Chapter 1: The Core Distinction Between Artificial Conduct and Natural Inner Balance
Many people who study ancient natural philosophy tend to cling rigidly to fixed textual interpretations. For thousands of years, countless scholars have left a wide range of analyses, with vastly different viewpoints. The root of this divergence lies in the fact that everyone’s cognitive boundaries and formative environments differ, so their perspectives on how all things operate naturally vary.Every analysis left by earlier thinkers, whether focused on social behavioral norms or inner mental regulation, carries reference value. There is no absolute right or wrong, no hierarchy of superiority. Each interpretation is merely a partial observation of the complete system governing the universe, incapable of capturing its full scope.This text does not present its reasoning as the sole definitive answer. Like all prior researchers, my perspective is bounded by limited understanding. This piece only shares a set of logical observations drawn from watching how events unfold and how human minds shift, intended solely for reference.I will not demand universal agreement with this line of thinking. If you hold contrasting views, you are fully entitled to keep your own opinions, and there is no need to argue back and forth. The eternal laws governing the universe have no fixed form. To insist that one written explanation holds the whole truth runs counter to the core principle of this ancient philosophy: any rule that can be described in words is never the unchanging root of all existence.Those who genuinely study universal patterns focus inward to examine their own mental obsessions, rather than debating the merits of ideas with others externally. Readers whose minds align with this framework will naturally draw insight from these words. Those locked into rigid preconceptions may read through and move on without resonance, and this is perfectly fine. We lay out logical observations objectively only to share personal findings, not to seek praise, nor to dismiss the work of earlier scholars.One critical realization must be clarified: the fundamental forces driving all creation cannot be fully captured by words or speech. The alternation of day and night, the cycle of seasons, the birth and decay of all living things, and the constant shifts of human thought are all outward manifestations of these forces. They have no set shape and are unconfined by language. All books and explanatory texts are just signposts pointing toward these natural laws, and a signpost is not the law itself. The commentaries of past scholars, along with every word here, act as temporary guides. Different guides correspond to different observational angles, with none superior to another.Most people fall into a major mental trap: treating written text as the universal law itself, allowing writing to cage their thinking, and believing they cannot grasp natural order without books. Words exist only to open a window to greater awareness, not to lock thought into rigid boundaries. Text is merely a medium; true natural patterns reside in the world around us and within our own minds, so there is no need to cling obsessively to writing. This article unpacks complete underlying logic, drawing a clear line between artificially created standards of conduct and the balanced states inherent to nature.The most widely circulated version of the text begins with the laws of the cosmos before moving to human behavior. An older unearthed manuscript reverses this order, first exploring human minds and social boundaries before expanding to the foundational forces of the universe. Each reading sequence creates a distinct path of reasoning, and both hold unique value with no clear advantage.The approach that prioritizes human thought first follows a gradual path of understanding: the restrictions and distractions humans encounter earliest come from man-made standards of judgment and internal mental clutter. Only after clearing deliberate performative behavior and the desire to gain external validation can a person move deeper to comprehend universal fundamentals. The cosmos-first structure suits social education, while the human-mind-first framework works better for internal reflection. The two perspectives complement one another.This chapter opens the section focused on human inner states and sets the core tone for the entire philosophical work. Most traditional analyses center on social conduct, while this text explores shifts in obsession and inner mental conditions. These two angles complement each other, each offering only a partial viewpoint with no inherent bias.First, consider behavioral standards created by human society. These acquired definitions of “good conduct” carry obvious limitations. As eras and regions shift, social judgments of right and wrong are continuously revised. Standards widely accepted decades ago no longer apply today; modes of conduct valued in one region appear unnecessary in another. Criteria that shift with environment can never represent unchanging universal balance, and this is the greatest flaw of artificial moral codes.Most people who follow external codes of conduct harbor clear inner obsessions. We can split them into two groups:The first group acts kindly and restrains their behavior to earn positive feedback from others, living entirely within external judgment frameworks. Every action is carefully shaped to project gentleness and compromise, fixated on the socially constructed label of “a virtuous person.” The more effort someone spends maintaining outward standards, the more their genuine natural inner state becomes hidden. Beneath a mild surface lies constant calculation and a hunger for approval. This is conduct built on deliberate performance: chasing outward appearances while losing inner natural equilibrium.By contrast, a mind aligned with natural balance never actively showcases its goodwill, nor constantly reminds itself to “follow moral codes.” A person in this state lives in harmony with universal balance systems, free from cravings for praise or reputation. All actions flow instinctively from inner nature: compassion arises naturally when empathy is needed, and firm resolve emerges when boundaries must be upheld, with no forced disguise or artificial shaping. When the mind lets go of obsession and desire, outward conduct naturally aligns with balanced order. The absence of deliberate contrivance within gives rise to natural benevolence without, and the two support one another to sustain stable equilibrium.Many people seeking inner peace fall into another common misunderstanding: they treat charity and rule-following as tools to reach mental harmony, abiding by standards with strong self-serving motives. They deliberately shape their image through standardized behavior, attempting to force alignment with eternal natural laws through man-made acts. This exchange-oriented, acquisitive mindset creates mental shackles. Even consistent adherence to external codes cannot produce genuine natural balance if the heart remains tangled in utilitarian desire.Once we distinguish natural inner authenticity from performative virtue, this ancient philosophy outlines four tiers of mental state, mapping the full journey from alignment with universal order to growing obsession and gradual separation from balance:The first tier: complete alignment with natural balance, void of all intentional contrivance. Interacting with others and regulating oneself happen spontaneously, with no internal thought of “I must deliberately do this.” Mind and action exist as one, free of fabrication or fixation—the most stable balanced state.The second tier: the mind develops awareness to adjust itself, actively choosing gentleness and goodwill, yet without desires for reward or renown. Benevolence springs purely from internal warmth. Though action is intentional, no selfish motives bind the heart, making this an excellent starting point for anyone sorting out their inner world.The third tier: obsession takes root deep in the mind. All kindness and self-restraint carry clear goals, with the hope of gaining inner progress and moving closer to an ideal state. Powerful internal anticipation disrupts the mind’s original stable operation, creating internal blockages. The harder one chases this ideal, the further they drift from natural balance.The fourth tier: rigid adherence to fixed dogma and formalities, ignoring the natural differences in people’s inner lives, and binding everyone to a single set of standards. When the mind clashes with inflexible rules, bringing mental tension and pressure, instead of adjusting internal thought, people force themselves to comply with rigid external forms. Many people remain trapped in strict regulations for long periods, suffering constant mental strain before abandoning their pursuit of inner peace—this comes from prioritizing outward ritual over inner essence.The line “When people lose touch with universal roots, they rely on artificial virtue; when natural inner goodness fades, they turn to calculated morality; when calculated morality weakens, rigid rituals become the only anchor” traces the full process of the mind drifting away from natural balance:When the heart loses its innate peace, humans turn to external codes of conduct to discipline themselves. When pure inner authenticity vanishes, people fill the void with consciously chosen kindness. When benevolence becomes mixed with weighing gains and losses, conduct is guided solely by self-interested morality. When moral intuition fades entirely, groups can only rely on harsh inflexible rules to maintain superficial order.This reveals the true nature of rigid regulations: rules serve as a backup to compensate for insufficient inner peace and natural goodwill, used only to restrain outward conduct. All behavioral frameworks and mental methods summarized by past thinkers hold reference value, yet they cannot be followed blindly. To rigidly copy external forms while ignoring genuine inner state is to prioritize the trivial over the fundamental, which only pushes people further from natural balance.This chapter concludes with a core guiding principle: anyone studying universal laws and sorting their inner world must abandon fleeting, superficial external forms and root themselves in the unchanging essence of inner balance. Recognize the temporal limitations of man-made standards, release the mental constraints of empty reputations and rigid dogma, stabilize the heart through observing universal patterns, then calmly navigate daily interpersonal interactions and responsibilities. Harmonize inner and outer life simultaneously to preserve the natural peaceful core of the self.Chapter SummaryThis opening chapter of the section on inner states differentiates performative surface virtue from inner authenticity aligned with natural universal laws. All behavioral standards valued in society are bounded by time and region and cannot count as eternal unchanging truths.Interpretations from scholars across generations each hold merit, offering partial observations of natural order; no single explanation can capture the full root of existence. This text only reflects personal observation, carries inherent cognitive limits, and must not...I live by writing, seek peace and blessings修改完成（全部替换为 Son of the Dao 道之子，保留原代码样式、布局、支付链接不变）I live by writing, seek peace and blessings Support My Son of the Dao Translation Work If you enjoy my interpretations of Son of the Dao and ancient natural philosophy, you can support my continuous creation through PayPal. Go to PayPal Donation 说明：此渠道专为海外友人设置。国内有缘朋友如需随缘支持，可查看下方。
Chapter 2: The Formation of Binary Distinction
