Tao Te Ching Chapter 73 – 任为 (道德经 第73章)
Paul PengShare
Tao Te Ching — Chapter 73: Allowing Men to Take Their Course
道德经 第七十三章 · 任为 · Lao Tzu · Bilingual Edition with Classical Commentaries
Original Text — 原文
English Translation — James Legge
He whose boldness appears in his daring to do wrong is put to death; he whose boldness appears in his not daring lives on. Of these two cases the one appears to be advantageous, and the other to be injurious. But when Heaven’s anger smites a man, who the cause shall truly scan? On this account the sage feels a difficulty as to what to do in the former case.
It is the way of Heaven not to strive, and yet it skilfully overcomes; not to speak, and yet it is skilful in obtaining a reply; does not call, and yet men come to it of themselves. Its demonstrations are quiet, and yet its plans are skilful and effective. As shown in Chapter 68, the virtue of non-contention matches Heaven itself — and Chapter 72 shows that when people no longer fear what they ought to fear, the great dread arrives.
The meshes of the net of Heaven are large; far apart, but letting nothing escape.
✦ Key Insight
Chapter 73 presents two kinds of boldness: the boldness to dare and the boldness not to dare. The first leads to death; the second to life. Yet Heaven’s reasons for what it dislikes are inscrutable — even the sage finds this difficult. The chapter then describes the Way of Heaven in four parallel phrases: overcomes without striving, responds without speaking, attracts without calling, plans without apparent effort. The closing image — Heaven’s net, vast and loose yet losing nothing — is one of the most memorable in the entire text.
Classical Commentaries — 古典注释
王弼注 Wang Bi's Commentary
Wang Bi says the bold in daring meet death; the bold in not daring survive. Heaven dislikes the aggressive for reasons unknown. The Way of Heaven is to overcome without striving, respond without speaking, attract without calling. Heaven’s net is vast — loose but nothing slips through.
河上公注 Heshang Gong's Commentary
Heshang Gong says bold action leads to death; bold inaction preserves life. Heaven does not contend yet overcomes, does not speak yet responds. Heaven’s net is vast and loose but catches everything — good and evil each receive their due.
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 →
