Tao Te Ching Chapter 33 – 辨德 (道德經 第33章)
Paul PengShare
Tao Te Ching — Chapter 33: Discriminating Between Attributes
道德經 第三十三章 · 辨德 · Lao Tzu · Bilingual Edition with Classical Commentaries
Original Text — 原文
English Translation — James Legge
He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty. He who is satisfied with his lot is rich; he who goes on acting with energy has a firm will.
He who does not fail in the requirements of his position, continues long; he who dies and yet does not perish, has longevity. As explored in Chapter 34, the Dao itself never claims greatness — and so achieves it.
✦ Key Insight
Chapter 33 is one of the most concentrated in the Tao Te Ching — eight lines, eight distinctions. Knowing others is wisdom; knowing oneself is enlightenment. Conquering others requires force; conquering oneself requires true strength. Contentment is wealth; perseverance is will. Not losing one's place brings endurance; dying without perishing is true longevity. This last line points to the Taoist understanding that the person who embodies the Dao continues to live through it even after death.
Classical Commentaries — 古典注释
王弼注 Wang Bi's Commentary
Wang Bi distinguishes between knowing others (wisdom) and knowing oneself (enlightenment). Conquering others requires force, but conquering oneself requires true strength. Being content is wealth, acting with determination is willpower, not losing one's place brings endurance, and dying without perishing is true longevity.
河上公注 Heshang Gong's Commentary
Heshang Gong says knowing others is wisdom, but knowing oneself is enlightenment. Conquering oneself means mastering desire — then none can contend with you. Contentment brings lasting blessings. Guarding one's essence enables longevity.
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.
Read his full story →
