Tao Te Ching vs. I Ching: Comparing the Foundations of Chinese Philosophy

Taoist Wisdom and I Ching Connections in the Digital Age

31

Now arms, however beautiful, are instruments of evil omen, hateful, it may be said, to all creatures. Therefore they who have the Dao do not like to employ them. The superior man ordinarily considers the left hand the most honorable place, but in time of war the right hand. Those sharp weapons are instruments of evil omen, and not the instruments of the superior man; he uses them only on the compulsion of necessity. Calm and repose are what he prizes; victory (by force of arms) is to him undesirable. To consider this desirable would be to delight in the slaughter of men; and he who delights in the slaughter of men cannot get his will in the kingdom.

Weapons are instruments of ill omen. Advocates for non-war and compassion; even victory should be treated as a funeral.

No.7 Hexagram: 师 No.15 Hexagram: 谦 No.36 Hexagram: 明夷 No.6 Hexagram: 讼 No.29 Hexagram: 坎
32

The Dao, considered as unchanging, has no name. Though its unadorned simplicity be small, the whole world dares not deal with (one embodying it) as a minister. If a feudal prince or the king could keep it, all would spontaneously submit to them. Heaven and earth under its guidance unite together and send down the sweet dew, which, without directions from men, reaches equally everywhere as of its own accord. As soon as it proceeds to action, it has a name. When it once has that name, (men) can know to rest in it. When they know to rest in it, they can be free from all risk of failure and error.

The Dao is eternally nameless. Although simplicity is small, the world cannot enslave it. Emphasizes that order should stop at sufficiency.

No.1 Hexagram: 乾 No.25 Hexagram: 无妄 No.60 Hexagram: 节 No.11 Hexagram: 泰 No.20 Hexagram: 观
33

He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty. He who is satisfied with his lot is rich; he who goes on acting with energy has a firm will. He who does not fail in the requirements of his position, continues long. He who dies and yet does not perish, has longevity.

He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened. Emphasizes inner cultivation, self-mastery, and not losing one's place.

No.30 Hexagram: 离 No.26 Hexagram: 大畜 No.32 Hexagram: 恒 No.41 Hexagram: 损 No.52 Hexagram: 艮
34

All-pervading is the Great Dao! It may be found on the left hand and on the right. All things depend on it for their production, which it gives to them, not one refusing obedience to it. When its work is accomplished, it does not claim the name of having done it. It clothes and nourishes all things, but does not act as their master. It may be named with the smallest things. All things return (to their root and end), and it does not know that it is their master; it may be named with the greatest things. It is because the sage is able to the last not to regard himself as great, that he is able to perfect his greatness.

The Great Dao is all-pervading; it may be found on the left hand and on the right. Praises the Dao's inclusivity: nourishing all things without acting as their lord.

No.2 Hexagram: 坤 No.13 Hexagram: 同人 No.14 Hexagram: 大有 No.57 Hexagram: 巽 No.15 Hexagram: 谦
35

To him who holds in his hands the Great Image (of the invisible Dao), the whole world repairs. Men resort to him, and receive no hurt, but find rest, peace, and the feeling of ease. Music and dainties will make the passing guest stop (for a time). But though the Dao as it comes from the mouth, seems insipid and has no flavor, though it seems not worth being looked at or listened to, the use of it is inexhaustible.

Hold the Great Image and the whole world will come. Describes the mildness of the Dao and its endless utility.

No.11 Hexagram: 泰 No.1 Hexagram: 乾 No.48 Hexagram: 井 No.20 Hexagram: 观 No.5 Hexagram: 需
36

When one is about to take an inspiration, he must first make a (thorough) expiration; when he is about to weaken another, he must first strengthen him; when he is about to overthrow another, he must first have raised him up; when he is about to despoil another, he must first have made gifts to him. This is called 'Subtle Light'. The soft and the weak overcome the hard and the strong. As the fish should not leave the deep (pond), so instruments of profit to the state should not be shown to the people.

What is to be contracted must first be expanded. Explains the logic of things reversing at their limit and the strategy of weakness overcoming strength.

No.24 Hexagram: 复 No.28 Hexagram: 大过 No.12 Hexagram: 否 No.29 Hexagram: 坎 No.57 Hexagram: 巽
37

The Dao in its regular course does nothing (for the sake of doing it), and so there is nothing which it does not do. If princes and kings were able to maintain it, all things would of themselves be transformed by them. If this transformation became to me an object of desire, I would restrain them by the nameless simplicity. Simplicity without a name is free from all external aim. With no desire, at rest and still, all things go right as of their will.

The Dao in its regular course does nothing, yet there is nothing which it does not do. If kings could keep it, all things would transform themselves.

No.25 Hexagram: 无妄 No.52 Hexagram: 艮 No.20 Hexagram: 观 No.11 Hexagram: 泰 No.2 Hexagram: 坤
38

(Those who possessed) the highest virtue were not conscious of its being virtuous, and therefore they had virtue. (Those who possessed) the lower virtue were (so) anxious not to lose its virtue that they had it not. (Those who possessed) the highest virtue were non-active, and had no personal aim in what they did. (Those who possessed) the lower virtue were non-active, and had a personal aim in what they did. (Those who possessed) the highest benevolence were active, and had no personal aim in what they did. (Those who possessed) the highest righteousness were active, and had a personal aim in what they did. (Those who possessed) the highest propriety were active, and when men did not respond to it, they bared their arms and asserted it by force.

Superior virtue is not virtuous, and thus has virtue. Explores the gradual decay from Virtue to Benevolence, Righteousness, and Propriety.

No.1 Hexagram: 乾 No.10 Hexagram: 履 No.12 Hexagram: 否 No.25 Hexagram: 无妄 No.22 Hexagram: 贲
39

The things which from of old have got the One (the Dao) are:—Heaven which by it is bright and pure; Earth which by it is settled and safe; Spirits which by it are efficacious; Valleys which by it are full; All creatures which by it have their birth; Princes and kings who by it are the models of the world. What makes them so is the One. If heaven were not thus pure, it would be in danger of being rent; if earth were not thus settled, it would be in danger of being fissured; if the spirits were not thus efficacious, they would be in danger of ceasing to be...

Heaven obtained the One and became clear; Earth obtained the One and became stable. Advocates for embracing the One and opposes self-admiration.

No.1 Hexagram: 乾 No.2 Hexagram: 坤 No.11 Hexagram: 泰 No.48 Hexagram: 井 No.24 Hexagram: 复