The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom: Chapter 46 to Chapter 50
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
Laozi’s Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching), as the earliest philosophical work in China, shines with the light of wisdom and has become a gem in the treasury of human intellect. However, this profound work, with its simple words yet deep meanings, often leaves readers feeling perplexed. For many, understanding the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching) is a gradual journey of exploration.
To bring the wisdom of the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching) closer to more people, I have divided the original content into 81 chapters and created 81 vivid and natural stories. Through a combination of text and illustrations, these stories further showcase the profound and concise ideas within the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching). It is my hope that this approachable method will help readers connect with its teachings on a deeper level.
For example, the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching) states: “The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things and does not compete with them.” This short statement reflects the nature of the Tao and its superior virtue. In the story The Secret of the Stream, a small stream, with its humble and generous attitude, silently nourishes the earth and helps the villagers without complaint. An elder in the village explains that the stream remains quiet because it understands humility and avoids contention. A clever boy learns the wisdom of “non-contention” from the stream and begins to treat others with tolerance, living in harmony with his friends and earning their affection. Ultimately, the entire village, inspired by the stream, understands the truth of “The highest good is like water”: helping others, remaining humble, avoiding conflict, and living a better life.
Each chapter presents a fundamental idea of the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching) through a short story, demonstrating how its principles can be applied in daily life. It is my hope that readers, while savoring the stories, can awaken to the wisdom of the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching) and embark on a meaningful journey of enlightenment.
Modern life is characterized by a fast pace, heavy work pressures, and various anxieties. Through the small stories inspired by the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching), one can gain wisdom, achieve inner peace, and find enduring joy.
Let us illuminate our lives with the light of Taoist virtue through these stories, allowing the natural principles of the Dao(Tao) and traditional philosophy to shine brightly in the glow of our times.
Meng Zhaoliang
Beijing, December 30, 2024
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
Chapter 46: Contentment Brings Happiness, and the World is Free from Worries
Original Text from the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching):
“When the world follows the way,
Horses are used for plowing;
When the world does not follow the way,
Horses are bred for battle.
There is no greater disaster than not knowing contentment,
And no greater fault than wanting to get more.
Therefore, knowing contentment is true contentment,
And one who is always content will have enough.”
1. “When the world follows the way, horses are used for plowing”
Explanation: If everyone follows the rules, living in peace and harmony, horses will only be used for farming tasks, like hauling carts or carrying manure.
Example: Imagine there’s a horse in your backyard, helping to carry things every day, instead of fighting or competing in battles. This shows that everyone is living well and there’s no need for conflict.
2. “When the world does not follow the way, horses are bred for battle.”
Explanation: When there is no moral order or principles in the world, chaos ensues. People no longer live in harmony, and wars break out. Even horses are no longer used for farming but are instead used for battle.
Example: Imagine a large village where everyone is united, with good rules like lining up to buy things, not stealing from others, and taking care of each other. Horses are used to plow the fields and help everyone live well. But one day, no one follows these rules anymore. People start fighting to grab more things, trust is lost, and the crops are no longer grown. To protect themselves, everyone turns their horses into warhorses for battle, and the village falls into chaos. No one is living well anymore.
3. “There is no greater disaster than not knowing contentment.”
Explanation: The greatest disaster is not knowing contentment and always wanting more.
Example: For example, you already have plenty of delicious snacks, but you still want to take the cake from someone else’s plate. As a result, two people argue, and the cake falls on the floor. Everyone is unhappy.
4. “And no greater fault than wanting to get more.”
Explanation: The greatest mistake is always wanting to get more.
Example: You already have two toy cars, but you want to buy another one. In the end, you spend so much money on toys that your mom says she can’t buy you snacks anymore, and you’re even more upset.
5. “Therefore, knowing contentment is true contentment, and one who is always content will have enough.”
Explanation: If you know contentment, you will feel that you are always abundant and happy.
Example: If you have a toy car that you love and you appreciate it, thinking it’s the best, you won’t always want to buy more. This way, you’ll be happy every day.
