarse. This is because he has no desires and no actions, and his heart is extremely peaceful and gentle.

If you understand the role of harmony, you will be able to deal with things for a long time; if you know how to follow the laws of nature, you will become more and more wise.What is beneficial to the body is auspicious; once desire manipulates the body, it will be aggressive.Just like if the ruler can understand the quietness and softness, he can follow the laws of nature; and if he can understand and follow the laws of nature, he can achieve sageness.Once you are extravagant and licentious, trying to make the world obey your inner desires, it will inevitably bring ominous consequences to your rule.

Everything in the world will decline when it develops to a very strong level. This is precisely because it does not conform to the law of "Tao".Things that do not conform to the Dao will decline early.

【Explanation by Famous Artists】

Mr. He Shang:
It is also called those who have a deep sense of morality.The gods bless people with virtue, just like parents are to innocent children.Bees and snakes do not sting.A child does not harm things, and things do not harm them.Therefore, in a world of peace, no one is high or low, everyone has a benevolent heart, and thorns will return to their original roots; poisonous insects will not hurt people.Chizi's muscles and bones are weak but his holdings are strong, and his mind is focused but his heart is unwavering.A child who does not know the union of a man and a woman and is angry because of the excess energy is also caused by yin.If the sound of the child's trumpet does not change from morning to evening, it is also due to a lot of harmony.

People can know that the softness of harmony is beneficial to others, and it is common knowledge.People can know the routine, and then they will become more enlightened and mysterious.Xiang, long also.It is said that Yisheng wants to live by himself and grow up day by day.The heart should be single-minded and gentle, and the spirit should be solid, so the shape is soft.On the other hand, if you do something recklessly, the harmony will go in the middle, so the body will become stronger day by day.

When all things grow to the extreme, they wither and grow old, and when they wither and grow old, they will lose their way, and those who don't know the way will die early.

(End of this chapter)