Heshang Gong Chapter 37 – 為政 (Governing the State)

Heshang Gong Chapter 37 – 為政 (Governing the State)

Paul Peng

Heshang Gong Chapter 37 – 為政 (Governing the State)

老子河上公章句 · 第37章 · Heshang Gong's Commentary on Laozi

📖 Taoist Scripture🖋 Heshang Gong (河上公)🔢 Chapter 37 of 81🌐 English & Chinese

Heshang Gong Chapter 37 - Governing the State - Chinese ink painting

Section 1 — 第1节

Original Chinese

道常無為而無不為。道以無為為常也。侯王若能守之,萬物將自化。言侯王若能守道,萬物將自化效於己也。化而欲作,吾將鸎之以無名之樸。吾,身也。無明之樸,道德也。萬物已化效於己也。復欲作巧偽者,侯王當身鸎抑以道德也。無名之樸,夫亦將無欲。不欲以靜,言侯王鸎抑以道德,民亦將不欲,故當以清靜導化之也。天下將自定。能如是者,天下將自正定也。

The Dao is constant in non-action as its constant nature, yet there is nothing it does not do. If marquises and kings can hold to it, all things would naturally transform and emulate them. When transformation gives rise to desire, I will subdue it with the formless simplicity of the unnamed. "I" refers to the self. The formless simplicity is morality and virtue. All things have already transformed and emulated the self. If there is a desire to create artifice, marquises and kings should personally subdue and pacify with morality and virtue. The formless simplicity, it too will have no desires. With no desire there is tranquility; this means that when marquises and kings subdue with morality and virtue, the people too will have no desires; therefore, they should guide and transform them through clarity and tranquility. The world will then naturally be at peace. Those who can do this, the world will naturally become just and peaceful.


Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

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 →
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