Chapter 49
The Sage has no fixed personal desires, but takes the heartmind of the people as their own. To the kind, I respond with kindness; to the unkind, I also respond with kindness—this is De Shan (virtuous goodness). To the trustworthy, I extend trust; to the untrustworthy, I also extend trust—this is De Xin (virtuous trustworthiness). In governing the world, the Sage dwells in tranquil selflessness, merging their consciousness with the cosmos and returning to primordial simplicity. While the people fixate on sensory distractions, the Sage guides them as one nurtures children.
Commentary:
This passage distills the Daoist wisdom of "sage governance":
Dissolving EgoCentricity
Beyond subjective will: "Having no fixed heartmind" signifies transcending rigid perspectives and refusing to judge the world through selfreferential standards.
Resonant connection: "Taking the people’s heartmind as their own" embodies true empathy and intersubjective attunement.
Transcending Dualities
Beyond good/evil distinctions: Maintaining consistent virtue regardless of others’ conduct reveals the universal applicability of the Dao.
Transforming distrust: Unwavering integrity awakens innate authenticity, manifesting the Dao’s principle of "reversal as movement."
Governance Through Primordial Return
"Xīxī yān": Leaders maintain receptive stillness, avoiding forceful intervention.
"Hún qí xīn": Dissolving cunning strategies to return to the undifferentiated natural state.
Pedagogy of the Sage
"Fixated on senses": The people easily become迷失 (lost) through sensory desires.
"Nurturing as children": The Sage guards humanity’s original purity, guiding growth like a mother tending infants.
Modern Resonance:
Leadership essence: True leaders serve as "consciousness containers" rather than decisionmaking authorities.
Inclusive society: Transcend labels to build nonjudgmental acceptance.
Digital age metaphor: As masses indulge in "sensory feasts" (short videos/information fragments), preserving spiritual purity becomes vital.
Education philosophy: Education protects innate wisdom rather than imposing knowledge.
Annotations:
De Shan/De Xin: The "De" (德) denotes the natural manifestation of one aligned with the Dao, not conventional morality.
"Nurturing as children": Dual wisdom—honoring individual uniqueness (as each child has innate nature) while providing protective guidance (as parents cultivate seedlings).
This translation preserves the poetic cadence of classical Daoist texts while clarifying conceptual nuances through modern terminology. The commentary bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary relevance, particularly emphasizing the text’s psychological and sociological dimensions.
