Chapter 32
The Dao is eternally nameless and formless.Though as simple as an uncarved block, seemingly insignificant, no force in the world can subdue it. If rulers and kings abide by it, all things will align naturally. Heaven and earth harmonize to send down sweet dew; without human command, it nourishes all equally. Once humans begin to establish rules and assign names, they must learn to know where to stop. Knowing when to halt avoids peril. The Dao’s presence in the world is like streams returning to rivers and seas—natural and allencompassing.
(This passage elucidates the Dao’s formless and noninterfering nature. Laozi emphasizes that the Dao transcends names and forms, requiring no human intervention: all things follow it spontaneously. Once names and institutions are created, humans must restrain greed and adhere to the wisdom of “knowing when to stop.” The relationship between the Dao and all things mirrors rivers flowing to the sea—a unity of spontaneity and inclusivity.)
Annotations:
1. Nameless (无名): The Dao cannot be defined or labeled; it transcends language and concepts.
2. Simplicity of the Uncarved Block (朴虽小): A metaphor for the Dao’s pure essence—unassuming yet foundational.
3. Natural Alignment (自宾): All things submit willingly, free from coercion (embodying the idea of wuwei governance).
4. Knowing When to Stop (知止): Restraining desire and intervention to align with the Dao’s natural order.
5. Streams and Rivers to the Sea (川谷之於江海): Symbolizes the inevitable, natural dependence of all things on the Dao.
Core Ideas:
Rejects human manipulation, advocating alignment with natural laws.
Warns against the obscuring of the Dao by names and institutions, urging a return to simplicity and authenticity.
“Knowing when to stop” critiques excessive control, emphasizing humility and limits.
Key Terms & Style:
Dao (道): Retained in transliteration to preserve its philosophical weight.
Wuwei (无为): Implicit in phrases like “align naturally” and “without human command.”
Harmony (相合): Reflects the Daoist ideal of balance between heaven, earth, and humanity.
Allencompassing (无所不包): Captures the Dao’s boundless, integrative nature.
The translation balances poetic imagery (e.g., “sweet dew,” “streams to the sea”) with philosophical precision, mirroring Laozi’s blend of metaphor and metaphysics. The annotations and core ideas clarify context without overinterpretation, respecting the text’s inherent ambiguity.
