Chapter 32 · The Nameless Simplicity

Tao Te Ching (Legge, 1891) · chapter title added by Learn the Dao

Learn the Dao: a quiet practice for learning the thing that can’t be known.

The chapter’s first line

The Tao, considered as unchanging, has no name.

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This chapter in plain modern English — David Kooi’s rendering ↓

The Tao, considered as unchanging, has no name. Though in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the whole world dares not deal with (one embodying) it as a minister. If a feudal prince or the king could guard and hold it, all would spontaneously submit themselves to him. Heaven and Earth (under its guidance) unite together and send down the sweet dew, which, without the directions of men, reaches equally everywhere as of its own accord. As soon as it proceeds to action, it has a name. When it once has that name, (men) can know to rest in it. When they know to rest in it, they can be free from all risk of failure and error. The relation of the Tao to all the world is like that of the great rivers and seas to the streams from the valleys.

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Chapter 32, in a second rendering

Nameless and Still No Boss

Dao De Kooi — an original rendering by David Kooi

The Dao is forever nameless. Plain, small, and still nobody gets to be its boss. If the people in charge could just hold onto it, everything would fall in line on its own - like the weather turning sweet without anyone ordering it to. The minute you start carving things up, you get names. And once there are names, you'd better know when to stop. Know when to stop and you stay out of trouble. The Dao is to the world what the rivers and the sea are to all the little streams - the low place everything is already heading.

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