In the previous chapter, we analyzed the core gap between artificially shaped outward conduct and the natural balanced state of the inner mind. Following the sequence of the ancient manuscript, this chapter continues to unpack the underlying logic of binary cognition. All analysis here is merely personal observation for your reference.Many people who first encounter this ancient natural philosophy only skim the opposing concepts such as beauty and ugliness, good and evil, high and low when reading this chapter. They stop at literal meaning and fail to grasp the core logic of mental adjustment hidden beneath the text. Below is a layered breakdown of the complete line of reasoning.Layer 1: Beauty, ugliness, good and evil have no inherent boundaries; binary judgment stems from subjective human cognitionThe core argument of the original text: When all people collectively define a certain form as beautiful, all differing forms will be labeled ugly; when the public uniformly regards a certain behavior as good, all conflicting conduct will be seen as bad.From an objective perspective, all things in the world form an integrated whole and operate in accordance with their inherent rules, without a fixed, universal measuring standard. Before humans voluntarily divide things into good and bad, beautiful and ugly, all objects simply present their natural forms, with no opposing negative definitions attached.Once a group forms a unified cognitive standard, collective thinking automatically builds a framework of distinction. Anything that fails to fit this framework will be tagged with negative labels by contrast. The negative definitions mentioned in the text do not only refer to malicious acts; they mostly stand for differential judgments generated through comparison. Beauty and ugliness, good and evil are not innate properties of all things—they are binary opposing perceptions jointly constructed by unified group thinking.This can be clearly understood through real-life examples: When a society uniformly praises one appearance as attractive, other looks are easily rejected; when the public exalts altruism as virtuous, self-protective conduct tends to attract criticism. Once a unified judgment standard takes shape, human thought automatically develops a habit of differentiation, selection and evaluation.From the perspective of mental regulation, constant sorting of good and bad is the root of inner anxiety and obsession. Every time we draw lines between superior and inferior in our minds, our thoughts will instinctively chase what we deem "good" and reject what we consider "bad", leaving our minds torn back and forth between two extremes. The inner spiritual state loses its stable calm, making long-term peace of mind impossible. This aligns perfectly with the core logic of the last chapter: a truly steady and natural inner state does not cling to artificially set standards of good and evil, beauty and ugliness. Once you deliberately chase positive labels and resist negative things, your thoughts tilt, falling into an unbalanced state of forced pursuit.Many people fall into a cognitive trap, believing that wholeheartedly pursuing goodness and shunning all negative things is the optimal choice. There is nothing wrong with holding goodwill, yet the key insight this philosophy intends to convey is this: clinging to your own binary standards to measure everything creates perpetual inner imbalance, restrains your thoughts, and pushes you further away from the natural peaceful state of all existence.Layer 2: Interdependence of opposites is an eternal law; two-way balance sustains stabilityThe text then lists six pairs of contrasting relationships: Existence and emptiness generate one another; difficulty and ease define each other; length and shortness reveal themselves through comparison; height and lowness complement one another; tones and sounds harmonize together; priority and sequence follow each other—this is an unchanging eternal law.The word "eternal" holds the core meaning here: all opposing states rely on and set off one another, an unalterable rule governing the operation of all things, unaffected by human subjective preferences. Let us break down each pair one by one:Existence and emptiness co-create each other: If the world were entirely solid with no blank space, the concept of "existence" would never emerge; if everything were void with no tangible substance, the definition of "emptiness" could not exist. The two states of reality and vacancy rely on each other and coexist simultaneously. Applied to human beings, the tangible physical body represents substance, while the flowing surrounding space stands for vacancy. Only the mutual balance of the two enables normal life function.Difficulty and ease define each other: Without obstacles in any task, humans cannot grasp the meaning of simplicity; if every matter is full of twists and turns, people cannot understand ease. Hardship and simplicity act as mutual references, allowing people to grasp appropriate boundaries in handling affairs.Length and shortness rely on comparison: Without length as a reference, the trait of shortness cannot manifest; without shortness for contrast, length loses its basis for definition. The two distinguish their boundaries through mutual presence.Height and lowness complement each other: High ground only stands out against low valleys; vacant lower spaces accentuate elevation. If all things were completely level, there would be no distinction between high and low. High and low forms supplement each other to build balanced structures.Tones and sounds create harmony: A single monotonous noise lacks depth. Sounds of varying pitch and volume match one another to form harmonious rhythms. Silence and audible sound cooperate to create the full spectrum of movement and stillness.Priority and sequence always accompany each other: There can be no "after" without a "before". All things evolve in fixed order; prior and subsequent states are inseparable and eternally paired.These six sets of binary relationships embody two fundamental modes of worldly operation: one state expands outward, the other converges inward. Expansion corresponds to existence, length, height and priority; convergence corresponds to emptiness, shortness, lowness and subsequence. The simultaneous operation and mutual restraint of these two modes allow all things in the world to persist stably over time.Ordinary people instinctively favor one side when facing opposing relationships: they chase tangible substance and reject vacancy, crave ease and fear hardship, strive for high status and refuse low positions. One-sided bias toward any single state directly breaks the natural balanced structure of thought, tilting the mind permanently. This leads to either excessive exhaustion of energy or self-enclosed repression, causing constant mental friction and unrest.The objective laws governing all existence never favor a single extreme, always maintaining coexistence and balance between opposing sides. To achieve inner peace, one must accept the objective reality of binary interdependence, refusing to deliberately pick or favor either extreme, so that thought can remain steady and balanced long-term.Layer 3: Grasp the laws of binary opposition, maintain neutral thinking, act naturally and avoid coercive preachingOnce you understand that beauty and ugliness stem from subjective cognition and opposing things sustain each other through balance, you can comprehend the ideal mindset described later: Those with thorough insight act naturally without forced effort, and influence others through their own steady state rather than coercive verbal preaching.First, acting naturally without forced effort. Many misinterpret this idea as passive inaction, which is completely incorrect. The core of natural action lies in refraining from deliberate contrivance driven by binary judgments of good and bad formed later in life.When ordinary people act, they first sort out pros and cons, gains and losses in their minds. Throughout the process, they crave praise, rewards and positive outcomes. When expectations fail to be met, they grow irritable and dissatisfied—this is forced striving, trapped by tilted thought.Those with clear insight handle matters without pre-set artificial standards of good, evil, gain and loss. They advance along the natural rhythm of events, refusing to demand pre-planned results or cling to external evaluation. Their minds remain neutrally stable at all times; this is what it means to act in accordance with nature.Next, avoiding coercive preaching does not mean refusing all communication. It refers to refusing to bind and restrict others with your own rigid binary judgment standards.Most people constantly promote their personal definitions of good and beauty, forcing a single set of standards onto everyone and attempting to reshape others’ ways of thinking, which only creates ideological conflict. Insightful individuals do not deliberately spread fixed rules to convert others. Instead, they naturally influence those around them through their own calm and stable spiritual state, respecting each person’s unique mode of thought without forcing uniform transformation of others’ perspectives.Four subsequent sentences further elaborate this steady, neutral state of mind: All things grow and evolve of their own accord, without forced manipulation of their starting point; they nurture and complete all beings without clinging to possessive control; they take action yet never grow arrogant over their contributions; once a task reaches completion, they do not cling to labels of merit and fame.All things unfold without forced initiation: All creatures evolve naturally, with no attempt to manipulate their development, nor claim that all changes originate from oneself. The natural developmental rhythm of all things is respected.Nurture without possession: While helping things grow, there is no desire to monopolize or control, no restraint placed on the natural development of people and events.Act without arrogance over merit: Even after expending energy to accomplish something, one does not grow conceited over achievements, nor assume the outside world cannot function without one’s intervention.Complete success without clinging to glory: After a task is fully accomplished, one does not become attached to binary labels such as "successful person", nor trapped within a single self-definition.The concluding line of this chapter forms its core anchor: Precisely because the inner mind does not cling to opposing concepts such as merit, fame, good and evil, high and low, thought will not be pulled off balance by external gains and losses. The inherent calm and stable state innate to human beings will never fade away.When connected with the previous chapter, the logic becomes cohesive: Those with clear insight do not cling to the label of "virtuous". In this chapter, they do not fixate on binary concepts of good and evil, achievement and status. The core logic of the two chapters is fully unified. The fundamental essence is to abandon artificially constructed opposing judgments, release obsessions of grasping, possession and forced pursuit, and return to the natural state of binary balance and neutral equilibrium.Chapter SummaryCountless texts interpret this ancient natural philosophy, each shaped by the author’s personal experience and reflection, all worthy of reference. This chapter breaks down ideas layer by layer in detail solely to help readers grasp the underlying logic of mental adjustment and alignment with universal balancing laws hidden beneath the text, rather than remaining trapped in superficial literal understanding and one-sided comprehension.The essence of organizing one’s inner mind and attaining peace is to continuously dissolve biased binary judgments within thought, accept the objective norm that opposing things rely on each other to exist, reduce subjective evaluation and arbitrary selection, and embrace greater natural tolerance. The inner spiritual state will naturally stabilize and harmonize with the eternal balancing laws of all existence.This section comes to an end. We will continue unpacking the ancient manuscript in the next chapter.修改完成（全部替换为 Son of the Dao 道之子，保留原代码样式、布局、支付链接不变）I live by writing, seek peace and blessings Support My Son of the Dao Translation Work If you enjoy my interpretations of Son of the Dao and ancient natural philosophy, you can support my continuous creation through PayPal. Go to PayPal Donation 说明：此渠道专为海外友人设置。国内有缘朋友如需随缘支持，可查看下方。
Chapter 3: Calming Desires to Return to Inner Neutrality
In the previous two chapters, we analyzed the authentic balanced inner nature and the underlying logic of binary opposing cognition respectively. Following the sequence of the ancient manuscript, this chapter continues to interpret the core ideas of the third passage.Countless scholars have interpreted this text throughout history, and every perspective shaped by personal life experience holds unique reference value. No interpretation stands above the rest, and all deserve careful reflection. The following analysis unfolds based solely on the laws of human cognition and inner balance, offered only for your reference rather than a single definitive answer. You may freely embrace any unique insights you gain from reading.Core meaning of the ancient text: If society does not artificially elevate a single standard for elite excellence, people will avoid endless competition; if rare luxury goods are not overvalued, people will abandon the urge to steal and plunder; if objects that stir excessive craving are kept out of public sight, human minds will remain free of chaos and restlessness.Therefore, those with profound insight guide communities by four balanced principles: clearing restless inner obsessions, satisfying basic bodily survival needs, softening competitive and status-chasing ambitions, and fortifying one’s core spiritual foundation. When people stay free from manipulation by artificial social standards and excessive craving over the long term, those who seek private gain through manipulative scheming will dare not act recklessly, and all of society will naturally settle into harmonious and stable order.Many readers new to this natural philosophy easily misinterpret this chapter as a tool to suppress public thought, fixating only on its superficial meaning of social governance while overlooking its integrated logic for both personal mental regulation and collective peace. We will break down the operating rules of human cognition step by step, supported by classic Western historical stories, to fully clarify the core principle of maintaining inner neutral balance hidden within the text.Layer 1: Artificial uniform benchmarks breed unbalanced obsessions, and collective desire resonance disturbs inner peaceThe three opening lines reveal the root of all social strife, greed and mental unrest: Without glorifying rigid elite standards, people will not compete against one another; without inflating the value of rare possessions, theft will not arise; without displaying temptation-laden objects, human minds will stay untroubled.All human competition, greed and inner unrest stem from artificial universal judgment benchmarks imposed from the outside world. These standards create mass identical obsessive thought patterns. When