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Tao Te Ching · 72 of 81 · tr. James Legge

Chapter 72

When the people do not fear what they ought to fear, that which is their great dread will come on them. Let them not thoughtlessly indulge themselves in their ordinary life; let them not act as if weary of what that life depends on. It is by avoiding such indulgence that such weariness does not arise. Therefore the sage knows (these things) of himself, but does not parade (his knowledge); loves, but does not (appear to set a) value on, himself. And thus he puts the latter alternative away and makes choice of the former.
Themes
◆Rejection Of Hypocrisyethics

Critique of outward religious observance that lacks inner transformation; form without substance.

The instruction to not parade knowledge or appear to value oneself critiques outward showiness without inner substance.

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◇Paradox As Teachingethics

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

[auto] The passage employs contradictory statements such as knowing but not parading knowledge to convey wisdom.

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◇Self Knowledgesoteriology

The recognition of one's own true divine nature as the primary path to liberation; 'know thyself' as soteriology.

[auto] The text explicitly states that the sage knows these things of himself, emphasizing internal awareness as a path to right action.

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◇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.

[auto] The sage's conduct of avoiding indulgence and not parading knowledge exemplifies effortless action aligned with the Dao.

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Related passages · 1 parallel
◆christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 1 (part 4)
“Let them, therefore, again go out with their will from their wilful ignorance or malignity and enter again into the will of God." ( Menschwerdung , 3, 5.) All this goes to show that it is useless and vain to seek for divine wisdom, meaning…”
Both passages emphasize the importance of self-awareness and avoiding indulgence in worldly desires. They advocate for inner transformation and the recognition of a higher truth within oneself, though they come from different mystical traditions.