Tao Te Ching Chapter 46 – 倶欲 (道德經 第46章)
Paul PengAktie
Tao Te Ching — Chapter 46: The Moderating of Desire
道德經 第四十六章 · 倶欲 · Lao Tzu · Bilingual Edition with Classical Commentaries
Original Text — 原文
English Translation — James Legge
When the Dao prevails in the world, they send back their swift horses to draw the dung-carts. When the Dao is disregarded in the world, the war-horses breed in the border lands.
There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition; no calamity greater than to be discontented with one’s lot; no fault greater than the wish to be getting. As explored in Chapter 44 on knowing when to stop, the one who knows contentment avoids disgrace and danger.
Therefore the sufficiency of contentment is an enduring and unchanging sufficiency. This principle of purity and stillness as the standard for all under heaven runs through the whole of Lao Tzu’s teaching.
✦ Key Insight
Chapter 46 opens with a vivid image: when the Dao prevails, warhorses are retired to farm work; when the Dao is absent, warhorses breed on the borders. The state of the world’s horses is a mirror of its moral condition. Lao Tzu then states three of his most absolute maxims: no calamity is greater than discontent, no fault greater than craving. The remedy is simple and permanent — the contentment of knowing contentment is always sufficient.
Classical Commentaries — 古典注释
王弼注 Wang Bi's Commentary
Wang Bi says that when the Dao prevails, horses are retired to manure the fields. When the Dao is absent, warhorses breed on the borders. No calamity is greater than discontent, no fault greater than craving. The contentment of knowing contentment is lasting contentment.
河上公注 Heshang Gong's Commentary
Heshang Gong says when the ruler has the Dao, weapons are retired to farm work. When the ruler lacks the Dao, war continues endlessly. No crime is greater than craving, no disaster greater than discontent. Contentment with the true root is lasting contentment.
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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