There is no mention of wu wei, or "not doing" in this lesson. But it is here, the clear subtext of this chapter as well as each of the other chapters. ​  

 

     This lesson can best be appreciated when seen as two distinct parts. Lines 1-3 regard the Way of heaven and earth, and then lines 4-6 reveal the sage as being in accord with this Way. This is to wu wei, "not do" of oneself.

​

Click on each line number

 

for Chinese-English interlinear & commentary

​

​ 1.

 

Heaven lasts long.

Earth endures.

 

 

 

2.

The reason they last

long and endure, is

because they do not

live for themselves.

 

​

 

​​​3.

Therefore they

live long.

 

 

 

4.

In the same way, the sage yields

to others and yet finds

himself or herself at the front.

​

 

​​​5.

 

When the sage puts his

or her self aside,

the sage is still there.

​

 

6.

 

Isn't it because the sage

has no personal goals

that the sage can

accomplish these goals?

 

​​​​​​​​​. . . . . . .