Tao Te Ching Chapter 55 – 玄符 (道德經 第55章)
Paul PengShare
Tao Te Ching — Chapter 55: The Mysterious Charm
道德經 第五十五章 · 玄符 · Lao Tzu · Bilingual Edition with Classical Commentaries
Original Text — 原文
English Translation — James Legge
He who has in himself abundantly the attributes of the Dao is like an infant. Poisonous insects will not sting him; fierce beasts will not seize him; birds of prey will not strike him.
The infant’s bones are weak and its sinews soft, but yet its grasp is firm. It knows not yet the union of male and female, and yet its virile member may be excited — showing the perfection of its physical essence. All day long it will cry without its throat becoming hoarse — showing the harmony in its constitution.
To him by whom this harmony is known, the secret of the unchanging Dao is shown, and in the knowledge wisdom finds its throne. All life-increasing arts to evil turn; where the mind makes the vital breath to burn, false is the strength. As shown in Chapter 50, those who cling too hard to life move toward death — and Chapter 54 shows that true virtue, like the infant, is rooted and cannot be uprooted.
When things have become strong, they then become old, which may be said to be contrary to the Dao. Whatever is contrary to the Dao soon ends.
✦ Key Insight
Chapter 55 uses the infant as the supreme image of abundant virtue. The infant does not seek, does not strive, does not fear — and so nothing harms it. Its bones are soft yet its grip is firm; it cries all day without becoming hoarse. These are signs of perfect essence (jing 精) and perfect harmony (he 和). Knowing harmony is constancy; knowing constancy is wisdom. Forcing growth brings ill omen; letting the mind drive the breath brings false strength. When things reach their peak of strength, they begin to age — this is contrary to the Dao, and what is contrary to the Dao soon ends.
Classical Commentaries — 古典注释
王弼注 Wang Bi's Commentary
Wang Bi compares abundant virtue to an infant: poisonous insects do not sting, fierce beasts do not attack. The infant’s bones are soft yet its grip is firm, it cries all day without hoarseness — this is perfect harmony. Knowing harmony is constancy; knowing constancy is wisdom. Forcing growth brings ill omen.
河上公注 Heshang Gong's Commentary
Heshang Gong says abundant virtue is protected by the spirits like a parent protects an infant. The infant’s grip is firm because its mind does not waver; its cry is sustained because its harmony is abundant. Forcing growth brings aging — what contradicts the Dao soon dies.
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 →
