Coleman Rohde

11/12/21

Tao Te Ching Grouping 3

Verse 28

In order to exhibit full understanding of the tides with which everything flows one must

understand both the feminine and the masculine as almost everything is defined by its opposite,

what it is not. This tide coincides with the tao which is deeply connected to the innocence of

youth.

To take pride and yet understand humility. To understand the opposites which compose

the world (yin and yang), is to understand the way of the cosmos and therefore follow the tao to

which it is deeply connected.

An uncarved block of wood can be made into a variety of many useful things. One who is

wise and follows the tao should seek to carve as little as possible on the uncarved block so that it

is functional and yet still full of such potential to become something else if the occasion calls for

it.

Verse 33

If one can empathize with others then one is witty but if one can also empathize with and

realize oneself then they are perceptive. If one controls others then one has might but if one

controls oneself one has a unique internal strength. If one understands one’s own limits one will

be fulfilled. If one carries the will to complete what they start then they carry an unwavering

strength.
 To understand the foundations of the self brings a figurative, and perhaps literal,

“longevity” where one experiences fulfillment. If one demonstrates inventiveness then they will

live on forever in the stories of others.

Verse 35

When one becomes one with the cosmos and their path aligns with the tao, their external

environment fosters them and gives them safety and satisfaction. Once one is following the tao

then others might observe the superficial benefits that one has reaped as a result.

However, those who are inspired to follow the tao through this will find the experience

much deeper and enthralling than those superficialities with which they were once so attracted

to. The song of the Tao, its attractive force, is greater than all other attractions. One simply has to

fall under its influence almost like gravity.

Verse 38

The most moral path, the tao, never advertises itself or offers quick solutions to one's

problems. The lowest moral paths are ones that constantly declare themselves as solutions to

everyone’s problems.

The most moral path, the tao, serves to meet the common needs of a people which are the

most necessary for survival and fortune. The lowest moral paths seek to profit off of the people

often for the benefit of a singular person.

Something which is truly good and follows the tao acts without regard for personal

success. Though, when the needs to fulfill the tao are not being met, one should be sure to

enforce the means of achieving the tao.

 Failing to achieve the highest moral path, the tao, one turns to acts of ‘good’ faith. Failing

to act in ‘good’ faith results in often arbitrary assignment of morals to individual deeds. Failing

to achieve manufactured morality one resorts to the superficial alignment with ethos. With this

lowest moral path of dogma one is subject to a dizzying and changing array of moral values

which are constantly being rebuilt to fit the needs of the worshipped. Natural persons, those who

follow the tao, are not attracted to superficialities but rather the innate reality of things.

Verse 43

Something which is soft can persuade what is solid and seemingly unchanging. The oil

can turn the gear more smoothly. Something which takes the form of some minimum can pierce

that which has minimum space.

Taking action without personal intention for the benefits which one might receive rarely

occurs. Teachers all too often, do nothing but speak and give no room for students to think.

Through these actions the tao is never achieved, because it is never practiced or fulfilled by the

student.