Tao Te Ching Chapter 24 – 苦恩 (道德經 第24章)
Paul PengShare
Tao Te Ching — Chapter 24: Painful Graciousness
道德經 第二十四章 · 苦恩 · Lao Tzu · Bilingual Edition with Classical Commentaries
Original Text — 原文
English Translation — James Legge
He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm; he who stretches his legs does not walk easily. So, he who displays himself does not shine; he who asserts his own views is not distinguished; he who vaunts himself does not find his merit acknowledged; he who is self-conceited has no superiority allowed to him.
Such conditions, viewed from the standpoint of the Dao, are like remnants of food, or a tumour on the body, which all dislike. Hence those who pursue the course of the Dao do not adopt and allow them.
✦ Key Insight
Chapter 24 is the mirror image of Chapter 22. Where Chapter 22 shows what humility gains, Chapter 24 shows what self-promotion loses. Standing on tiptoe, striding wide, displaying oneself, asserting one's views, boasting, self-conceit — all are unstable and short-lived. From the perspective of the Dao, they are like leftover food or a growth on the body: repellent and useless. The person of the Dao does not dwell in such states.
Classical Commentaries — 古典注释
王弼注 Wang Bi's Commentary
Wang Bi warns that standing on tiptoes is unstable, striding wide makes walking difficult. Self-display does not shine, self-assertion is not distinguished, self-boasting earns no merit, self-conceit lasts no time. These are like leftover food or a tumor — all things detest them.
河上公注 Heshang Gong's Commentary
Heshang Gong warns that those who crave power and fame cannot long stand in the Way. Self-praise destroys merit; self-importance prevents growth. People who boast and grab are like those who consume leftover food and grow tumors — all things detest them.
About the Author
Paul Peng
Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.
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