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Tao Te Ching Verse 24

translated by Lin Yutang

He who stands on tiptoe does not stand (firm);
He who strains his strides does not walk (well);
He who reveals himself is not luminous;
He who justifies himself is not far-famed;
He who boasts of himself is not given credit;
He who prides himself is not chief among men.
   These in the eyes of Tao
   Are called "the dregs and tumors of Virtue,"
      Which are things of disgust.
Therefore the man of Tao spurns them.

Photo by Alex Iby on Unsplash

Efficiency of effort

In the last verse, we explored the idea of nature not even being able to create sustained effort, and it seems that in this verse, we’re called to look at example where humanity acts in a temporary nature.  Lao Tzu says that a person cannot stand on tiptoe for long, nor can a person walk forever when striding.  It seems to me that these are examples of extra, perhaps even unnecessary things we do when wanting to appear more than what we are.  And what are we, really?  In Verse 20, we talked about comparing ourselves to the world - but weren't we really comparing what we seem like to the idea of what we think we are?  In other words, don’t we have these self-images that we create, then look to the world  for proof?  I suppose I’m trying to say that  we put so much effort into presenting ourselves that we miss using that energy to shape our true nature, our true character.

Why would I want to stand on tiptoe, above everyone else?  For more advantage or perceived advantage, I think.  And why is that important?  My ego self tells me - it’s so I can be good later on.  If I can secure a position of strength or advantage, that must be good, mustn’t it?  If I stand above everyone else, that has to be good for something, right?  As I’m writing this, I don’t know that I can say that’s true!  Or appealing, either.  If I stand above everyone, does that help me along my journey toward Source?  Does that help me tap into the gifts and the power of the Tao?  I mean, the Tao is always providing, always creating.  I have to be in flow with it in order to experience those gifts and create with it.  But if I’m trying to stand above everyone else, that energy I’m using for that detracts from the energy I could be using to tap into the power of the Tao, no?

It seems to me that it’s so logically tempting to want to get ahead of others, to be more - especially in professional life, since more money and prestige means more influence.  But for what?  Creature comforts?  Self validation through comparison with others?  I’m just working through this here - this is what I believed for a long time and to a certain extent, justify my working hours with  the idea that I need to be secure and I’m the guy that can do that.  It’s so counterintuitive to think that there is this unseen, unformed force that provides me with everything I need, doesn’t it?  Until I start  to realize that all the things come from the NoThing.  Yang manifests from Yin, doesn’t it?  So then It DOES make sense that instead of trying to create prestige and power with material things like matter, it’s much more efficient to tailor that which I need from the very source itself.  

I suppose that is the case for trusting the Tao.  Next, let’s have a look at the direct and personal consequences of my thoughts, words, and actions if I try to lead without the Tao.