countless parallel fixations resonate with each other, they form a mental state obsessed with outward pursuit, stripped of inner balance.Glorifying a single elite standard spawns widespread competitive friction. When a society enforces one standardized definition of "excellence" as the only path to status, it imposes a single value yardstick on every person. The public’s collective thinking fixates entirely on the label of "elite", and everyone scrambles to chase fame and public approval, engaging in constant comparison, confrontation and exclusion. Conflicts grow endlessly as all minds anchor to one single metric, tilting thought entirely toward outward gain and destroying inner equilibrium.Ancient Athens launched a single honor promotion system for citizens, framing public speaking skill and city-state merit as the sole criteria for elite status. Only citizens awarded public honors could claim land and priority voting rights. All citizens tied their self-worth to the label of "city-state elite", and many deliberately performed selfless public acts just to win recognition slots. Citizens exposed one another’s selfish motives, fought over public speaking stages, and factional divisions split the city-state, draining its energy through endless debate and conflict. The core issue was not dedication or excellence itself, but the city-state turning elite recognition into the only channel for advancement, creating a universal target of mass pursuit that skewed collective thinking. This perfectly illustrates the principle that glorifying merit sparks competition among the people.Overvaluing rare luxury goods breeds widespread greed and plunder. If society artificially elevates the status of rare treasures and scarce wealth, it creates a hierarchical system that ranks all things as high or low, precious or worthless. When every person’s mind fixates on rare valuables, possessive and covetous impulses take root, driving theft and robbery in pursuit of these goods. Luxury becomes a universal obsession, mass greed spreads, and stable social order collapses.In the late Roman Empire, the imperial court hoarded silk, golden tableware and gemstones imported from the East, constructing opulent palaces exclusively to store these treasures. The entire empire accepted rare luxury goods as the ultimate symbol of power and wealth. Ordinary citizens fixated their thoughts on these valuables, leading to surging theft of noble property and highway robbery of merchant treasure caravans; regional warlords also grew rebellious over the crown’s excessive taxation to fund luxury hoarding. In contrast, the upper class of the early Roman Republic upheld strict frugality, refusing to glorify rare jewels and keeping royal furnishings plain, resulting in almost no theft or plunder driven by material greed among common people. These two contrasting social cultures, one indulgent and one restrained, clearly prove that artificially inflating the value of rare goods spawns countless unbalanced greedy obsessions.Constant display of tempting objects stirs perpetual inner turmoil. Sensory indulgences, titles of fame and extravagant possessions all act as triggers for obsessive desire. When tempting objects are constantly placed on public display, human thought endlessly craves and clings to external pleasures, swinging back and forth between gain and loss, destabilizing the spirit and leaving minds in perpetual chaos.Historical records document how Nero, after ascending the throne, built the lavish Golden House and hosted endless extravagant feasts, displaying gilded furniture, foreign entertainers and unlimited wine to all residents of Rome. Basic food and clothing could satisfy survival needs, yet Nero’s public showcase of extreme luxury layered escalating desire standards. The emperor’s indulgent example spread across the entire empire; officials and citizens overspent their wealth chasing pleasure, mass indebtedness and class division destabilized Rome’s foundational order. By contrast, the wise Emperor Marcus Aurelius curbed his own appetite for luxury early in his reign, refusing to build ornate palaces and limiting public displays of lavish goods. The culture of reckless indulgence faded drastically across government and civilian life, people’s minds grew calm, and turmoil rooted in greed became rare within the empire.These three passages connect directly to the core logic of Chapter 2: Artificially ranking things and people as superior or inferior creates divisive, obsessive thought patterns. Mass resonance of these fixations unbalances both individual minds and entire communities. Objects themselves hold no inherent good or evil—human-made ranking systems alone distort universal inner mental stability.A common question arises: Should outstanding people, precious goods and beautiful things not exist at all? A clear distinction must be drawn: The objects themselves are neutral. The harm originates from artificially glorifying them as universal targets of mass pursuit, which twists collective focus and fuels strife. All things carry equal inherent value; without manufactured objects of public admiration, mass thought will not collectively fixate on a single extreme.Layer 2: Insightful individuals balance inner cognition, maintaining dual stability of emptiness and substance for mind and bodyOnce we understand how external benchmarks disrupt mental equilibrium, we can grasp the core method laid out for self-cultivation and public harmony: clear inner obsessions, satisfy basic sustenance, soften competitive ambition, fortify spiritual foundations. These four principles operate simultaneously as mutually balancing logic and cannot be split or interpreted in isolation.Clearing inner obsessions means purging thoughts of fame, comparison, greed and calculation. When the mind is cluttered with endless desires for external validation, mental space becomes chaotic and thoughts churn nonstop. Clearing inner obsessions means gradually dissolving postnatally formed judgments of good and bad, as well as cravings for external labels, leaving inner spiritual space open and unburdened, free from the chains of fixation.Satisfying basic sustenance means securing the most fundamental survival supplies required for human life. Only plain, unexcessive food and clothing are necessary to sustain existence, with no pursuit of extravagant or superfluous material comfort. Meeting baseline survival needs curbs the expansion of material desire at its source, reducing the growth of greedy thought patterns.Softening competitive ambition refers specifically to moderating postnatally formed obsessions to compete, seize control and stand above others, rather than steady, authentic long-term purpose aligned with natural balance. Reducing the urge to compete for status and compare rank pulls thought back from endless outward pursuit into a state of restraint and peace.Fortifying spiritual foundations means consolidating the core of one’s inner spirit. A stable spiritual core resists sudden shifts of mood triggered by minor external gains, losses or temptations. With a solid inner foundation, the spirit gains a reliable anchor and cannot easily be assimilated or swept away by external cravings.Combined, these four rules form a complete dual balance system: Clear inner obsessions while tending to physical survival needs; soften competitive outward urges while reinforcing one’s internal spiritual core. One principle empties the mind, another fulfills bodily needs; one restrains outward expansion, the other anchors inner stability. This balance prevents one-sided mental tilt and sustains long-term neutral equilibrium—the core practice for self-regulation and guiding others.Emperor Marcus Aurelius of Rome embodied this set of emptiness-substance balance principles perfectly. During Rome’s civil wars, rival generals competed fiercely to display military merit and seize imperial power, yet Marcus never deliberately glorified his own achievements or fought aggressively for authority, which represents softening competitive ambition. His daily food and clothing met only basic survival standards, with no hoarding of jewels or luxurious manors for pleasure, fulfilling the rule of satisfying basic sustenance. He held no obsession with military fame or imperial rank, releasing all fixation on power struggles, clearing his inner obsessions. Years of self-reflection and desire restraint solidified his spiritual core; even amid long wars and rebellions, his inner peace never wavered, fortifying his spiritual foundation.Refusing to indulge outward competitive obsessions and sustaining consistent inner neutrality allowed him to rule a turbulent Roman Empire steadily, fully embodying the balanced path of emptiness, practicality, restraint, and inner grounding.Layer 3: Sustain neutrality free from obsession, abandon manipulative scheming to achieve lasting stabilityThe text continues this balancing logic: Maintain a mind long freed from manipulation by artificial standards and excessive craving. When those who rely on manipulative scheming to profit lose space to operate recklessly, all of society will settle into peaceful order.The phrase "free from obsession and excessive craving" has long been misinterpreted as advocating numb ignorance. Its true meaning, framed through the logic of cognitive balance: "Free from obsession" means releasing rigid man-made rankings of superiority and inferiority, deceptive calculation, and competitive judgment; "free from excessive craving" means letting go of obsessive pursuit of fame, treasure, and titles—not abandoning basic survival necessities for humanity.Holding fast to an authentic inner state untainted by secular benchmarks eliminates skewed, outward-chasing thought patterns. Individuals gain peace of mind, and the collective spiritual atmosphere of society naturally calms.The "scheming people" referenced in the text are those who rely on sophistry, plots, and opportunism to seize fame and private profit. Such people carry unbalanced outward-grabbing obsessions in their hearts, and their manipulative tactics disrupt public cognition and breed conflict. When the public no longer celebrates opportunistic trickery, these obsessive thought patterns lose fertile ground for resonance, and cunning schemers dare not plot recklessly for personal gain.When all people release outward competitive obsessions, cease chasing empty fame, abandon greedy material pursuit, and reject manipulative plotting, they abide by their balanced inner state in harmony with natural order. Every individual’s spirit stabilizes, personal peace prevails, and collective order grows gentle, naturally achieving universal stability.After Julius Caesar conquered Gaul, he abolished the complex hierarchical rankings and exploitative, opportunistic regulations of local tribes, establishing only simple unified survival guidelines. He did not glorify military exploits, hoard rare luxury goods, or incite citizens to chase fame and status. Freed from the constraints of artificial hierarchical standards, local people shed obsessive thoughts of calculation and competition, returning long-term to a balanced state free from excessive craving and deliberate comparison. Those who profited by exploiting loopholes in rules and manipulating words lost an environment to nurture scheming, and dared not stir up unrest. The people of Gaul remained calm, and social stability was maintained without excessive complex decrees, perfectly verifying the principle that when schemers dare not act recklessly, all things find peace.Logical Linkage with Prior ChaptersChapter One discusses releasing the obsessive label of "virtuous character" to preserve authentic inner nature. Chapter Two addresses breaking binary judgments of beauty and ugliness, good and evil, refusing fixation on single-sided evaluation. This chapter extends further: reject artificially constructed public objects of admiration, and dissolve unbalanced thought patterns rooted in competition, greed, and manipulative cunning. The three chapters advance layer by layer, sharing one unified core: strip away postnatally manufactured obsessive thought patterns, and return to the natural neutral, balanced stable state of human cognition.Chapter ConclusionCountless scholarly works interpret this ancient text, and every analytical perspective offers valuable inspiration. This chapter breaks down the text’s logic step by step, paired with well-known Western historical stories to assist comprehension. Its sole purpose is to help readers grasp the laws of cognitive balance behind the text for personal inner peace and collective stability, rather than limiting understanding to superficial rhetoric about social governance.The essence of self-cultivation and interpersonal conduct lies in continuously clearing obsessive outward-chasing thoughts from the mind, refusing to be manipulated by artificial external benchmarks, balancing the mental impulses of pursuit and restraint, and sustaining a neutral, peaceful core mindset long-term. Only then can one’s inner spirit align with the eternal balancing laws of all existence.This chapter concludes here. We will continue interpreting the ancient manuscript in the next chapter.I live by writing, seek peace and blessings Support My Son of the Dao Translation Work If you enjoy my interpretations of Son of the Dao and ancient natural philosophy, you can support my continuous creation through PayPal. 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Chapter 4: Blending With the World to Return to the Source
