Chapter Fifty-Five

The depth of one's virtue is greater than that of a pure child. Poisonous insects ① do not sting ②, fierce beasts ③ do not seize ③, and seizing birds ④ do not fight ⑤. Weak bones, soft tendons and firm grip. The combination of male and female is unknown, and 朘 works as ⑥, which is the ultimate essence. To murmur all day long without being restless is the ultimate harmony. To know harmony is called "constancy "⑧, to know constancy is called" clarity ", to be proactive ⑨ is called "auspiciousness ⑩", and to let the heart control the qi is called "strength ⑾". When things are strong, they grow old. This is called not following the way, not following the way for a long time. A person with profound moral cultivation is like a newborn baby. Venomous insects do not sting him, fierce beasts do not harm him, and fierce birds do not strike him. His muscles and bones are weak, but his fists are clenched very firmly. Although he was unaware of sexual intercourse between men and women, his small genitals were raised vigorously, which was due to his abundant vital energy. He cries all day long, but his voice is never hoarse. This is because of his kind and gentle nature. The principle of understanding Chunhe is called "constancy", and those who know "constancy" are called "clarity". Greed for life and indulgence in desires will bring disaster. When desires control one's vital energy, it is called showing off one's strength. When things become overly vigorous, they will grow old. This is called going against the "Way". If one does not follow the constant way, they will die quickly. [Note] 1. Poisonous insects: Refers to venomous creatures such as snakes, scorpions, and bees. 2. Stinger: A poisonous insect bites a person with its stinger. 3. Evidence: Beasts use their claws and feet to seize objects. 4. Bird snatching: A bird that grabs food with its claws, such as eagles and falcons. 5. Strike: A falcon strikes an object with its claws. 6. Youdaoplaceholder0: The infant 's reproductive organs become erect. Youdaoplaceholder0, boy 's genitals. 7. "Ga" : Hoarse noise. 8. Knowing harmony is called "chang" : "chang" refers to the laws governing the operation of things. Harmony refers to the state where the Yin and Yang energies are in harmony. 9. Probiotics: Indulging in desires and greed for life. 10. Xiang: Here it refers to demonic auspiciousness or ill omen. 11. Strong: To show off or be violent. 12. Zhuang: Strong. [Quotation] This chapter discusses the philosophy of life, that is, the concrete manifestation of "virtue" in a person. The first half employs vivid metaphors, while the second half expounds abstract principles. Laozi uses the term "innocent son" to describe a person with profound cultivation and realm, who can return to the purity and gentleness of an infant. "Excellence to the extreme" describes a state of full and vigorous spirit, and "harmony to the extreme" describes a state of united and harmonious hearts. Laozi advocated that by using such methods, one could prevent all kinds of harm from the outside world and avoid misfortune. If one indulges in desires and greed, and shows off one's temper and strength, one will suffer, harming oneself as well as others. [Commentary] In this chapter, Laozi writes in an exaggerated way as follows: To internize "virtue" within one's body and mind and accumulate it very deeply is like a child without any desire or desire. Venomous insects, fierce beasts, and evil birds will not harm him, and at the same time, he will not harm beasts, insects, or even beasts. Therefore, he will not attract the harm of beasts and birds. He vividly said that the baby's erect genitals and loud crying were due to his vigorous energy and calm demeanor. He said that the characteristics of a child are gentleness and lack of contention, and that the core is still "harmony". Che Che said that in the Laozi Book, when it comes to the character "harmony", there are three points that should be emphasized: one is "harmonizing its light", another is "harmonizing through the flow of energy", and the third is "sounding all day long without being disturbed; this is the ultimate harmony." It uses "light", "impulse" and "infant" to illustrate "harmony", all of which are about unity and the state of "blending". "Light" in terms of "returning to its clarity" means that when light hits an object, there is one side that reaches and the other that does not. "harmonizing with the light" is to unify the two and restore it to a "mixed" state of "clarity". "Chong Qi" is the beginning of all things. All things contain two aspects: negative Yin and embracing Yang. The two are often unified, demonstrating the effect of not being excessive and entering everything. The infant is the beginning of a person. Youth, middle age and old age all start from it, but the infant is chaotic and ignorant, and is united with the harmony of heaven and earth. The unity represented by "harmony" encompasses opposition and is eternal, which is why it is said, "To know harmony is to be constant." (On Laozi, p. 69) Laozi acknowledged the diversity and universal contradictions of the world where "all things coexist", and was extremely grieved and angry at the conditions of possession, plundering, fraud and warfare existing in society. He regarded unity as the normal state of what he pursued and restored.