2nd Verse of the Tao Te Ching
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty, only because there is ugliness.
All can know good as good only because there is evil.
Being and nonbeing produce each other.
The difficult is born in the easy.
Long is defined by short, the high by the low.
Before and after go along with each other.
So the sage lives openly with apparent duality and paradoxical unity.
The sage can act without effort and teach without words.
Nurturing things without possessing them, he works, but not for rewards; he competes, but not for results.
When the work is done, it is forgotten.
That is why it lasts forever
Lao Tzo
This Taoist verse speaks to the idea of yin and yang, or the duality of opposites in the natural world. It begins by stating that under heaven, all can see beauty as beauty and good as good, only because there is ugliness and evil. These opposite forces are necessary for each other in order to create a balance in the world. The difficult is born in the easy and the high is defined by the low. This is because these concepts are relative- what is difficult or high to one person may be easy or low to another. Before and after go along with each other, because one cannot exist without the other. This is also true of the sage, who lives openly with apparent duality and paradoxical unity. The sage can act without effort and teach without words. This is because the sage understands that everything is interconnected and relative. When the work is done, it is forgotten. This is why the sage’s teachings last forever.
This Taoist verse is a reminder that everything in the world is in a constant state of flux. The sage understands that the only way to achieve balance and harmony is to accept and embrace the duality of opposites.
I think that this Taoist verse is a reminder that everything in the world is in a constant state of flux. The sage understands that the only way to achieve balance and harmony is to accept and embrace the duality of opposites. I also think that this verse speaks to the idea of yin and yang, or the duality of opposites in the natural world. I find it interesting that the author mentions that the difficult is born in the easy and the high is defined by the low. This is because these concepts are relative- what is difficult or high to one person may be easy or low to another. I think that this is a great reminder that we should not judge things based on our own perspective, but instead try to see things from a different perspective.
How do you think this verse can be applied to our lives?
I think that this Taoist verse can be applied to our lives in a number of ways. For example, it can remind us that everything is in a constant state of flux and that we should not judge things based on our own perspective. It can also remind us of the importance of balance and harmony, and that we can achieve this by accepting and embracing the duality of opposites.
Do you have any examples of how you have applied this verse to your life?
I have applied this Taoist verse to my life by trying to see things from a different perspective. For example, when I am feeling frustrated or angry, I try to take a step back and understand why I am feeling that way. I also think that it is important to accept and embrace the duality of opposites. For example, when I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I try to take a few minutes to relax and calm down. I think that this verse can be applied to our lives in a number of ways and that it is a great reminder of the importance of balance and harmony.