Short Story: The Two Village Adventures of Little Pony
Once upon a time, on a beautiful grassland, there was a little pony named Xingxing. Xingxing heard that there were two villages on the grassland: one called Harvest Village and the other called Chaos Village. Xingxing was very curious and decided to visit these villages to see what was different about them.
The Story of Harvest Village
Xingxing first arrived at Harvest Village. The people in the village lived in harmony, using horses to plow the fields and haul manure, helping the crops grow tall and strong. Everyone worked hard every day, but they were all happy.
The villagers said, “We only need enough to eat and use; we don’t need more, so we are content.” Xingxing felt that life in Harvest Village was peaceful and warm.
The Story of Chaos Village
Next, Xingxing went to Chaos Village. The village was in turmoil; people were grabbing things from each other and arguing constantly. The villagers had armored horses for battle because they always felt they didn’t have enough and wanted more.
Xingxing was scared when it saw this and thought, “Why can’t everyone be like the people of Harvest Village and just be satisfied with enough?”
Xingxing’s Decision
After leaving Chaos Village, Xingxing returned to the grassland and told the other horses, “I understand now. When people are content, life is peaceful and beautiful like in Harvest Village. But when people are never satisfied and always want more, life becomes hard, like in Chaos Village.”
From that day on, Xingxing decided to help those who needed it, only doing what it could and not pursuing too much. Xingxing lived a happy and easy life, and the other horses thought it was very wise.
Moral
This story teaches us: when everyone is content, the world will be peaceful and stable. But when people are dissatisfied and always want more, it leads to conflict and chaos. Therefore, learning to be content with what you have is the greatest happiness!
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
Chapter 47: Knowing the World Without Traveling
Original Text from the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching):
“Without leaving the house, one can know the world;
Without peeking through the window,
One can see the Way of Heaven.
The further one goes, the less one knows.
Therefore, the sage knows without traveling, names without seeing, and accomplishes without doing.”
1. “Without leaving the house, one can know the world.”
Explanation: You can understand the world outside without leaving your house.
Example: Xiao Ming loves reading. Though he has never been to the ocean, through books and videos, he knows about the large whales, glowing jellyfish, and colorful coral reefs in the sea. Even though he hasn’t seen them with his own eyes, he has learned the secrets of the ocean.
2. “Without peeking through the window, one can see the Way of Heaven”
Explanation: You don’t need to peek through the window to understand the laws of nature.
Example: Xiao Li observed several seeds. From their sprouting, leafing, and flowering, she understood that plants need sunlight and water to grow. This is the law of nature. She didn’t need to stare at the trees outside the window to understand the “Way of Heaven.”
3. “The further one goes, the less one knows.”
Explanation: The farther you go, the less you actually know, because you only see the surface and don’t understand the essence.
Example: Xiao Qiang visited the zoo and saw many animals. He thought he understood all the animals, but in reality, he only knew what they looked like, not what they eat or how they live. Therefore, traveling far doesn’t necessarily mean you learn a lot; the key is to learn with intention.
4. “Therefore, the sage knows without traveling, names without seeing, and accomplishes without doing.”
Explanation: The sage understands things without having to do them personally; they are respected without seeking fame; they accomplish things effortlessly without deliberate striving.
Example: Grandpa has been farming for many years. He taught Xiao Ming how to grow vegetables: don’t water them indiscriminately every day, but observe the weather and seize the right time. Xiao Ming followed Grandpa’s advice, and the vegetables grew well. This shows that the sage’s wisdom comes from experience and observation, not from blind action.
Small Story: The Magical House of Xiao Mi
In a quiet little village, there was a little girl named Xiao Mi. Xiao Mi loved to observe and think. Her family often said, “Xiao Mi, why don’t you go out and play? If you stay home all day, won’t you miss out on everything?” But Xiao Mi just smiled and said, “Actually, I can learn everything right here.”
Not leaving the house, knowing the world.
One day, Xiao Mi overheard the villagers talking about the distant desert. They said, “It’s very hot in the desert, with strong winds, and many people get lost.” Xiao Mi had never been to the desert, but she opened the map at home, studied the desert terrain, and learned from books why camels can travel long distances in the desert. The villagers were amazed when she explained it to them.
