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Chapter of the Week: #59 [Archive]
I think one day I shall translate it, but it will be so faithful to the original as to be unreadable.
Ha!
I first read the TTC in the late 70's and it didn't make a bit of sense to me but I remember that I got a feeling about it, a deep down gut level knowing of some sort, and that's really what it's all about, right?
I'd love to read your translation; I envision few words, more like the Chinese (dare I say, less like this web site!. Ha!)
Comments
Chapter 59
In ruling the people and in serving heaven it is best for a ruler to be sparing.
It is because he is sparing
That he may be said to follow the way from the start;
Following the way from the start he may be said to accumulate an abundance of virtue;
Accumulating an abundance of virtue there is nothing he cannot overcome;
When there is nothing he cannot overcome, no one knows his limit;
He can possess a state;
When he possess the mother of a state
He can then endure.
This is called the way of deep roots and firm stems by which one lives to see many days.
Read commentary previously posted for this chapter.
Literally translated, the first few lines read like this: Ruling men serving heaven not seem thrifty. Adult (sage) uniquely thrifty, therefore early obey. Early obey accumulate heavy integrity. What is different about this, other than just being grammatically awkward?
This wording points to how we often tend to [chref=48]meddle[/chref], poking into other people's affairs rather than face our own forthrightly. We are not thrifty with our own lives, yet, hypocritically, expect others to be thrifty in theirs. An adult, on the other hand, is thrifty with himself, and thus in the end there is nothing he cannot overcome. By being thrifty with our [chref=19]desires[/chref] and expectations, we have a much better change to [chref=64]keep a thing in order before disorder sets in[/chref].
This view reminds me of the aphorism, "If you can make your bed each morning the rest of the day will take care of itself". Meaning of course, if you maintain enough [chref=16]stillness to return[/chref] to the moment at hand, each moment that follows will turn out optimally 'later on'. 'Later on' builds on the here and now, or as chapter 63 puts it, [chref=63]big things must have their beginnings in the small[/chref]. Part of problem is perceptual. By imagining 'later on', we perceptually flee the present and jump to the future, losing both physical and emotional integrity.
In short, following the way from the start is only possible if we return to the start. And what is the start? Here and now,... always here and now. We can only return to the start when our awareness is uniquely thrifty and [chref=14]returns to that which is without substance[/chref]. It [chref=53]is easy[/chref], even as it is [chref=56]mysterious[/chref]. If it is so easy, why is it so difficult? We don't want to let go of what the future promises for what the moment delivers. Why? Because we can almost always imagine a better future than the immediate present - too hot, too cold, too much, too little, etc. - unless, of course, we are relishing sensual pleasure 'now'. Ironically, a 'better future' never really arrives, for when it does we are off longing for an even 'better future'.