Tao Te Ching Chapter 38 – 論德 (道德經 第38章)
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Tao Te Ching — Chapter 38: About the Attributes of the Dao
道德經 第三十八章 · 論德 · Lao Tzu · Bilingual Edition with Classical Commentaries
Original Text — 原文
English Translation — James Legge
Those who possessed in highest degree the attributes of the Dao did not seek to show them, and therefore they possessed them in fullest measure. Those who possessed them in a lower degree sought how not to lose them, and therefore they did not possess them in fullest measure.
Those who possessed in the highest degree those attributes did nothing with a purpose, and had no need to do anything. Those who possessed them in a lower degree were always doing, and had need to be so doing.
Those who possessed the highest benevolence were always seeking to carry it out, and had no need to be doing so. Those who possessed the highest righteousness were always seeking to carry it out, and had need to be so doing.
Those who possessed the highest sense of propriety were always seeking to show it, and when men did not respond to it, they bared the arm and marched up to them.
Thus it was that when the Dao was lost, its attributes appeared; when its attributes were lost, benevolence appeared; when benevolence was lost, righteousness appeared; and when righteousness was lost, the proprieties appeared.
Now propriety is the attenuated form of leal-heartedness and good faith, and is also the commencement of disorder; swift apprehension is only a flower of the Dao, and is the beginning of stupidity.
Thus it is that the Great man abides by what is solid, and eschews what is flimsy; dwells with the fruit and not with the flower. It is thus that he puts away the one and makes choice of the other.
✦ Key Insight
Chapter 38 opens the second half of the Tao Te Ching with its most systematic treatment of virtue. Highest virtue (shang de 上德) does not know itself as virtue — it simply is. Below it comes benevolence, then righteousness, then propriety. Each step down the hierarchy involves more conscious effort and external display. Propriety, the lowest rung, is the thinning of loyalty and the seed of disorder. The great person chooses substance over appearance, the thick over the thin, the real over the ornamental.
Classical Commentaries — 古典注释
王弼注 Wang Bi's Commentary
Wang Bi provides his most extensive commentary on the hierarchy of virtue: highest virtue is not conscious of itself as virtue. When the Dao was lost, virtue appeared; when virtue was lost, benevolence appeared; then righteousness; then propriety. Propriety is the thinning of loyalty and the beginning of chaos. The great person dwells in the thick (substance) not the thin (appearance).
河上公注 Heshang Gong's Commentary
Heshang Gong explains the hierarchy of virtue in terms of historical rulers: the highest virtue had no need to teach virtue because it simply followed nature. Propriety, with its emphasis on external form, is the beginning of chaos. The great person dwells in substance not appearance.
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 →