Not peeking through the window, understanding the laws of nature.
Xiao Mi also loved to observe the plants at home. She noticed that whenever the sun shone on the flower pot by the window, the plant’s leaves always grew toward the sunlight. Xiao Mi understood that plants need sunlight to grow better. This is a law of nature, and she didn’t need to go outside the window to learn it; she could learn a lot just by observing.
The farther you go, the less you know.
There was a friend named Da Zhuang who loved to run around and visit different places. One time, he ran far to see a strange big tree. When he returned to the village, he told everyone, “That tree is very strange, the bark is cracked.” Xiao Mi looked it up in a book and found that it was because the area was too dry, causing the bark to crack. Da Zhuang had seen the tree but didn’t understand the cause, while Xiao Mi hadn’t gone there but had learned more.
Not acting but knowing, not seeing but being named, not striving but succeeding.
The villagers began to ask Xiao Mi for advice, such as how to grow crops or when to harvest. Xiao Mi always gave excellent suggestions through her books and observations. The villagers admired her and said, “Xiao Mi is so smart! She doesn’t need to run around, and she still knows so much.”
Enlightenment
Xiao Mi tells everyone, “Actually, as long as we observe and learn carefully, we don’t have to travel far or see many places. By quieting down and using our minds to think, we can discover many important truths.”
Do you think Xiao Mi is amazing? Actually, anyone can be like Xiao Mi. You don’t have to always go out. Just observe carefully and think deeply, and you’ll understand many interesting things!
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
Chapter 48: Achieving the World Through Non-Action
Original Text from the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching):
“To learn, one increases day by day.
To follow the Way, one decreases day by day.
By decreasing and further decreasing, one reaches the state of non-action.
With non-action, nothing is left undone.
To take over the world, one must always act without interference.
When one acts with interference, they are not able to take over the world.”
1. “To learn, one increases day by day”
Explanation: The process of learning is about increasing knowledge every day.
Example: Xiao Ming loves learning new things. Every day, he learns a new skill, like origami, drawing, or solving math problems. His mind is filled with various knowledge, like a little library.
2. “To follow the Way, one decreases day by day.”
Explanation: The process of cultivating the Way is about decreasing unnecessary things each day, making the heart simpler.
Example: Xiao Li used to meddle in other people’s affairs, causing a lot of trouble. Later, her grandmother told her, “Don’t waste your energy on unimportant things.” Xiao Li started reducing unnecessary tasks each day, and her mood became more peaceful.
3. “By decreasing and further decreasing, one reaches the state of non-action.”
Explanation: Keep reducing until reaching the state of “non-action,” which means going with the flow of nature and not over-interfering.
Example: Xiao Gang took care of a potted plant. At first, he watered and fertilized it every day, but the plant almost died. Later, he started watering only when needed, and the plant grew better. He realized that sometimes doing less works better.
4. “With non-action, nothing is left undone.”
Explanation: Do not force things, but everything will be accomplished smoothly.
Example: Xiao Lan’s mom is excellent at cooking, but she never forces herself to manipulate the ingredients. She simply uses straightforward methods, and the dishes always taste great. Xiao Lan asked, “Why do you do it so well?” Her mom said, “Because I do it just right, not too much, not too little.”
5. “To take over the world, one must always act without interference.”
Explanation: To govern the world, one usually relies on following nature and not intervening excessively.
Example: The class teacher lets the students manage the class by themselves, only offering occasional reminders. The class runs smoothly. Everyone says, “The teacher lets us handle ourselves, and that’s why the class is so great.”
6. “When one acts with interference, they are not able to take over the world.”
Explanation: If you intervene too much, it will have the opposite effect and lead to failure.
Example: In another class, the teacher controls everything, giving students many requirements every day. As a result, the students feel pressured and perform worse instead.
Little Story: The Two Gardeners’ Gardens
Once upon a time, there were two gardeners, Xiao Qing and Xiao Ming, each with a large garden. The gardens were filled with all kinds of plants, from colorful flowers to lush vegetables. Both wanted to make their gardens the best, but their approaches were very different.