Hello everyone, let us continue our train of thought from previous chapters. In the first three chapters, we clarified the authentic inner nature, the opposition of binary judgment, and the balanced mindset of restraining desires in sequence. Following the ancient manuscript, this chapter explores the eternal void of the universal source and the fundamental principle of reconciling inner obsessions.Scholars across generations have left countless interpretations, and every reflection shaped by personal life experience carries unique value with no hierarchy of superiority or inferiority, all worthy of quiet contemplation. The following discussion unfolds around the balance of human minds and universal natural laws, offered merely for reference rather than the sole authoritative truth. Readers may hold onto their unique insights freely.Core Lines of the Ancient TextThe source is hollow and accommodating; its function never leads to fullness. Deep and boundless, it resembles the origin of all existence.Blunt one’s sharp edge, untangle inner chaos, soften one’s radiance, and blend with ordinary mortal life.Clear and invisible, it seems to linger faintly. I know not what gave birth to it; it exists prior to all conceived deities.Many readers easily misinterpret the "void" as meaningless emptiness and see tempering one’s edge and integrating with the mundane as passive withdrawal, only skimming the literal surface. This chapter breaks down the underlying logic of the universal origin and inner harmony layer by layer, paired with well-known Western historical and philosophical cases to fully clarify the eternal nature of the source and the balanced neutrality of the inner self.Layer 1: The eternal void of the source holds all things without depletionThe opening two lines describe the core trait of the universal source: its hollow foundation endlessly sustains all functions yet never overflows. Profound and boundless, it stands as the origin from which every form of existence emerges.The source is an infinite, unrestricted foundational carrier that bears all life, thought and tangible things, birthing endless transformations without ever being filled to capacity. No matter how worldly affairs shift or how complicated human thoughts grow, this boundless void always retains ample space. It never clogs amid abundance nor dries up when things fade away.Human minds function in the opposite way. When we cling desperately to fame, praise and material possessions, layers of obsessions pile up to crowd out inner space, spawning restlessness, contention and greed. The heavier our fixations, the more unbalanced our spirits become, leaving no room for tolerance or reconciliation. Eternal emptiness that never reaches saturation is the core feature sustaining the source’s long-term stability.Western Reference Case: The ancient Greek philosopher Anaximander proposed the theory of the "apeiron", an unbounded primordial substrate from which all elements and living creatures derive, never consumed or filled by the countless things it generates. In contrast, numerous Roman dictators spent their lives expanding territory, hoarding treasures and chasing eternal renown. Their unending cravings stacked layer upon layer, filling their inner selves with possessiveness. They launched endless foreign wars and imposed harsh domestic oppression, ultimately triggering regime collapse. Only an empty inner space permits continuous accommodation; obsessions that crowd the heart inevitably break personal and collective balance, forming a stark contrast.Layer 2: Blunt sharpness, untangle chaos, soften radiance, blend with mortal life — reconcile obsessions to regain balanceThe four phrases "blunt one’s sharp edge, untangle inner chaos, soften one’s radiance, blend with ordinary mortal life" form a complete path to reconcile unbalanced spirits and align with the source, unfolding step by step without omission.Blunt one’s sharp edge: "Sharpness" refers to the aggressive urge to compete, cling stubbornly to personal opinions and place oneself above others, a mindset that readily sparks conflict with those around us. We must restrain outward aggression and release the fixation on winning every dispute to reduce external friction.Western Reference Case: During World War II, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower faced Charles de Gaulle’s strong demands for French national prestige. Instead of publicly refuting him or fighting for dominance, Eisenhower negotiated gently in private, granting symbolic French leadership over the liberation of Paris to blunt the sharp conflict between both sides. Had both sides insisted on asserting their superiority and refused compromise, the Allied coalition would have fractured severely, gravely obstructing wartime progress.Untangle inner chaos: "Chaos" means tangled preoccupations with gain and loss, honor and disgrace, endless cycles of calculation that churn the spirit without rest. We must sort out and dissolve repetitive overthinking to restore clarity and order to our minds.Western Reference Case: Early in his life, American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin was trapped by factional rivalry and obsession with public renown, his heart tangled with endless schemes. In his later years participating in the Constitutional Convention, he let go of fixation on winning debates and mediated conflicts between states without clinging to personal stances. All tangled worries faded away, allowing him to facilitate the adoption of the Constitution with a peaceful mindset and live out his remaining years in stability.Soften one’s radiance: Every person possesses unique strengths and achievements. If we cling to flaunting our advantages and elevating ourselves, we build a sense of superiority that creates division. We ought to refrain from highlighting our own glory, refusing to judge or suppress others by our own standards, and coexist harmoniously with diverse perspectives.Blend with ordinary mortal life: "Dust" symbolizes the plain daily lives and ordinary perspectives of common people. Avoid deliberately acting aloof to separate yourself from the masses; release arrogant feelings of superiority, embrace ordinary folk, and refuse to isolate your true self.Western Reference Case: The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates possessed profound knowledge yet never regarded himself as superior. He wandered the marketplace daily, conversing equally with craftsmen and common townsfolk, listening to ordinary voices without parading his talent, perfectly embodying softened radiance and integration with mundane life. Many rival sophists of his era grew arrogant over their wisdom, looking down on ordinary citizens, unable to share their insights and creating deep divides with the public.Unified logic of the four principles: Temper sharpness to stop external conflict; untangle chaotic thoughts to purify the inner self; soften personal glory to erase estrangement; embrace ordinariness to avoid isolation. Together they reconcile all outward-tilting obsessions, returning the mind to the balanced void state of the universal source.Layer 3: The invisible source exists eternally, preceding all tangible conceptsThe latter half of the text defines the essence of the source: clear and formless, it faintly lingers yet truly exists forever. It cannot be defined by any concrete concept, emerging prior to all conceived deities, tangible objects and human judgment standards, standing as the origin of everything.Many ancient civilizations explained the creation of the world through concrete divine figures, confining thought within rigid singular frameworks and falling into cognitive limitation. This chapter clarifies that the source is not one specific god or physical entity, but an eternal substrate bearing all life and thought.For personal self-cultivation, clinging to labels, divine imagery and hierarchies traps the mind within narrow thinking. Only by recognizing the invisible, void nature of the source, which predates all named forms, can we abandon artificially constructed yardsticks and free our inner nature from rigid cognition.Western Reference Case: Early Greek communities relied on the Olympian gods to explain wind, rain and seasonal changes, defining natural rules through concrete divine images. Meanwhile, Democritus proposed that all tangible things form from void and atoms, breaking free from the framework of divine imagery and pointing out that every physical object originates from boundless empty substrate. Countless later believers fixated on ritual sacrifice and praying to gods for security, spawning countless inner obsessions and disputes, which depart from the void, formless essence that rejects attachment to concrete imagery.Logical Cohesion Across Four ChaptersChapter One: Release the obsession with the label "virtuous" and preserve authentic inner nature.Chapter Two: Dissolve binary divisions of beauty and ugliness, good and evil, refusing fixation on one-sided judgment.Chapter Three: Avoid artificially elevating external models to curb greed and contention.Chapter Four: Temper outward sharpness, untangle inner chaos, abandon arrogance, and return to the void universal source.The four chapters delve inward layer by layer, shifting focus from external judgment and pursuit toward reconciling personal thoughts, finally arriving at the balanced steady state of the universal origin, forming a fully cohesive logical thread.Chapter ConclusionWorks interpreting this chapter each carry unique insight, and every perspective offers inspiration. This chapter sorts out textual logic step by step, supported by classic Western historical and philosophical cases to prevent readers from dismissing the text as a passive retreat doctrine, allowing them to grasp the underlying law of harmonizing the inner self and aligning with the universal source.The core of self-cultivation lies in emulating the source’s void, inclusive nature: temper outward aggressive obsessions, untangle tangled inner worries, refrain from flaunting oneself or separating from ordinary people, and release all rigid concrete cognition. Only then can our inner spirit sustain long-term neutral peace and resonate in harmony with the universal source.This chapter draws to a close. We will continue interpreting the ancient manuscript in the next chapter.I live by writing, seek peace and blessings Support My Son of the Dao Translation Work If you enjoy my interpretations of Son of the Dao and ancient natural philosophy, you can support my continuous creation through PayPal. Go to PayPal Donation 说明：此渠道专为海外友人设置。国内有缘朋友如需随缘支持，可查看下方。
Chapter 5: Let Go of Partiality and Hold the Middle Path
Hello everyone, and welcome to Chapter Five. This chapter focuses on the impartial, balanced nature of heaven, earth and the wise. It uses the metaphor of a bellows to explain the endless, dynamic operation of the universal void, and finally lays out the core principle of self-cultivation and living: endlessly chasing external knowledge dissipates inner stability; only long-term adherence to inner equilibrium is the fundamental way.Countless interpretations of this text have been written through the ages, each bearing unique insights shaped by personal life experience. None ranks higher than another, and all deserve quiet reflection. The following discussion unfolds around universal laws of mental balance and natural operation, not presented as the sole authoritative truth. Readers are free to hold their own independent perspectives.Original Ancient TextHeaven and Earth hold no personal favor; they regard all living things as ritual straw offerings.The wise hold no personal favor; they regard all common people as ritual straw offerings.The space between heaven and earth is just like a bellows: empty yet inexhaustible; the more it moves, the more it produces.Chasing endless external knowledge quickly drains inner stability. Far better to abide by the balanced middle state.Most readers misunderstand this chapter at first glance, misinterpreting "no personal favor" as cold cruelty from heaven and the wise. They only skim the literal surface and fail to grasp the underlying logic that universal laws are entirely fair and free of bias. This chapter breaks down three core layers step by step, supported by well-known Western historical and philosophical stories to fully explain the truth of releasing partiality, maintaining inner emptiness, and adhering to the balanced middle path.Layer 1: Heaven and the wise abandon subjective preference, equally embrace all lives and thoughtsThe opening two lines set the core theme of the chapter. First we clarify the meaning of the "favor" mentioned here: it refers to natural human partiality based on likes and dislikes, closeness and estrangement. Ordinary people instinctively categorize things into beloved and loathed, treating favored things well while dismissing those they dislike. This subjective tilt creates an unbalanced mental state.When Laozi writes "no personal favor", he does not mean cold ruthlessness. Instead, it describes fully releasing biased obsessions rooted in personal likes and dislikes. One avoids artificially ranking all beings and people into high and low tiers, refuses to interfere with the natural development of things based on personal taste, and fully follows the inherent balanced rhythm of all existence.Straw dogs used in ancient rituals are honored during ceremonies yet discarded afterward. Heaven views