Chapter 1

1. The best thing is like water. Water benefits all things without dispute.

——Source: Chapter 8 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: The kindest character is like water. Water is the ultimate goodness in heaven and earth, providing nourishment to all things. But he lives under it and does not fight with it.

Understand that water is the source of life. Water here is a metaphor for the personality of a good person. Russian writer Leo Tolstoy wrote in his diary: "A human being should be like water as Lao Tzu said. There is no obstacle, he flows forward; when he encounters a dam, he stops; when there is a gap in the dam, he flows forward again. Go. If the container is square, it becomes a square; if the container is round, it becomes a circle. Therefore, it is more important and stronger than everything else."

　2. It is not self-seeing, so it is clear; If you are not self-righteous, you will be outstanding; if you are not self-defeating, you will be successful; if you are not proud of yourself, you will be strong. The husband does not fight, so no one in the world can fight with him.

——Source: Chapter 22 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation and explanation: By not only seeing yourself, you can understand the world better; by not being self-righteous, you can express yourself better; If you don't boast about yourself, you can achieve great achievements; if you don't be arrogant, you can make progress in the long run; because you don't fight, it's hard for the world to compete with you.

Understanding "non-struggle" is regarded by Taoists as a natural principle of heaven. It is actually a gentleman's art and way of life that uses non-struggle as a means of fighting.

3. The sky is long and the earth is long. The reason why the heaven and the earth can be long and long-lasting is because it does not generate itself, so it can live forever.

——Source: Chapter 7 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: Heaven and earth last forever. The reason why heaven and earth can last forever is because they do not live for themselves, so they can survive for a long time. .

I understand that heaven and earth do not generate themselves, so they can live forever. Laozi uses heaven and earth to embody the character of the Great Dao and reveal it to human society.

4. The wind will last forever, and the rain will last all day.

——Source: Chapter 23 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation and explanation: A violent hurricane does not blow for a whole morning, and a heavy downpour lasts for a whole day.

I understand that Laozi advocates "hoping to speak naturally", that is, giving less instructions is in line with nature. Drifting winds and showers cannot last forever, so: * will not last.

5. The five colors make one blind, the five tones make one deaf, the five tastes make one’s mouth refreshed, the pursuit of hunting in the fields makes one’s heart go crazy, and the rare goods make one’s travels difficult.

——Source: Chapter 12 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: Colors dazzle people, five tones (sonorous) make people deaf, and five flavors make people taste good. Corruption, galloping horses and hunting make people go crazy, and precious possessions make people steal and rob.

Understanding the "five colors", "five tones" and "five flavors" themselves are integral parts of human culture. Laozi does not advocate abstinence, but opposes indulgence.

6. Holding on to gain profit is not as good as what you already had. If you pick it up and sharpen it, you can't keep it forever. The hall is full of gold and jade, and no one can guard it. If you are proud of your wealth, you will suffer the consequences.

——Source: Chapter 9 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: It is better to control how much you have than to stop in moderation. The hammer is sharpened and sharpened, and it cannot remain sharp for a long time. The hall is filled with gold and jade, but it cannot be kept forever. Being rich and arrogant will only bring disaster to oneself.

I understand that Laozi uses fullness and sharpness as metaphors to illustrate that those who are full of gold and jade, wealthy and arrogant will easily bring disasters, and advocates that "the body will retreat after the success is achieved, which is the way of heaven."

7. If it is crooked, it will be complete; if it is wrong, it will be straight; if it is hollow, it will be full; if it is hollow, it will be new; if it is small, it will be gained; if it is too much, it will be confused.

——Source: Chapter 22 of "Tao Te Ching"

Interpretation: When you bend, you can find perfection; when you bend, you can straighten; when you are low, you can fill up; when you are broken, you can become new; Taking less can lead to more, being greedy for more can lead to confusion.

I understand that the above six sentences are ancient idioms. Laozi advocates using dialectical thinking to understand and grasp the changes in social life.

8. Go to the extreme of emptiness, keep quiet, and watch all things come together.

——Source: Chapter 16 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: By reaching the ultimate emptiness of the mind and adhering to the wonderful state of tranquility, you can learn from the changes of all things. See the existence of the avenue.

Only by being in line with nature can we embody the Tao that governs all things. Only by being in line with the Tao can we last forever.

9. See simplicity and be simple, have few selfish desires.

——Source: Chapter 19 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: Keep the essence simple and unpretentious, reduce selfishness and greed (you can be the Tao).