Xiao Qing’s “Increasing Every Day” Method
Xiao Qing believed that to improve her garden, she needed to add more things every day.
- On the first day, she added a lot of fertilizer to the garden.
- On the second day, she watered the plants a lot.
- On the third day, she bought several kinds of pesticides and sprayed them on the flowers to prevent pests.
As a result, her garden started to have problems. The flowers were damaged by too much water, the leaves turned yellow, and the soil became hard from too much fertilizer. The flowers even began to wilt. Xiao Qing was upset, not understanding why all her efforts had made the garden worse.
Xiao Ming’s “Decreasing Every Day” Method
Xiao Ming thought, “The garden is a natural creation, and it may not need more things, but simpler methods.”
- On the first day, he only pulled out a few weeds.
- On the second day, he noticed the soil was a bit dry, so he watered it just a little.
- On the third day, he saw there were no pests, so he did nothing and just quietly watched the garden grow.
Gradually, Xiao Ming’s garden became more and more lush, with the flowers blooming brighter and the vegetables growing bigger and sweeter. Everyone praised Xiao Ming’s garden for its natural beauty.
The Village Chief’s Evaluation
After seeing both gardens, the village chief said, “Xiao Qing did many things every day, but her garden didn’t do well; Xiao Ming, however, followed nature and did only what was necessary, and his garden flourished. This is the principle of ‘non-action but accomplishing everything’: don’t force things, and nature will bring good results.”
Insight
This story teaches us that sometimes we think we need to do a lot of things to achieve success, but in reality, learning to reduce unnecessary actions and follow nature will lead to better results. This is why the “Way” seeks simplicity and balance, not merely the pursuit of more.
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
Chapter 49: The Way of the Sage: Transforming People with Virtue, Embracing the World with Heart
Original Text from the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching):
“The sage has no fixed mind; he takes the people’s mind as his own.
The good, I treat with goodness; the not-so-good, I also treat with goodness, for virtue is good.
The trustworthy, I trust; the untrustworthy, I also trust, for virtue is trust.
The sage is at peace in the world, uniting the hearts of all. (The people pay attention to his words and actions, and the sage sees them as children.)”
1. “The sage has no fixed mind; he takes the people’s mind as his own.”
Explanation: The sage doesn’t have fixed ideas or biases. Instead, they understand and care for each person by seeing things from their perspective.
Examples:
- The teacher treats all students equally, whether they are high achievers or average students.
- The sage is like a kind teacher, looking at problems from everyone’s point of view.
2. “The good, I treat with goodness; the not-so-good, I also treat with goodness, for virtue is good.”
Explanation: The sage treats kind people with kindness. Even those who aren’t kind, he treats with kindness, showing that goodness should be extended to all.
Examples:
- If someone is kind to you, it’s normal to treat them kindly in return.
- But if someone is unkind to you, still treating them with kindness is like bringing warm sunlight to someone in the cold — this is greater goodness.
3. “The trustworthy, I trust; the untrustworthy, I also trust, for virtue is trust.”
Explanation: The sage trusts those who are honest. Even those who aren’t trustworthy, the sage is willing to trust them and uses sincerity to inspire them.
Examples:
- You lend your toy to a friend, and some friends return it, so you naturally trust them.
- But even if some friends haven’t returned toys in the past, you’re willing to trust them again, hoping they will keep their promise this time.
4. “The sage is at peace in the world, uniting the hearts of all.”
Explanation: The sage is humble, low-key, and tolerant, not competitive, helping to calm everyone’s hearts, making them peaceful like still water.
Examples:
- The class leader is never proud or noisy, always patiently helping others. Everyone feels comfortable being around them.
- The sage is like this class leader, whose calm and tolerance make everyone peaceful and calm.
5. “The people pay attention to his words and actions, and the sage sees them as children.”
Explanation: People are always observing the sage’s words and actions, but the sage treats everyone with the care and love they would give a child, with sincerity.
