Tao Te Ching Kapitel 78 – 任信
Paul PengAktie
Tao Te King — Kapitel 78: Vertrauen in das Dao
道德经 第七十八章 · 任信 · Laozi · Zweisprachige Ausgabe mit klassischen Kommentaren
Originaltext — 原文
Englische Übersetzung — James Legge
There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing that can take precedence of it — for there is nothing so effectual for which it can be changed. As shown in Chapter 8, the highest good is like water — it benefits all things and does not contend.
Every one in the world knows that the soft overcomes the hard, and the weak the strong, but no one is able to carry it out in practice. As shown in Chapter 77, Heaven’s Way reduces excess and supplements deficiency — the same principle that makes water the supreme overcomer of stone.
Therefore a sage has said: ‘He who accepts his state’s reproach is hailed therefore its altars’ lord; to him who bears men’s direful woes they all the name of King accord.’ Words that are strictly true seem to be paradoxical.
✦ Zentrale Erkenntnis
Kapitel 78 kehrt zum Bild des Wassers zurück – dem weichsten Ding der Welt, doch dem höchsten Überwinder des Härtesten. Jeder kennt dieses Prinzip; niemand wendet es an. Das Kapitel geht dann zu einem politischen Paradoxon über: Der Herrscher, der die Schande seines Staates akzeptiert und seine Kalamitäten trägt, wird zum wahren Souverän. Dies ist die taoistische Umkehrung in ihrer radikalsten Form – derjenige, der am tiefsten hinabsinkt, steigt am höchsten. Die Schlusszeile fasst das ganze Kapitel zusammen: Worte, die streng wahr sind, erscheinen paradox.
Klassische Kommentare — 古典注释
王弼注 Wang Bis Kommentar
Wang Bi says nothing is weaker than water, yet nothing surpasses it in attacking the hard. The weak overcomes the strong, the soft overcomes the hard — everyone knows this but no one acts accordingly. The sage accepts the nation’s disgrace and bears its calamities.
河上公注 Heshang Gongs Kommentar
Heshang Gong says water is the softest thing, yet it overcomes the hardest: carving mountains, grinding metal. The weak overcomes the strong — a tongue outlasts teeth. Everyone knows this but few practice it. The sage who bears the nation’s disgrace becomes its true sovereign.
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 →
