Verse 10 by Lao Zi: 载营魄抱一，能无离乎？专气致柔，能如婴儿乎？涤除玄鉴，能无疵乎？爱民治国，能无为乎？天门开阖，能为雌乎？明白四达，能无知乎？生之畜之，生而不有，为而不恃，长而不宰，是谓玄德。
Carrying the soul and embracing the One, can you not depart from it?
Focusing your breath and attaining softness, can you be like a newborn child?
Cleansing the deep mirror of perception, can you be without blemish?
Loving the people and governing the nation, can you act without force?
Heaven’s gate opens and closes—can you remain yielding like the feminine?
Understanding all things and reaching everywhere, can you do so without knowledge?
To give birth and to nourish, yet not claim possession,
To act but not rely upon,
To lead but not control—
This is called profound virtue.
Related Verses:
Verse 8: 上善若水。水善利万物而不争，处衆人之所恶，故几于道。居善地，心善渊，与善仁，言善信，正善治，事善能，动善时。夫唯不争，故无尤。
Verse 9: 持而盈之，不如其已；揣而锐之，不可长保。金玉满堂，莫之能守；富贵而骄，自遗其咎。功遂身退天之道。
[Written by ChatGPT]
Line-by-Line Translation and Meaning
1. “Carrying the soul and embracing the One—can you not depart from it?”
载营魄抱一，能无离乎？
- 载 (zài) – To carry, sustain
- 营魄 (yíng pò) – The soul and spirit (ying relates to awareness, po to physical soul)
- 抱 (bào) – To embrace, hold
- 一 (yī) – The One (Dao, unity, wholeness)
- 能 (néng) – Can you
- 无 (wú) – Not
- 离 (lí) – Depart, separate
- 乎 (hū) – Question particle (“Can you…?”)
✅ Translation:
“Carrying the soul and embracing the One—
Can you remain without separation?”
✅ Meaning:
- Harmony of body, mind, and spirit: Can you maintain unity within yourself?
- Living in alignment with the Dao: Can you stay connected to the true essence of life?
✅ Application in Life:
- Avoid inner conflict—stay centered, without being pulled apart by desires and distractions.
- Cultivate inner peace by embracing oneness and balance.
2. “Focusing energy and achieving softness—can you be like a newborn?”
专气致柔，能如婴儿乎？
- 专 (zhuān) – To concentrate, focus
- 气 (qì) – Vital energy, breath, life force
- 致 (zhì) – To reach, achieve
- 柔 (róu) – Softness, flexibility
- 能 (néng) – Can you
- 如 (rú) – Be like
- 婴儿 (yīng’ér) – Infant, newborn
- 乎 (hū) – Question particle
✅ Translation:
“Focusing energy and achieving softness—
Can you be like a newborn?”
✅ Meaning:
- Softness represents vitality—a baby’s flexibility is a sign of life, while stiffness is a sign of aging and death.
- Letting go of resistance allows energy (qi) to flow naturally.
- A baby is free from ego and artificial thinking, naturally living in harmony.
✅ Application in Life:
- Be adaptable, not rigid—remain open to change and growth.
- Let go of control and return to simplicity and authenticity.
3. “Cleansing your inner vision—can you remain without flaws?”
涤除玄览，能无疵乎？
- 涤 (dí) – To wash, cleanse
- 除 (chú) – To remove, eliminate
- 玄览 (xuán lǎn) – Deep insight, mysterious vision
- 能 (néng) – Can you
- 无 (wú) – Without
- 疵 (cī) – Flaws, impurities
- 乎 (hū) – Question particle
✅ Translation:
“Cleansing your inner vision—
Can you remain without flaws?”
✅ Meaning:
- Purity of perception: Can you see life clearly, without bias or personal distortions?
- Let go of mental pollution: Fear, ego, and attachments cloud our wisdom.
✅ Application in Life:
- Meditate and reflect—see reality as it is, not as you want it to be.
- Detach from illusions and preconceptions—true wisdom comes from clarity.
4. “Loving the people and governing the state—can you do so without cleverness?”
爱民治国，能无知乎？
- 爱 (ài) – Love, care for
- 民 (mín) – The people
- 治 (zhì) – To govern, lead
- 国 (guó) – The state, nation
- 能 (néng) – Can you
- 无 (wú) – Without
- 知 (zhì) – Knowledge, cleverness, artificial wisdom
- 乎 (hū) – Question particle
✅ Translation:
“Loving the people and governing the state—
Can you do so without cleverness?”
✅ Meaning:
- True leadership does not rely on manipulation—it comes from sincerity and simplicity.
- A great leader serves, rather than controls.
✅ Application in Life:
- Lead with integrity and humility, not cunning strategies.
- Avoid overcomplicating life and leadership—simplicity is often the best guide.
5. “Opening and closing the gates of Heaven—can you be like the female?”