all creatures, and the wise view all common people, in exactly this way: they do not deliberately nurture one group of life or suppress another. All things naturally rise and fade, all people naturally shift in their thoughts. Heaven and the wise never use personal partiality to forcibly reverse the collective state of all beings.From the logic of balance: once partiality takes root in the heart, mental focus shifts one-sidedly, leading to differential treatment in words and deeds. Heaven bears all existence; if it showed favoritism, it would squeeze the living space of some things and break dual balance. If rulers govern people guided by personal likes, favoring confidants and suppressing dissent, division and conflict will inevitably emerge, throwing the whole social mental atmosphere into imbalance. Only by letting go of partiality can one fairly embrace all people.Western Reference Case: The ancient Greek statesman Aristides, known as "the Just", judged city-state affairs solely by objective merit and law. He never gave special treatment to those who flattered him, nor looked down on people of humble origins. No factional bias existed in government, and the public rarely harbored resentment. In contrast, the Roman tyrant Caligula was completely consumed by private desire. He showered favor on corrupt confidants, seized countless treasures for personal pleasure, and arbitrarily suppressed anyone who opposed him. Society split into hostile factions, and his regime ultimately collapsed. These two contrasting figures clearly prove partiality breeds imbalance, and releasing personal preference aligns with the fair origin of all things.Layer 2: The universe resembles a bellows; the void is its foundation, cycling dynamically to generate endless lifeThe text uses a smelting bellows as a metaphor: all space between heaven and earth works exactly like a bellows. Its interior is empty yet never depleted; the more you draw and push it back and forth, the more airflow it generates. The void acts as the underlying carrier for all worldly operation. All life and thought circulate and evolve within this space, and the void itself never fills up no matter how much change occurs.The human mind functions oppositely. If we continuously stock obsessions with gain, loss, comparison and greed, inner space clogs, easily triggering anxiety and strife. Only by guarding inner emptiness and refusing to pile up biased thoughts can we reserve ample mental capacity, making external ups and downs unable to shake personal stability. The void is not lifeless emptiness, but dynamic balance. Precisely because it holds no fixed obsessions, it can endlessly absorb all external shifts.Western Reference Case: The Roman statesman Cincinnatus was granted absolute military power during a national crisis. After defeating the enemy, he immediately laid down all authority and returned to farming. He never hoarded obsession with fame or power, always retaining a spacious, peaceful inner space, and remained stable amid endless court turmoil. His contemporary Julius Caesar’s heart was filled with obsession for expansion and supreme kingship. His mind choked with desire drove reckless conduct, which eventually led to his assassination. Comparing the two men perfectly illustrates that inner emptiness allows calm adaptation, while a mind crammed with obsession traps a person at every turn.Layer 3: Pursuing external knowledge drains the inner self; abiding by the middle path is the root of all harmonyThe closing lines provide a practical method for inner cultivation: endlessly chasing all kinds of viewpoints and judgment standards quickly depletes inner stability; it is far better to sustain an unbiased, balanced inner state long-term."Chasing endless external knowledge" means unrestrainedly collecting outside opinions and yardsticks of right and wrong, constantly absorbing clashing foreign ideas. When people endlessly pursue external judgment standards, their inner thoughts scatter and waver, and their spirit rapidly sinks into confusion and imbalance. Most schools of thought and arguments from past generations carry one-sided subjective standards; accepting all of them tangles the mind in countless conflicting notions. To "abide by the middle path" is to guard a balanced core mind, leaning to no extreme, unshackled by complicated external viewpoints, and maintaining steady, peaceful mental state permanently.Connecting with the previous two layers: impartiality of heaven represents outer emptiness, the bellows metaphor describes the inner void of all existence, and abiding by the middle path stands for personal mental emptiness. The three ideas advance layer by layer from the cosmic macro level down to individual inner practice.Western Reference Case: Various schools of ancient Greek philosophy each clung to their own set of judgment standards. Scholars traveled widely to debate, each convinced their doctrine held the sole truth. Their minds tangled in conflicting ideas and churned in endless strife. Meanwhile Stoicism advocated abandoning complicated external rhetoric and clinging to the restrained, balanced middle core of the mind. The wise Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius practiced this philosophy all his life. He rejected flashy sophistry and obsessive pursuit of trivial novelties, governing with consistent restrained balance—neither indulging in luxury nor enforcing harshness. The public lived in peace and the realm recovered steadily, a real embodiment of "abiding by the middle path".Unified Logical Thread Across All Five ChaptersChapter One: Release obsession with the label of "virtue", strip away artificial glorification.Chapter Two: Dissolve binary divisions of beauty and ugliness, good and evil, refuse fixation on one-sided judgment.Chapter Three: Avoid setting external goals of pursuit, reduce greed and contention.Chapter Four: Temper personal sharpness and chaotic thoughts, return to the universal void origin.Chapter Five: Let go of subjective partiality, refrain from blind pursuit of external knowledge, and permanently uphold inner equilibrium.Across five chapters, the narrative gradually turns inward, shifting focus from external judgment and craving to polishing an impartial, empty inner mind that adheres to the middle way. The full discussion forms a complete, closed logical loop.Chapter ConclusionWorks interpreting this chapter each carry unique insights, and every perspective brings inspiration. This chapter sorts textual logic layer by layer, paired with well-known Western historical cases to aid understanding. It breaks free from the age-old misreading that heaven is cold and heartless, revealing the underlying balanced laws of casting aside partiality, maintaining inner emptiness, and holding the middle path.The core of self-cultivation and daily conduct lies in emulating heaven’s impartial pattern, reserving empty mental space within, refusing blind pursuit of complicated external knowledge, and sustaining a neutral, peaceful core heart long-term. Only then can one’s inner spirit resonate harmoniously with the eternal balancing laws of all existence.This chapter draws to a close. We will continue interpreting the ancient manuscript in the next chapter.I live by writing, seek peace and blessings Support My Son of the Dao Translation Work If you enjoy my interpretations of Son of the Dao and ancient natural philosophy, you can support my continuous creation through PayPal. Go to PayPal Donation 说明：此渠道专为海外友人设置。国内有缘朋友如需随缘支持，可查看下方。
Chapter 6: The Eternal Valley and the Cosmic Womb
Hello everyone. This chapter centers on the core principle: the valley spirit is eternal, and the cosmic womb stands as the origin of heaven and earth.Countless scholars have composed interpretations of this passage, each bearing unique insights shaped by personal life experience with no ranking of superiority. The following discussion unfolds from a universal philosophical perspective of cosmic generative void and inner inclusive balance, offered merely for reference. Readers may hold their own independent reflections.Original Ancient TextThe valley spirit never fades; this is called the cosmic womb.The gate of the cosmic womb is the root of heaven and earth.Soft and endless, it lingers subtly; drawing from it never exhausts its source.Many readers fall into two extreme interpretations: some treat the valley spirit as a divine deity to worship, others limit their understanding only to physical wellness, failing to grasp the complete logic that uses valleys and maternal creation as metaphors for the universe, extending cosmic laws to inner self-cultivation. This chapter breaks down the underlying law of endless generative emptiness layer by layer, supported by well-known Western philosophical and historical cases for full clarity.Layer 1: The hollow valley forms a cyclic dynamic system; inclusion enables endless vitalityThe phrase "the valley spirit never fades" cannot be reduced merely to mountain ravines. Valleys possess two defining traits: low, hollow terrain naturally gathers all streams and water; internal water, soil and vegetation circulate continuously to nourish all living beings day and night without pause. "Valley" refers only to static spatial form, while "spirit" signifies an autonomous, inexhaustible cyclic system built upon hollow structure. As long as the hollow containing space remains unclogged and unblocked, its generative circulation never ceases — this is the core reason the valley spirit endures eternally.Translated to universal cosmic law, the origin of all existence resembles an infinite giant valley. The void acts as the foundational carrier holding all beings and thoughts. All things rise and fade, yet this inclusive cyclic system remains unchanging, endlessly birthing vitality without ever being filled or drained by tangible obsessions.By contrast, the human mind cluttered with arrogance, fame, gain-loss judgment and prejudice resembles a valley choked solid with sediment. Its hollow containing space vanishes, the internal regulating circulation halts, and the spirit easily grows weary and depleted, losing the capacity for continuous growth.Western Reference Case: Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius ruled with lifelong humility, never flaunting imperial authority or hoarding obsession with power and luxury. He embodied the valley’s low, hollow inclusiveness. Internally, he lightened taxation and embraced demands from all social strata; externally, he avoided aggressive expansion wars. Like an empty valley gathering all streams, stable livelihoods and constructive thought converged steadily, ushering a long peaceful golden age for Rome.In contrast, the tyrant Nero’s heart overflowed with vanity and greed. He built opulent palaces on a massive scale and launched endless foreign campaigns, leaving no hollow buffer space within himself. His internal balancing system became completely clogged, public resentment grew rampant, and the regime rapidly slid into turmoil and decline. These two contrasting inner states clearly prove: abiding by a hollow inclusive cyclic structure grants lasting sustainability; obsessions filling the mind disable its capacity for inner regulation.Layer 2: The cosmic womb as metaphor for generative void; the universe an eternal birthing matrixLaozi writes implicitly, using the universal experience of maternal creation to metaphor the cosmic origin. The "womb" means a deep hollow passage that nurtures life. A maternal space remains soft and empty, capable of continuous new life when following gentle natural rhythms; excessive overdraw and forced exploitation wear its generative function away. This law of "hollow carrier generating existence endlessly" applies not only to living bodies but serves as the fundamental model of the entire universe.Heaven and Earth themselves form an enormous birthing matrix. "The gate of the cosmic womb" is the passage within the primal void from which all life and human cognition emerge. Every creature and conceptual thought grows from this deep, balanced hollow space, hence its title as the root of all heaven and earth.Drawing a parallel between the small human body and the grand universe shares identical core logic: an unclogged void following soft, gradual rhythms endlessly breeds vitality; a mind stuffed with obsession and forced outward pursuit blocks the generative inclusive passage, cutting off its life force. Most observers only fixate on tangible objects and superficial binary labels of good and bad, overlooking the primal void system birthing all things, and therefore miss the chapter’s core meaning.Western Reference Case: Emperor Nerva of Rome ended the harsh authoritarian rule of Domitian, repealing complex oppressive decrees and rejecting empty glorification of military exploits. He returned to a restrained, inclusive mode of governance, equivalent to guarding the generative void gate of the cosmic womb. Suppressed public sentiment and diverse demands found room to ease, people’s livelihoods recovered steadily and society sustained long-term stability.By contrast, numerous expansionist Roman dictators stacked layers of control, plunder and competitive standards, artificially spawning massive divisive conflicts that blocked the neutral generative void channel. Wars and popular uprisings erupted repeatedly, directly violating the natural law of endless void creation. The ancient Greek atomist Democritus proposed a matching philosophical view: void space is the necessary