Examples:
- Parents know you sometimes make mistakes, but they don’t scold you; instead, they patiently guide you, like comforting a child, helping you improve over time.
- The sage is like this, embracing people’s mistakes and treating everyone with love and patience.
Short Story: The Village Chief’s Secret
In a beautiful little village, there was a very special village chief whom everyone called “Old Chief.” The chief was old, his hair had turned white, but he was always gentle. No matter who it was, he was always willing to listen and help.
The good, I treat with goodness; the not-so-good, I also treat with goodness.
One day, two children came to the village, Xiao Le and Xiao Hu. Xiao Le was a very well-behaved child who always helped clean the yard, and everyone liked him; while Xiao Hu was a bit mischievous, often making a mess of things in the village, and no one wanted to pay attention to him.
The Old Chief saw Xiao Hu’s mischief and didn’t scold him. Instead, he patiently asked, “Xiao Hu, do you want someone to play with?” Xiao Hu lowered his head and said, “Yes, but no one wants to play with me.”
The Old Chief smiled and said, “Then come help me plant flowers, and I will teach you.” Slowly, Xiao Hu became more sensible, and everyone started to like him.
The trustworthy, I trust; the untrustworthy, I also trust, for virtue is trust.
Once, an important tool was lost in the village. Everyone suspected the newcomer, Xiao Liang, had taken it, and they discussed sending him away. The Old Chief said, “Let’s not rush to suspect Xiao Liang. Maybe it’s not as simple as it seems.”
The Chief found Xiao Liang and patiently spoke with him. Xiao Liang gratefully said, “Thank you for believing in me, Chief. I didn’t take it, and I found it in the grass at the village entrance!” Everyone felt ashamed and admired how the Chief could see through people’s hearts.
The sage is at peace in the world, uniting the hearts of all.
The Old Chief was busy every day in the village. He listened to everyone’s worries and cared about everyone’s lives. He was never biased, nor did he force anyone, and everyone was willing to listen to his advice.
Once, there was a big argument in the village over an unfair land division. The Chief said, “Let’s leave this land for the village’s big tree. Everyone can sit under it to cool off, and no one will be at a disadvantage.” The villagers felt that the Chief always thought about everyone, without favoritism.
The sage treats everyone like children.
The children of the village loved the Old Chief the most. He never shouted at them but always spoke to them gently. He would say, “Each of you is pure, like the rising sun. As long as you’re patiently taught, you’ll always become better.”
Enlightenment
The Old Chief’s secret was that no matter whether others were good or bad, he was always willing to treat everyone with a kind heart. He believed that everyone had the potential to change, even the mischievous Xiao Hu or the misunderstood Xiao Liang. As the Chief often said, “Treat others with kindness and view others with trust, and the world will gradually get better.”
Children, like the Chief, show others more trust and kindness, and you may find that people will become better because of your kindness!
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
Chapter 50: Those Who Cultivate Life Well Fear Not the Realm of Life and Death
Original Text from the Dao De Jing(Tao Te Ching):
“Born and enter death.
Thirteen parts live, and thirteen parts die.
The places where life moves into death are also thirteen parts.
Why is this so? Because life itself is abundant.
It is said that those who are good at preserving life never encounter wild oxen or tigers when walking on land, nor do they face weapons when entering the army.
The wild ox has no place to strike with its horns, the tiger has no place to scratch with its claws, and the soldiers have no place for their weapons to land.
Why is this? Because they have no ‘death zones.’”
1. “Born and enter death”
Explanation: From the beginning of life to the end, there are many choices and risks between life and death.
Example: For instance, every day you cross the street. If you’re careful and follow the traffic lights, you can cross safely; but if you run around carelessly, you may face danger. This is the choice between “birth” and “entering death.”
2. “Thirteen parts live, and thirteen parts die.”
Explanation: Three out of ten live well, while three out of ten die due to their own carelessness or dangers.
Example: Xiao Ming and Xiao Li went hiking. Xiao Li carried enough water, followed the safe trail, and made it to the top. Meanwhile, Xiao Ming found the rules troublesome and took a dangerous shortcut, resulting in a fall. This shows the consequence of being careless.
