Heshang Gong Chapter 37 – 為政 (Governing the State)
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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
Section 1 — 第1节
Original Chinese
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.
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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