I understand Laozi’s proposition of simplicity and few desires. Silk that is not dyed is plain, wood that is not carved is plain. Seeing plainness and embracing simplicity means: not to be confused by external things and lose its true nature. Lao Tzu advocates that people cannot be without desires, but they must not be greedy, let alone indulge in lust.

10. If you don’t have enough faith, you will have no faith.

——Source: Chapter 23 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: If integrity is insufficient, trust will be lost.

I understand that people cannot stand without trust. If a person does not keep trust, he cannot gain a foothold in society.

Chapter 2

1. The Tao always does nothing, but does nothing.

——Source: Chapter 37 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation and explanation: The Tao always conforms to nature and does nothing, but there is nothing that it does not do.

I feel that this is an important proposition in Laozi’s philosophical thought. Wuwei does not mean doing nothing, Wuwei is the evaluation of the role of Wuwei.

2. Those who stand up cannot stand, those who cross cannot succeed. Those who see themselves are unclear, those who are self-righteous will not manifest themselves, those who cut down on themselves will have no success, and those who are proud of themselves will not grow.

——Source: Chapter 24 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: If you stand on tiptoes, you cannot stand for a long time, and if you stride too long, you cannot travel far. People who think they are knowledgeable do not understand, people who are self-righteous do not distinguish between right and wrong, people who show off to themselves cannot see merit, and people who are arrogant will not make progress.

The sentiment embodies Laozi’s thought of governing by doing nothing. Only by not violating nature and not forcing ourselves to do anything can we achieve our goals.

3. Man follows the earth, earth follows the heaven, heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows nature.

——Source: Chapter 25 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: Man takes the law and the earth, the earth takes the law and the sky, the sky takes the law and the way, and the way is pure and natural.

I understand that this sentence is the outline of Laozi’s theory, which explains the basic relationship between Laozi’s theory of “Tao” and heaven, earth and man. "Tao follows nature" points out that human society and nature must imitate "Tao", and "Tao" only imitates itself.

4. If you lose your roots easily, you will lose your authority if you are impatient.

——Source: Chapter 26 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: If you are hasty, you will lose your roots, and if you are restless, you will lose your dominance.

Reflection on "Laozi's Execution" says: "The emphasis means to be few and self-respect, and the light means to indulge in desires and be light on oneself. Both are used to treat the body. Quiet means to be quiet and do nothing, and impatient means to be anxious for success and good deeds. Both of them are "To govern the country"

5. Things grow old when they are strong.

——Source: Chapter 30 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: When things reach strength, they also tend to age.

I understand that when things reach their extremes, they will inevitably reverse, and when they reach their peak, they will inevitably decline.

6. If you want to hide it, you must hold it open. If the desire is weak, it must be strengthened. If you want to abolish it, you must strengthen it. If you want to seize it, you must hold it firmly.

——Source: Chapter 36 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: To make it shrink, you must first expand it; if you want to weaken it, you must first strengthen it ; If you want to destroy him, let him flourish first; if you want to take him, give him first.

Perception Laozi expounded his dialectical thought through the analysis of four pairs of contradictory movements. He attributed this principle to "the weak prevails over the strong" and believed that fighting and governing the country cannot be separated from this principle.

7. He who knows others is wise, and he who knows himself is wise. He who conquers others is powerful, and he who conquers himself is strong. Those who are content are rich, those who are strong are ambitious.

——Source: Chapter 33 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: Those who can understand others are called wit, and those who can understand themselves are called smart. Being able to defeat others can only show that you have strength, and defeating yourself can be called strong. Those who know how to be satisfied always feel rich, and those who practice it show that they have lofty ambitions.

I feel that this is Laozi’s theory of spiritual cultivation. Understanding yourself, reflecting on yourself, and defeating yourself are the most important things in being a human being. "Those who know themselves are wise" and "those who conquer themselves are strong" are indeed ancient sayings.

8. Generous without corners, late bloomer, great voice, but invisible elephant.

——Source: Chapter 41 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: The most square thing has no edges and corners, and the more expensive the utensils are, the more beautiful they are. Slowly, no sound is heard, no trace of the image.

I understand this sentence and Laozi intends to explain why the existence of "Tao" is difficult for ordinary people to understand. Because the Great Dao has infinite nature, it is difficult for ordinary people to perceive it with their senses. It is a "formless form, the image of all things."

9. The most gentle thing in the world is the strongest thing in the world.

——Source: Chapter 43 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: The softest thing in the world can actually gallop through the hardest thing in the world.