foundation allowing atoms to form and move; without hollow inclusive space, nothing could ever come into being, aligning perfectly with the principle that the void cosmic womb is the root of all existence.Layer 3: Constantly abide by low empty stillness; gentle use never drains the foundationThe closing lines "soft and endless, it lingers subtly; drawing from it never exhausts its source" deliver practical inner practice guidance. "Soft and endless" describes a mild, gradual operating rhythm free of radical overconsumption; "lingers subtly" means the primal origin is formless yet permanently real; "never exhausts" signifies prolonged utilization without depleting one’s core foundation.For personal inner cultivation, this follows the empty cup principle: the more arrogant and self-obsessed a person becomes, the more their mind resembles a cup crammed full of clutter, unable to absorb diverse perspectives and positive energy, trapping cognition within superficial secular judgment of status and gain. Voluntarily temper one’s sharp edge, adopt a humble stance, empty prejudice and greedy obsessions, and replicate the valley’s low hollow inclusive trait. New knowledge and diverse viewpoints naturally flow inward, inner spiritual space expands continuously, and one’s cognitive depth elevates accordingly.To pass through the gate of the cosmic womb is to reach an unbiased void balanced state, breaking free from obsessions with binary division and self-glorification, aligning with the complete eternal generative system of the valley spirit, no longer having one’s inner spirit drained by short-term secular desires.Unified Logical Thread Across All Six ChaptersChapter 1: Release obsession with the label of virtue, strip away artificial glorificationChapter 2: Dissolve binary division of beauty and ugliness, refuse fixation on one-sided judgmentChapter 3: Avoid setting external chasing benchmarks, curb greed and contentionChapter 4: Temper personal sharpness and chaotic thoughts, return to the universal void originChapter 5: Let go of personal likes and dislikes, permanently uphold the balanced middle pathChapter 6: Emulate the valley’s low hollow inclusiveness, guard the generative origin of all thingsAcross six chapters, the narrative gradually turns inward, shifting focus from external pursuit and judgment toward polishing an inner void balanced state, forming a fully cohesive closed logical loop.Chapter ConclusionWorks interpreting this chapter each carry unique insights, and every perspective brings inspiration. This chapter sorts out the underlying law of void generation layer by layer, paired with Western historical and philosophical cases to avoid shallow readings limited to divine worship or physical health alone.The core of self-cultivation and daily conduct lies in emulating the valley’s hollow inclusive, endlessly generative primal trait: voluntarily empty inner prejudice and greed, adopt a humble stance, and refrain from radical overconsumption of one’s spirit. Only by sustaining a soft void balanced state long-term can one’s inner thoughts resonate harmoniously with the generative origin of all existence.This text serves only as a medium to awaken reflection, not a rigid standard to bind you. Everyone may form personal insights from their own life experience. This chapter draws to a close. We will continue interpreting the ancient manuscript in the next chapter.I live by writing, seek peace and blessings Support My Son of the Dao Translation Work If you enjoy my interpretations of Son of the Dao and ancient natural philosophy, you can support my continuous creation through PayPal. Go to PayPal Donation 说明：此渠道专为海外友人设置。国内有缘朋友如需随缘支持，可查看下方。
Chapter 7: Selflessness Brings Enduring Existence
Before diving into Chapter Seven, a brief preface: this ancient natural philosophy covers universal balancing laws for all matters. It offers guidance for personal self-cultivation, interpersonal conduct and collective governance. All interpretive perspectives hold value and need not be rejected against one another.Yet most people fall into a common cognitive trap: they define the whole text solely through one narrow field, confining grand cosmic laws within limited boundaries. We must also understand that these five thousand characters represent only a fraction of universal principles. They serve as tools to expand our thinking, not the ultimate absolute truth. Studying the text aims to broaden personal insight, rather than trapping our minds within rigid literal rules. Laozi wrote this work hoping future readers would continue inner exploration after grasping basic laws, not merely copy words mechanically. Stagnating within fixed interpretations runs counter to his original intention.The core theme of this chapter: Heaven and Earth endure eternally because they do not prioritize their own survival. Insightful people release self-centered obsessions, thereby attaining lasting inner peace and lasting renown.Original Ancient TextHeaven and Earth endure forever. The reason they last endlessly is that they do not live for themselves; hence they attain eternal life.Therefore, the wise step back from self-promotion yet stand foremost among all; they set personal fortunes and misfortunes aside yet preserve their true inner self. Is it not precisely because they are utterly selfless that their authentic core is fully fulfilled?Most readers misinterpret the closing phrase "their authentic core is fulfilled", mistaking it for a calculated act of feigning selflessness to chase fame and profit. Others merely attribute heaven and earth’s longevity to natural lifespan, failing to grasp the core logic: releasing self-centered fixation and integrating into universal balance grants permanence. This chapter breaks down three core layers step by step, supported by well-known Western historical and philosophical figures to fully clarify the truth of lasting selflessness.Layer 1: Heaven and Earth do not prioritize self-nurturing, thus they endure eternallyThe opening thesis lays out the root of heaven and earth’s permanence: they never put self-preservation as their top priority, which grants them everlasting existence."Living for oneself" means all thoughts and actions revolve around personal gain and self-protection, with the mind fully consumed by egoistic obsessions. As the hollow carrier of all existence, Heaven and Earth bear no subjective urge to prioritize their own nourishment. They embrace all seasons and creatures equally, devoting all vital energy to every living thing without hoarding resources solely for themselves.From the logic of balance: once the spiritual core is filled with egoistic fixation, it resembles a valley choked by sediment — it only takes without tolerance, collapsing the whole balancing system and shortening its lifespan drastically. Heaven and Earth empty all self-centered thoughts, fully merging into the grand cycle. They never consume vitality exclusively for self-preservation, yet gain eternal life within endless circulation. Ordinary people calculate personal honor and loss in every matter, binding their minds to the self. Their inner spirit dissipates and falls into imbalance constantly, creating endless obstacles and robbing them of lasting peace.Western Reference Case: After winning the American Revolutionary War, George Washington held full military and administrative power. Countless subordinates urged him to seize royal authority, yet all his decisions centered on the long-term stability of the nation rather than his family’s permanent power or private wealth. He fully abandoned the egoistic impulse of "living for himself". Upon victory, he immediately returned military authority to Congress, and voluntarily stepped down after two presidential terms to return to his farm. His integrity and institutional contributions remain remembered for all generations. In contrast, Napoleon seized power to expand personal prestige, enfeoff his relatives and pursue imperial glory. Every policy catered to private desire; though powerful for a short period, he was eventually defeated and abdicated, his regime collapsing rapidly. The stark contrast proves egoistic fixation cannot sustain lasting success, while releasing the self enables enduring legacy.Layer 2: Voluntarily letting go of self-seeking earns universal respect and stable inner peaceTranslating the laws of Heaven and Earth into human conduct: voluntarily restrain the urge to showcase oneself, set personal fortune and disaster aside, and you will stand before the crowd and preserve permanent inner calm."Step back from self-promotion" means restraining the competitive urge to flaunt merits and status, adopting a humble attitude and avoiding boasting of one’s insights and achievements. "Set personal fortunes aside" means detaching one’s mood from personal honor and disgrace, removing obsessions tied to the self as the center of all thought.Ordinary people rush to grab the spotlight and elevate themselves everywhere, constantly generating conflict and division. Insightful individuals take initiative to yield and embrace all beings, releasing outward clashing obsessions and treating others fairly and generously. Naturally they win sincere admiration and truly take the lead. Unshackled from emotional swings triggered by personal gain and loss, the inner hollow balance remains undisturbed, and peaceful authenticity endures.Western Reference Case: Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic Roman Emperor, spent most of his reign fighting border wars. Many generals at court competed to boast military feats and scramble for influence, yet Marcus never highlighted his own sacrifices or chased imperial fame. He allocated all resources first to comfort soldiers and civilians, putting personal safety aside. By releasing self-seeking fixation and prioritizing the whole populace, he won profound love from citizens even amid prolonged wars, and his philosophical writings survive for millennia. Many rival Roman generals at the time chased military glory and personal promotion above all, sinking into factional infighting and ultimately ruining their reputation — the complete opposite of the path of releasing self-centered desire.Layer 3: A fully selfless balanced state naturally preserves authentic inner peaceThe most easily misread line of the chapter: precisely by fully releasing egoistic obsessions, one’s genuine, long-lasting inner peace is preserved.The "authentic core" mentioned here never refers to worldly greed for fame and luxury. It stands for the natural, unbiased and steady inner state inherent to every human being. When one fully releases obsessions of calculation, vanity and craving, the mind settles into hollow balance, aligning one’s spirit with the cyclic laws of all existence. External harmony and undisturbed inner peace come naturally, granting permanent preservation of one’s true self.This is never a manipulative tactic: if one acts "selfless" only to gain rewards in return, the heart remains wrapped in heavy ego fixation. Apparent yielding masks hidden pursuit of benefit, completely violating the core of this chapter. True selflessness stems from genuine release of self-interest, not performative pretense.Unified Logical Thread Across All Seven ChaptersChapter 1: Strip away obsession with the label of virtue, return to innate authenticityChapter 2: Dissolve binary division of beauty and ugliness, refuse one-sided judgmentChapter 3: Avoid external chasing benchmarks, curb greed and contentionChapter 4: Temper sharpness and chaotic thoughts, return to the universal void originChapter 5: Release personal likes and dislikes, permanently uphold the balanced middle pathChapter 6: Emulate the valley’s low hollow inclusiveness, guard the generative root of all thingsChapter 7: Abandon egoistic fixation, attain lasting peace through selflessnessAcross seven chapters, the narrative turns inward layer by layer, shifting focus from external judgment and craving toward polishing a selfless, inclusive balanced mind, forming a fully cohesive closed logical loop.Chapter ConclusionWorks interpreting this chapter each carry unique insights, and every perspective brings inspiration. This chapter sorts out the underlying balancing law of releasing the self and enduring through selflessness, paired with Western historical figures to break free from the widespread misreading that selflessness is merely a tool for personal gain.The core of self-cultivation and daily conduct lies in emulating Heaven and Earth’s disregard for self-interest, releasing competitive and egoistic thoughts, and overlooking personal honor and disgrace to embrace the collective whole. By sustaining an unbiased, hollow state of mind long-term, one’s inner spirit resonates harmoniously with the eternal cyclic laws of all existence.This text merely serves as a medium to inspire thought, not the sole absolute standard. Feel free to share it if you gain insight. We will continue interpreting the ancient manuscript in the next chapter.I live by writing, seek peace and blessings Support My Son of the Dao Translation Work If you enjoy my interpretations of Son of the Dao and ancient natural philosophy, you can support my continuous creation through PayPal. Go to PayPal Donation 说明：此渠道专为海外友人设置。国内有缘朋友如需随缘支持，可查看下方。
Chapter 8: The Highest Virtue Resembles Water
