← Home
Tao Te Ching · 64 of 81 · tr. James Legge

Chapter 64

That which is at rest is easily kept hold of; before a thing has given indications of its presence, it is easy to take measures against it; that which is brittle is easily broken; that which is very small is easily dispersed. Action should be taken before a thing has made its appearance; order should be secured before disorder has begun. The tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout; the tower of nine storeys rose from a (small) heap of earth; the journey of a thousand li commenced with a single step. He who acts (with an ulterior purpose) does harm; he who takes hold of a thing (in the same way) loses his hold. The sage does not act (so), and therefore does no harm; he does not lay hold (so), and therefore does not lose his bold. (But) people in their conduct of affairs are constantly ruining them when they are on the eve of success. If they were careful at the end, as (they should be) at the beginning, they would not so ruin them. Therefore the sage desires what (other men) do not desire, and does not prize things difficult to get; he learns what (other men) do not learn, and turns back to what the multitude of men have passed by. Thus he helps the natural development of all things, and does not dare to act (with an ulterior purpose of his own).
Themes
◆Detachment Gelassenheitpraxis

Eckhart's Abgeschiedenheit/Gelassenheit — radical letting-go of will, image, and grasping that opens the soul to God; distinct from inner_silence (quietness) and from material renunciation, and adjacent to Sufi tark and Buddhist non-grasping as a practice rather than a metaphysical claim.

The text advocates not laying hold of things and desiring what others do not desire, reflecting a radical letting-go of will and grasping.

All passages →
◆Unity Of Beingtheology

The doctrine that all existence is ultimately one substance or one divine reality; non-duality as a theological claim.

The sage helps the natural development of all things, implying a harmony with the underlying unity of the Dao rather than separation.

All passages →
◆Wu Weipraxis

Effortless action aligned with the spontaneous flow of the Dao; non-coercive, non-striving conduct that yields results without forcing — the sage acts without acting.

The passage centrally contrasts the sage's non-action ('does not act') with harmful ulterior action, embodying the principle of effortless action.

All passages →
◇Opposites Transcendedanthropology

The dissolution of binary oppositions (male/female, inner/outer, above/below) as a mark of spiritual completion.

[auto] The sage transcends common desires and values, reversing the typical opposition of gain and loss.

All passages →
◇Paradox As Teachingethics

Using apparent contradiction, reversal, or riddle to destabilise ordinary understanding and induce insight.

[auto] The text employs value reversals, such as desiring what others do not desire, to destabilize ordinary understanding.

All passages →
◇Renunciation Of Wealthethics

The spiritual danger of attachment to material possessions; wealth as a spiritual obstacle.

[auto] The sage 'does not prize things difficult to get,' indicating detachment from material acquisition and rarity.

All passages →
◇Return To Sourcesoteriology

The soul's journey back to its divine origin, reversing the fall into matter through stages of purification or illumination.

[auto] The sage 'turns back to what the multitude of men have passed by,' indicating a return to a primal or original state.

All passages →
Related passages · 7 parallels
◆buddhism|The Dhammapada|Chapter XII, Section 1
“p. 45 CHAPTER XII. SELF. 157. If a man hold himself dear, let him watch himself carefully; during one at least out of the three watches a wise man should be watchful. 158. Let each man direct himself first to what is proper, then let him te…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of self-discipline, foresight, and the consequences of one's actions. The Tao Te Ching focuses on the natural development of things and the importance of acting without ulterior motives, while the Dhammapada emphasizes personal responsibility and the difficulty of self-mastery. Both texts advocate for a path of wisdom and self-awareness.
◆christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 1 (part 5)
“' Not that a person should run away from his home, and desert his wife, child, or relatives, commit suicide, or throw away his property, so that he may not be therein corporeally; but he should kill and annihilate his self-will, the will th…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of surrendering the ego or self-will to a higher power or natural order. They advocate for a state of humility and non-action (in Taoism) or divine union (in Christian mysticism) to achieve harmony and understanding.
◆christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 5 (part 10)
“119 The evil spirits are especially inimical to man; but they cannot injure him if his will is directed towards the divine, and if he does not permit himself to be captured by evil desire. No man, except he who is regenerated in the spirit…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of early action and the consequences of desire. The Tao Te Ching advises taking action before problems arise, while the Theosophical passage discusses the dangers of succumbing to evil desires and the importance of directing one's will towards the divine.
◆christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 13 (part 12)
“In the place which formerly was the seat of self-will there is now nothing, and wherever there is nothing there the love of God is solely active." ( Supernatural Life , xxviii.) "A true Christian knows himself to be a servant of God, whose…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of humility, non-attachment, and acting in accordance with a higher will or natural order. They advocate for a mindset that prioritizes spiritual development over material or ego-driven pursuits.
◆renaissance_hermeticism|The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part II (Gli Eroici Furori)|Second Dialoguec
“Therefore in this present time it is proper that noble spirits equipped with truth and enlightened with the Divine intelligence, should arm themselves against dense ignorance by climbing up to the high rock and tower of contemplation.[L] [L…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of taking action before problems arise and the value of focusing on essential things rather than trivial pursuits. They share a mystical insight into the nature of action, preparation, and the significance of the present moment.
◆sufism|The Masnavi, Book I (Rumi)|STORY Vb
“Again, know that self-exertion springs from weakness; Relying on other means is a blot upon perfect trust. Self-exertion is not more noble than trust in God. What is more lovely than committing oneself to God? Many there are who flee fro…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of non-action (wu wei in Taoism, trust in God in Sufism) and the dangers of over-exertion or ulterior motives. They also highlight the value of humility and reliance on a higher power or natural order.
◆western_esoteric|Tertium Organum (P.D. Ouspensky)|Chapter XXII (part 15)
“If it had this likeness, long ago would its smallness have been known. The sage attends to the inner and not to the outer; he puts away the objective and holds to the subjective. The sage occupies himself with inaction, and conveys instru…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of inaction, natural order, and the limitations of human understanding. They share a mystical perspective on the Tao and the nature of reality, highlighting the importance of subjective knowledge and the avoidance of interference.