Perception that "the weak is stronger than the strong", this is Laozi's perception of nature, which profoundly reminds the nature of "Tao".

10. If you love too much, you will spend a lot of money; if you hide too much, you will die richly. Being contented will not disgrace you, knowing you will not be disgraced, you will be able to endure for a long time.

——Source: Chapter 44 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: Excessive cherishing of reputation will bring great harm, and excessive accumulation of property will definitely bring harm to oneself. Come misfortune. A contented person will not suffer shame, knows when enough is enough, and will not bring danger to himself, so that he can have long-term peace.

I understand that ordinary people tend to neglect themselves and seek fame and fortune, and are greedy and endanger themselves. "Being contented" and "knowing where to stop" should become a principle that people pursue in their lives.

Chapter 3

1. Rule the country with integrity, use military force with surprise, and conquer the world with nothing.

——Source: Chapter 57 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: Only by governing the country with righteousness, using military force with clever strategies, resting with the people and calming the people's hearts can we submit to the world.

I understand that to govern a country must be upright, to use military force wisely, and to comply with nature, in order to achieve governance without doing anything. This is Lao Tzu's basic strategy on governing the country, using troops, and bringing peace to the world.

2. Seeing small means bright, keeping soft means strong.

——Source: Chapter 52 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: Observing a few subtle things is called enlightenment, and maintaining weakness is called strength.

Those who are capable of realizing something promising should be aware of the situation clearly, and be able to remain soft when dealing with others.

3. If a great achievement is missing, its use will not cause any harm. If there is a big surplus, it will be of endless use. Great straightness is like bending, great skill is like clumsiness, great debate is like indifference.

——Source: Chapter 45 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: The most perfect one always makes people feel that there is something missing, but its function will never fail. Exhaustion. The fullest thing seems empty, and its effects are endless. The most upright ones seem crooked, the most dexterous ones seem clumsy, and the most eloquent ones seem unable to make sense.

I understand that Laozi believes that when things reach a state, their manifestations will return to nature.

4. Misfortunes lie on the back of blessings, and blessings lie on the backs of misfortunes.

——Source: Tao Te Ching 58

Translation explanation: Misfortunes, blessings depend on them, blessings, disasters are hidden in them.

I feel that this is a famous saying of Laozi with dialectical thinking. We must treat misfortunes and blessings correctly, see advantages from disadvantages, and find disadvantages from advantages. Mao Zedong quoted this sentence in "On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People", explaining that "good things can lead to bad results, and bad things can lead to good results."

5. Governing a big country is like cooking small dishes.

——Source: Chapter 60 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: Governing a big country is like cooking a small fish (same principle).

I feel that this is Laozi’s strategy for governing the country. Mao Chuanyun: "If you cook the fish, it will break into pieces; if you treat the people's troubles, they will fall apart. If you know how to cook the fish, you will know how to treat the people."

6. The picture is more difficult than the easy one, because it is greater than the detail.

——Source: Chapter 63 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: To deal with difficult things, we must start from the easy place, and to do big things, we must start from the small things. .

I understand that only by going from easy to difficult and accumulating little can we achieve great things.

7. The difficult things in the world must be done in the easy way; the great things in the world must be done in the details.

——Source: Chapter 63 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: Difficulties in the world must happen from easy things, and great things in the world must start from small things.

I understand that big and difficult things in the world are difficult. If you think big and start small, nothing can't be done. Promising people often accomplish great things by starting from nothing. If you don't do small things, you won't accomplish big things!

8. Treat the problem before it exists, and cure it before it is in chaos.

——Source: Chapter 64 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: Do things before they happen, and deal with disasters before they happen.

I understand that Laozi put forward the perspective of changes and development of things. Things are changing quantitatively, but before a qualitative change occurs, some are still in their infancy, so they must be solved as soon as possible.

9. The tree that hugs each other is born from the smallest grain; the nine-story platform starts from tired soil; a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

——Source: Chapter 64 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: The big tree that hugs each other is grown from young buds, and the nine-story high platform is made from a basket It is accumulated in baskets of soil; a journey of thousands of miles is also made step by step.

Perception reveals the profound truth of quantitative change and qualitative change. Only by starting from reality and accumulating bit by bit can we achieve great things.

10. If you are careful from the beginning to the end, you will never fail.

——Source: Chapter 64 of "Tao Te Ching"

Translation explanation: If you treat the work at the end as seriously as you did at the beginning, then you will do nothing wrong. Successful.

I realize that persistence is the key to doing things. Whoever laughs last, laughs best.