Looking back through the logical thread of the first seven chapters reveals a clear progression: Chapter 6 explains the void origin that births all things in the universe; Chapter 7 lays out the macro law that heaven, earth and the wise release self-centered fixation. This chapter takes the ordinary running water of the world to embody the balanced universal principle. Valleys are hollow and low to gather hundreds of streams, and rivers and oceans are essentially deep pools. The traits of water act as an intuitive bridge connecting cosmic origin and inner mental cultivation. Many readers only regard water’s nature as a tactful, yielding survival skill, separating it from the inner logic of void and selflessness established in prior chapters. This chapter sorts out its reasoning layer by layer, supported by classic Western cases to fully grasp the profound truth that water stands closest to the balanced source of all existence.Original Ancient TextThe highest virtue resembles water. Water nourishes all things yet remains calm; it dwells in places all people disdain, hence it comes closest to the universal source.Dwell in humble places; keep a deep, tranquil mind; give freely like heaven; speak with integrity; govern with harmony; act with adaptable competence; move at the proper time.Only by refusing contention can one escape blame and inner turmoil.Layer 1: Water nourishes all and abides in low places, carrying forward the inclusive void nature of the primal sourceThe core opening of this chapter: The noblest character is like flowing water. It sustains every living creature yet stays quiet, willingly settling in low ground shunned by humanity, making it the closest thing to the balanced origin of all things.Human beings universally chase glorious high status, while water naturally flows downward. This echoes the law from Chapter 6 that hollow, low valleys gather all rivers; only deep, low spaces can hold accumulated water to form tranquil pools. Water nourishes all creation without boasting or demanding repayment, free of the obsession to claim personal merit. It perfectly aligns with the core logic of Chapter 7 — heaven and earth do not live for themselves, thus enduring eternally — and its operating system matches the void generative cycle completely.From the perspective of inner balance: those who crave high standing and flaunt themselves clog their minds like silt-choked valleys, losing all capacity for inclusion. Emulating water’s humility and emptying egoistic obsessions lets diverse insights and life opportunities flow inward naturally, keeping the inner spirit steady and balanced long-term.Western Reference Case: The Roman statesman Cincinnatus received absolute military authority amid a foreign invasion. Instead of clashing harshly with disaster, he unified all forces to comfort the populace. Once the war ended, he immediately laid down all power and returned to his farm. He labored for all people his whole life yet never clung to authority or fame, just as water nourishes everything without striving for praise. By contrast, numerous Roman dictators craved grand achievements and launched endless expansion wars, obsessed with supreme status. Their hearts overflowed with vanity and greed, burdening ordinary citizens heavily and dooming their regimes to short-lived stability.Layer 2: Seven cultivation principles all rooted in the underlying logic of humility, tranquility and inclusive voidThe seven lines "Dwell in humble places; keep a deep, tranquil mind; give freely like heaven; speak with integrity; govern with harmony; act with adaptable competence; move at the proper time" form a complete practical path to cultivate oneself by following water’s nature. Every tenet centers on lowliness, void and quiet inclusion, illustrated with Western historical figures:Dwell in humble places: Voluntarily choose modest positions, never scramble for the spotlight.Case: Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President, dressed plainly while holding high office, traveled without elaborate entourages, and regularly conversed equally with common citizens, never flaunting presidential privileges and always embracing humility.Keep a deep, tranquil mind: Empty arrogance and fixation on gain and loss; maintain a quiet, spacious inner self capable of holding all viewpoints and life experiences.Case: The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates endured constant doubt and exclusion yet never harbored resentment. He peacefully accepted diverse opinions, sustained a broad, calm heart, and pursued truth his entire life.Give freely like heaven: Offer support without demanding exchange or reward, purely selfless as heaven nourishes all living things.Case: Scientist Michael Faraday declined royal knighthood and the highest title of the Royal Society. He spent his life sharing scientific knowledge with ordinary people for free, distributing his research findings without seeking fame or material rewards.Speak with integrity: Keep words plain and truthful, free of boastful exaggeration, as calm and unpretentious as still water.Case: The Athenian lawgiver Solon never altered decrees arbitrarily and fulfilled every promise to the public, matching consistent deeds with modest speech that never overstated his own achievements.Govern with harmony: Rule groups free of selfish desire, embrace diverse demands, and stabilize all people through lowly, inclusive governance.Case: The wise Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius reduced public taxation, restrained palace extravagance, and balanced the needs of all social strata, sustaining peace across the realm through mild, inclusive policies.Act with adaptable competence: Handle affairs flexibly and follow natural tendencies, refusing rigid self-display; water adapts to any shape, soft yet firm.Case: The Athenian statesman Pericles adjusted governance policies to match the city-state’s actual conditions instead of clinging to rigid rules, resolving various livelihood conflicts by tailored measures.Move at the proper time: Take action only when the overall trend matures, never rush forward or compete against the tide.Case: George Washington, American Founding Father, waited for the independent movement to ripen fully rather than launching reckless conflict. He led the people to strive for independence only when conditions were complete.These seven standards are not isolated social tactics; they all stem from the universal law of hollow valleys and humble water, translating grand cosmic balance into personal practice.Layer 3: Refuse all contention; freedom from obsession eliminates blame and regretCore closing statement: Only by letting go of the urge to compete can one rid the heart of fixation, avoiding resentment and missteps.All human conflict, anxiety and criticism originate from the drive to stand foremost and cling to personal gain and loss. Constant scrambling for fame and status clogs the mind like silt blocking a valley, breeding division and strife. Water dwells low, never competing with anything for rank, merit or profit, free of egoistic obsessions, so it never draws resentment. This aligns fully with Chapter 7’s logic that the wise step back from self-promotion and overlook personal fortune: releasing the priority of the self aligns with the inclusive void balancing system, granting lasting peace free of turmoil to body and spirit.Unified Logical Thread Across All Eight ChaptersChapter 1: Strip away obsession with the label of virtue, return to innate authenticityChapter 2: Dissolve binary division of beauty and ugliness, refuse one-sided judgmentChapter 3: Avoid external chasing benchmarks, curb greed and contentionChapter 4: Temper sharpness and chaotic thoughts, return to the universal void originChapter 5: Release personal likes and dislikes, permanently uphold the balanced middle pathChapter 6: Emulate the valley’s low hollow inclusiveness, guard the generative root of all thingsChapter 7: Abandon egoistic fixation, attain lasting peace through selflessnessChapter 8: Take water as the metaphor for supreme virtue; abide in humility, tranquility and freedom from contentionAcross eight chapters, the narrative gradually turns inward, shifting focus from external pursuit and judgment toward polishing a void, inclusive, humble and non-contentious balanced mind, forming a fully cohesive closed logical loop.Chapter ConclusionWorks interpreting this chapter each carry unique insights, and every perspective brings inspiration. This chapter sorts out the complete reasoning behind water as a metaphor for the universal source, paired with Western historical and philosophical cases. It avoids narrowing water’s meaning down to mere shrewd, opportunistic survival tactics, connecting the continuous threads of void and selflessness running through all prior chapters.The core of self-cultivation and daily conduct lies in emulating water’s trait of abiding low and quietly nourishing all creation. Voluntarily release the obsession to compete and boast, maintain a deep, inclusive balanced mind, and your inner spirit will resonate harmoniously with the eternal circulating balancing laws of all existence.This text merely serves as a medium to inspire thought, not a rigid standard to bind you. Feel free to share it if you gain insight. We will continue interpreting the ancient manuscript in the next chapter.I live by writing, seek peace and blessings Support My Son of the Dao Translation Work If you enjoy my interpretations of Son of the Dao and ancient natural philosophy, you can support my continuous creation through PayPal. Go to PayPal Donation 说明：此渠道专为海外友人设置。国内有缘朋友如需随缘支持，可查看下方。
Chapter 9: Do Not Fill Yourself To The Brim
Review the consistent logic of previous chapters: Chapter Six talks about the void birthing all things; Chapter Seven explains that releasing self-interest grants longevity; Chapter Eight uses water as a metaphor for humility and constant circulation. This chapter continues the whole balanced system and points out mankind’s most universal obsession: endless hoarding and filling the inner self blocks the natural cycle of all existence, leading to decline after peak prosperity. The original text is concise, supported by positive and negative Western historical and business cases to break down the underlying balancing law layer by layer.Original Ancient TextFill your grasp to the brim, better to stop in time.Sharpen your edge deliberately; such sharpness cannot last long.Treasures fill the hall, none can guard them forever.Wealth and rank breed arrogance, bringing disaster upon oneself.When your work is accomplished, step back. This is the eternal law of nature.Layer 1: Fill your grasp to the brim; better to stop in time"Being full" does not mean possessing abundant resources. It refers to narrow inner capacity coupled with endless craving and hoarding, completely clogging the inner void and breaking the natural balance of universal circulation.Rivers and valleys maintain vitality only with inflow and outflow; if exits are blocked to hold everything in, waterways silt up and all life fades away.Wealth itself carries no fault. The key lies in inner capacity: a small bowl spills easily when overloaded, yet a broad, spacious inner mind reserves empty space for circulation, so no disaster comes from excess. This is the fundamental premise to embrace all things. True tolerance is not blindly abandoning material goods, but reserving room for flow within oneself.Western Reference Case 1: Louis XIV, the Sun King of France, exhausted national power to expand territory and build the Palace of Versailles. He hoarded wealth and territory without restraint, leaving no buffer for the nation. Massive national debt accumulated over generations, social conflicts erupted fully, and the dynasty slid into turmoil. In contrast, Dutch rulers of the same era expanded moderately, reserved financial reserves for people’s livelihood, and maintained stable rule for a long time.Western Reference Case 2: Retail giant Kmart expanded stores blindly, filling all capital and inventory with no spare buffer. Minor market fluctuations triggered capital chain rupture and final decline. Warren Buffett always holds huge cash reserves, never fully filling investment positions, reserving circulating space to survive multiple economic crises steadily.Layer 2: Sharpen your edge deliberately; such sharpness cannot last longIntentionally polishing flamboyant sharpness and showcasing the self actively breaks the balanced state of humility and non-contention. Only narrow inner minds rely on aggressive sharpness to compete with others, breeding constant conflict and making lasting peace impossible.Truly broad minds hold ample inner void, naturally gentle and restrained, matching water’s trait of humble inclusion.Western Reference Case 1: Oscar Wilde possessed extraordinary literary talent, yet his words and deeds carried sharp satire targeting upper-class norms. He deliberately displayed his sharp wit and challenged mainstream values, eventually falling into scandal and imprisonment, ruining his whole life.Western Reference Case 2: Roman statesman Cincinnatus held absolute national military power but never flaunted his achievements. He restrained his sharp edge and returned to farming immediately after wars ended, living a peaceful life respected by all generations.Layer 3: Treasures fill the hall, none can guard them forever; wealth and rank breed arrogance, bringing disaster upon oneselfWhen wealth and fame pile up massively without enough inner capacity to contain them, arrogance easily grows, severing one’s balance with all existence and inviting misfortune.Western Reference Case 1: Roman noble Crassus owned enormous