3. “The places where life moves into death are also thirteen parts.”
Explanation: Some people, due to greed or not paying attention to self-protection, place themselves in danger.
Example: A child saw others with many toys and wanted to steal them. He was caught and punished. This is an example of greed leading someone to “the place of danger.”
4. “Why is this so? Because life itself is abundant.”
Explanation: Why does this happen? It’s because these people overly pursue their desires and fail to understand moderation.
Example: If someone eats a lot of junk food and doesn’t exercise, their health will deteriorate and they may get sick. This is the consequence of “over-pursuing enjoyment.”
5. “It is said that those who are good at preserving life never encounter wild oxen or tigers when walking on land, nor do they face weapons when entering the army.”
Explanation: It is said that those who are good at self-preservation never encounter wild oxen or tigers on land, nor are they harmed by weapons in battle.
Example: Xiao Gang learns how to cross streets safely and avoid dangers, and has formed good habits, so he has never faced any accidents. On the other hand, those who don’t understand how to protect themselves may get injured in dangerous situations.
6. “The wild ox has no place to strike with its horns, the tiger has no place to scratch with its claws, and the soldiers have no place for their weapons to land.”
Explanation: The wild ox cannot strike them, the tiger cannot scratch them, and weapons have no place to land on them.
Example: Xiao Ming went to the forest and remained quiet, not throwing anything or provoking animals. As a result, the animals posed no threat. However, if he had shouted or thrown stones, the animals might have chased him.
7. “Why is this? Because they have no ‘death zones.’”
Explanation: Why can they avoid danger? It is because they understand how to avoid dangerous places and do not put themselves in a position where death may occur.
Example: A skilled swimmer always checks the depth of the water before diving in, so they never face the risk of drowning. On the other hand, those who jump into the water carelessly may get injured or drown. This shows the importance of “knowing how to protect yourself.”
Short Story: The Adventure of Three Travelers
Once upon a time, there were three travelers — Xiao Qing, Xiao Ming, and Xiao Hui — who decided to cross a dangerous forest. The forest was filled with wild oxen, tigers, and hidden traps. Each of them chose a different way to traverse the forest, and the outcomes were quite different.
Xiao Qing: Reckless and Entering Danger
Xiao Qing loved adventure and thought he was brave enough not to worry about danger. He said, “What’s so scary about the forest? I can get through it quickly!”
He ran into the forest, shouting loudly and throwing stones at fruit hanging from trees. Soon, an angry tiger rushed out of the bushes, causing Xiao Qing to climb up a tree in fear. Although he wasn’t injured, he was hungry and tired and vowed never to be so reckless again.
Xiao Ming: Seeking Convenience, Falling into a Trap
Xiao Ming thought he could take a shortcut through the center of the forest to save time. He ignored the potential dangers along the way and walked straight ahead.
However, not long into his journey, he stepped into a trap set by hunters. Though a villager rescued him, he had injured his leg and had to stop the journey.
Xiao Hui: Cautious and Safe Arrival
Xiao Hui was the clever one. She said, “We need to observe the road conditions in the forest, find the dangerous areas, and figure out where we can pass safely.” She found a map, planned her route carefully, and made sure not to disturb any animals.
When she saw a wild ox, she quietly avoided it; when she heard a tiger’s roar in the distance, she took another path. Calm and composed, she safely crossed the forest.
Enlightenment:
At the end of the trip, Xiao Qing and Xiao Ming asked Xiao Hui, “Why were you able to arrive safely, while we encountered danger?”
Xiao Hui smiled and said, “Because I didn’t rush or recklessly take risks. I observed carefully and chose the safest path. I avoided putting myself in dangerous places.”
This story teaches us that in life, there are many choices: some keep us safe, while others bring danger. If we are greedy or careless, we may find ourselves in trouble. But if we know how to protect ourselves and observe calmly, we can avoid danger and move forward smoothly. Will you, like Xiao Hui, learn to face life in a safe and smart way?
“The Power of the Dao De Jing — 81 Stories to Live a Life of Wisdom”
