Lao Tzu for Everyone
Students, Scholars
& Seekers
Peter Gilboy, Ph.D.
Line 1 善行者无勶迹
Line 2 善言者无瑕適
Line 3 善數者不以檮策
Line 4 善閉者无關籥
而不可啟也
Line 5 善結者无纆約
而不可解也
Line 6 是以聖人恆善救人
而无棄人
Line 7 物无棄財
Line 8 是胃曳明
Line 9 故善人善人之師
Line 10 不善人善人之齎也
Line 11 不貴其師不愛其齎
唯知乎大眯
Line 12 是胃眇要
LESSON 27
Knowledge
and
Insight
If knowledge were enough, we would all be sages. But knowledge it is not. How often have we known well enough what to do, but still did not do it? And how often have we had all the facts, and yet were still perplexed about which way to go or what we should do.
So, while we each know many things, we may still be what Lao Tzu calls “blind.” That is why well-informed people still make unsound and even stupid choices.
The hall mark of the sage is not knowledge, but insight. The sage has insight into what to do and, just as importantly, when to do it. The sage also has the courage to follow through.
. . . . . .
Click on each line number
for Chinese-English interlinear
& commentary
A master journeyer
leaves no trace.
A master speaker
speaks without a flaw.
A master of numbers
does not need
a tally sheet.
A master guard
may have no door or key,
and yet no one can pass.
A master at
binding things
may have no cord,
and yet no one
can unbind them.
In the same way,
the sage is a master
at helping others,
and does not
deny anyone.
Nor does the sage
dismiss the worth
of anything.
This is called
drawing upon
one's light.
Therefore,
a master is the
teacher of masters
And the one
who is not a master
is a gift to
the master.
If one does not value
their teacher,
or if the teacher does not
cherish their gift,
then although they
may have great knowledge,
they are nevertheless blind.
This is an
essential tenet
of the Way.
. . . . . . .
Tao
the Way