fortune, paraded his luxury and competed for power through wealth. Arrogant and disdainful of others, he died in military campaign in the end, and all his vast properties scattered.Western Reference Case 2: Investment legend Warren Buffett holds hundreds of billions of assets yet lives simply. He donates large sums of wealth year-round without arrogance born of fortune, enjoying lifelong stability with lasting wealth and public praise.Layer 4: When your work is accomplished, step back. This is the eternal law of natureNature follows fixed cyclic rhythms: seasons alternate, all things flourish then fade, never clinging to peak prosperity eternally.After completing great achievements, one should not cling to power, wealth or fame, but take initiative to retreat and sustain the circulating void of the inner mind, aligning with natural balancing laws.Western Reference Case 1: George Washington defeated the British Revolutionary army and held full national military authority. Upon completing his mission, he immediately returned military power to Congress and voluntarily stepped down after two presidential terms, refusing supreme power and leaving an immortal reputation. In contrast, Napoleon seized the throne and refused to retreat, launching endless expansion wars. He was finally defeated and abdicated, and his empire collapsed.Western Reference Case 2: Tennis legend Björn Borg owned all top honors at his peak, yet chose to retire fully in his prime, letting go of fame and disputes to live a peaceful later life. Many sports stars clung to status and competed endlessly, draining their bodies and ending their careers amid constant controversy.Unified Logical Thread Across All Nine ChaptersChapter 1: Strip away obsession with the label of virtue, return to innate authenticityChapter 2: Dissolve binary division of beauty and ugliness, refuse one-sided judgmentChapter 3: Avoid external chasing benchmarks, curb greed and contentionChapter 4: Temper sharpness and chaotic thoughts, return to the universal void originChapter 5: Release personal likes and dislikes, permanently uphold the balanced middle pathChapter 6: Emulate the valley’s low hollow inclusiveness, guard the generative root of all thingsChapter 7: Abandon egoistic fixation, attain lasting peace through selflessnessChapter 8: Take water as metaphor: humility, non-contention and constant circulationChapter 9: Reject hoarding and fullness, restrain sharpness, step back after successAcross nine chapters, the narrative gradually turns inward with one unified core: reserve inner void, refuse obsessive craving and contention, and follow natural circulation to sustain lasting peace without misfortune.Chapter ConclusionAll interpretive works carry unique insights. Supported by Western political, commercial and historical figures, this chapter avoids shallow utilitarian readings and clarifies the universal cyclic law of "avoid fullness, restrain sharpness, retreat after achievement".The core of self-cultivation and daily conduct lies in continuously broadening inner capacity, refraining from hoarding desire and fame, restraining outward sharpness, and taking initiative to step back at the peak of achievement. Only by sustaining a balanced mind of void and circulation can one’s inner spirit resonate with the eternal cyclic laws of all existence.This text merely serves as a medium to inspire thought, not the sole absolute standard. Feel free to share it if you gain insight. We will continue interpreting the ancient manuscript in the next chapter.I live by writing, seek peace and blessings Support My Son of the Dao Translation Work If you enjoy my interpretations of Son of the Dao and ancient natural philosophy, you can support my continuous creation through PayPal. Go to PayPal Donation 说明：此渠道专为海外友人设置。国内有缘朋友如需随缘支持，可查看下方。
Chapter 10: Cultivate the Dao and Nurture Profound Virtue
Review the complete logic of the first nine chapters: Chapter One strips artificial obsessions and returns to the primal source of all existence; Chapter Two releases binary division and follows natural rhythm; Chapter Three abandons external benchmarks of desire; Chapter Four restrains sharpness and guards inner void; Chapter Five sets aside personal fondness and hatred to uphold the balanced middle path; Chapter Six explains the cyclic void system of the valley spirit as the cosmic foundation; Chapter Seven illustrates that heaven and earth endure by refusing possession; Chapter Eight uses water as a metaphor for humble, flowing virtue; Chapter Nine warns that hoarding and filling the inner self inevitably bring misfortune.Building on Chapter Nine’s core lesson that overfilling the mind breeds trouble, this chapter poses six reflective questions, offering a complete set of balanced principles for inner cultivation and outward conduct. It concludes with the concept of profound virtue, translating cosmic laws into daily thoughts and actions for every person.Original Ancient TextEmbrace your spirit and body as one; can you keep them inseparable?Gather vital energy to attain gentleness; can you be as uncomplicated as an infant?Wash clean the inner mirror of your mind; can you leave it free of blemishes?Love and govern people; can you rule without crafty scheming?As your senses open and close to the world, can you abide in quiet humility?Having clear insight into all things, can you refrain from flaunting wisdom?All things are birthed and nurtured; creating yet not possessing, acting yet not relying on merit, guiding yet not dominating — this is profound virtue.Chapter Nine has clarified that strong possessiveness and fixation on utilitarian goals clog the inner mind into a state of "fullness", severing the void cyclic system of the valley spirit and inviting self-inflicted misfortune. The six reflective questions in this chapter guide inward examination: when cultivating vitality, purifying the mind, governing communities, responding to sensory temptation, and understanding worldly affairs, do we remain trapped in deliberate striving and forced action?Layer 1: Embrace spirit and body as one; can you keep them inseparable?Thought and physical form belong as a unified whole; only when mind and body align can we sustain an inclusive inner void. Most people live consumed by utilitarian calculation, chasing fame and gain nonstop, splitting spirit from body. Chaos fills the heart like silt clogging a valley, the very start of destructive fullness. Only by gathering scattered thoughts and refusing outward craving can the mind stay tranquil, aligned with the law of void transformation.Western Reference Case: Many politicians and businessmen chase fame and profit, their minds perpetually wandering outward, narrow and easily agitated. Stoic philosophers practice constant inner reflection to stabilize mind and body, undisturbed by external matters, broad-minded and free of obsessive fixation amid hardship.Layer 2: Gather vital energy to attain gentleness; can you be as uncomplicated as an infant?Many people force themselves to act mild, fixating on the goal "I must be humble and non-contentious". This deliberate pursuit itself fills the mind with obsession, artificial and unnatural. The gentleness of an infant springs from innate nature, no forced striving weighing on its heart. Laozi reveals that intentional softness remains rooted in fixation, contradicting the natural void primal source.Western Reference Case: Many debaters crave victory in every argument, clashing with others constantly and suffering endless interpersonal friction. Marcus Aurelius lived aligned with natural gentleness, never competing for superiority, accommodating all circumstances and escaping strife his whole life.Layer 3: Wash clean the inner mirror of your mind; can you leave it free of blemishes?The inner heart resembles a mirror; greed, arrogance and utilitarian desire leave smudges upon it. Obsessively chasing a certain state or achievement piles layer upon layer of clutter, blocking the inner void and creating the harm of overfullness. To embrace all existence, we must regularly cleanse mental obsessions, keeping the heart clear and spacious, like a valley holding all streams without clogging.Western Reference Case: Many corporate executives are trapped by schemes for expansion and short-term profit, rigid and consumed by desire. Warren Buffett regularly purges speculative fixation, reserving inclusive inner space, steady and flexible in long-term business decisions.Layer 4: Love and govern people; can you rule without crafty scheming?Ruling communities through manipulation and cunning artificially disrupts society’s natural flow, forcibly controlling resources and restricting people — sharing the same root flaw as hoarding wealth and filling the heart laid out in Chapter Nine. Governing with minimal calculation, respecting people’s natural needs and unbroken social balance aligns with the universal Dao.Western Reference Case: The French Physiocrat Quesnay advocated laissez-faire governance, cutting complex state restrictions and letting livelihoods develop naturally. By contrast, many Roman rulers relied on harsh laws and intrigue to exploit citizens, accumulating long-term public resentment that erupted into civil unrest.Layer 5: As your senses open and close to the world, can you abide in quiet humility?Eyes, ears and wandering thoughts are our "heavenly gates" opening to the outside. "Humility" symbolizes restraint, tranquility and lowliness. Humans often crave to display knowledge and argue over right and wrong, flaunting sharpness and breaking peaceful circulation. Restrain sensory craving, stay quiet and modest, emulating water’s non-competitive nature, never rushing to stand out or boast of oneself.Western Reference Case: Many scholars and orators relish public debates to show off their knowledge, draining mental energy endlessly. Socrates listened quietly to ordinary people daily, never parading his insight, his inner peace untouched by worldly vanity.Layer 6: Having clear insight into all things, can you refrain from flaunting wisdom?Even with thorough understanding of all worldly matters, never flaunt talent or manipulate others through cleverness. Comprehend life without treating insight as a status symbol, rejecting arrogant self-satisfaction to avoid the disaster of pride born from wealth and renown.Western Reference Case: Many intellectuals grow conceited and belittle others, earning widespread dislike. Marie Curie possessed world-renowned achievements yet stayed humble, never boasting of her discoveries, respected universally throughout her lifetime.Layer 7: All things are birthed and nurtured; creating yet not possessing, acting yet not relying on merit, guiding yet not dominating — this is profound virtueThis concluding thread ties together Chapters Six through Nine’s core logic. The void valley spirit generates all life, water nourishes all beings, and heaven and earth nurture creation without ownership, claim or control, sustaining endless void circulation. Profound virtue means endlessly broadening inner capacity, accepting all things without hoarding, refusing attachment to achievement or the urge to command others — the foundation of inclusive integrity.Unified Logical Thread Across All Ten ChaptersChapter 1: Release obsession with the label of virtue, return to innate authenticityChapter 2: Dissolve binary judgment of beauty and ugliness, reject one-sided biasChapter 3: Abandon external chasing benchmarks, curb greed and contentionChapter 4: Temper sharp chaotic thoughts, return to the cosmic void originChapter 5: Let go of personal likes and dislikes, uphold the balanced middle pathChapter 6: Emulate the valley’s low hollow inclusiveness, guard the generative root of all thingsChapter 7: Abandon egoistic desire, selflessness brings enduranceChapter 8: Take water as metaphor: humility, lowliness and non-contentionChapter 9: Reject hoarding and overfullness; flaunting sharpness brings misfortuneChapter 10: Unify spirit and body, stay gentle and pure, govern without craft, hide insight and restraint; attain profound virtue that creates without possession, acts without pride, guides without dominationAcross ten chapters, the narrative turns inward layer by layer, forming a complete cohesive system centered on void, circulation and inner cultivation.Chapter ConclusionAll interpretive works carry unique perspectives. Supported by Western philosophers, statesmen and business figures, this chapter fully unpacks the six reflective examinations and the essence of profound virtue, breaking free from the shallow trap of deliberate striving and obsessive overfullness.The core of self-cultivation and daily conduct lies in constant inward reflection: unify mind and body, remain gentle and pure, act without cunning and refrain from self-display. Create without possession, guide without domination, sustain an inclusive empty heart long-term, and your inner spirit will resonate harmoniously with the eternal cyclic laws of all existence.This text merely serves as a medium to inspire personal reflection, representing only individual insight rather than the sole absolute standard. Feel free to share if you gain inspiration. We will continue interpreting the ancient manuscript in the next chapter.I live by writing, seek peace and blessings Support My Son of the Dao Translation Work If you enjoy my interpretations of Son of the Dao and ancient natural philosophy, you can support my continuous creation through PayPal. Go to PayPal Donation 说明：此渠道专为海外友人设置。国内有缘朋友如需随缘支持，可查看下方。