天门开阖，能为雌乎？
- 天门 (tiān mén) – Heaven’s gate (metaphor for natural rhythms, cosmic cycles)
- 开 (kāi) – Open
- 阖 (hé) – Close
- 能 (néng) – Can you
- 为 (wéi) – Act as, be like
- 雌 (cí) – Female, yin energy
✅ Translation:
“Opening and closing the gates of Heaven—
Can you be like the female?”
✅ Meaning:
- The female (yin) is receptive and allows things to flow naturally.
- Instead of forcing, can you let things unfold?
✅ Application in Life:
- Don’t fight against nature—allow events to open and close naturally.
- Cultivate patience, acceptance, and adaptability.
6. “Understanding and reaching all directions—can you act without force?”
明白四达，能无为乎？
- 明白 (míng bái) – To understand, see clearly
- 四达 (sì dá) – Reach all directions, comprehend fully
- 能 (néng) – Can you
- 无为 (wú wéi) – Act without force, non-action (effortless action)
- 乎 (hū) – Question particle
✅ Translation:
“Understanding and reaching all directions—
Can you act without force?”
✅ Meaning:
- True wisdom is effortless and intuitive, not forceful.
- Wu wei (无为) is the key—doing without forcing.
✅ Application in Life:
- Trust the natural course of events.
- Act wisely, but without aggression or resistance.
7. “Giving birth and nourishing, yet not possessing—this is profound virtue.”
生之畜之，生而不有，
为而不恃，长而不宰，
是谓玄德。
✅ Translation:
“Giving birth and nourishing, yet not possessing.
Acting but not depending on results.
Leading but not controlling.
This is called profound virtue.”
✅ Wisdom:
- Serve without seeking ownership or reward.
- True power comes from non-attachment—help others without trying to control them.
- Profound virtue (玄德, xuán dé) comes from acting selflessly.
✅ Application in Life:
- Teach, guide, and lead without attachment.
- Do your best, then let go of the results.
Summary of the Teachings of Verse 10
| Theme | Teaching |
|---|---|
| Inner Unity | Stay connected to the Dao—avoid inner conflict. |
| Softness & Vitality | Be flexible, open, and childlike. |
| Clear Perception | Purify your mind—see life as it is. |
| True Leadership | Govern without cleverness or manipulation. |
| Natural Flow | Accept life’s rhythms—act without force. |
| Wu Wei | Let things unfold naturally—no resistance. |
| Profound Virtue | Serve without attachment to outcomes. |
Conclusion: Living with Profound Virtue
The tenth verse of the Daodejing teaches that:
- Wisdom comes from clarity, not control.
- The best action is effortless and natural.
- True virtue is serving without seeking ownership.
In a world obsessed with control, Laozi reminds us:
🌿 Lead by serving.
🌿 Act without force.
🌿 Flow with life, not against it.
First Ten Verses – Categorized into Three Groups
🔹 Group 1: The Nature of the Dao (Verses 1, 4, 6)
Theme: The Dao as the Source of All Things
These verses establish the Dao as an infinite, indescribable, and inexhaustible force that guides the universe effortlessly.
🔹 Verse 1: The Ineffable Dao
“The Dao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Dao.”
- The Dao is beyond human language and intellect—true understanding comes from experience.
🔹 Verse 4: The Dao’s Inexhaustible Nature
“The Dao is like an empty vessel, yet its use is never exhausted.”
- The Dao is limitless and provides without diminishing.
🔹 Verse 6: The Mysterious Female (The Dao’s Creative Power)
“The valley spirit never dies—It is called the Mysterious Female.”
- The Dao nurtures all things without claiming ownership.
- Softness (Yin) is a source of true power.
Summary of Group 1:
- The Dao is eternal and beyond description.
- It is inexhaustible, self-sustaining, and naturally harmonious.
- Softness and receptivity are key aspects of its power.
🔹 Group 2: The Nature of Opposites, Governance, and Balance (Verses 2, 3, 5, 7)
Theme: Understanding Dualities and the Way of Leadership
These verses discuss the interplay of opposites and how a leader should rule in harmony with the Dao.
🔹 Verse 2: The Interdependence of Opposites
“When the world recognizes beauty as beauty,
Ugliness arises.”
- Dualities define each other—good cannot exist without bad, success without failure.
- Harmony comes from accepting opposites, not fighting them.
🔹 Verse 3: Non-Interference in Leadership
“Do not exalt the worthy, so the people will not compete.”
- A wise leader does not create divisions—they rule with simplicity.
- Less interference leads to greater harmony.
🔹 Verse 5: The Impartiality of Nature and the Sage
“Heaven and Earth are not benevolent;
They treat all things as straw dogs.”
- The Dao does not play favorites—it follows natural rhythms.
- Wise leaders act without attachment, treating all equally.
🔹 Verse 7: Selflessness in Leadership
“The reason Heaven and Earth last so long is because they do not live for themselves.”
- The best leaders serve without seeking personal gain.
- Putting oneself last paradoxically leads to true influence.
Summary of Group 2:
- Opposites are natural—embracing them leads to wisdom.
- Good leadership means governing with humility and non-interference.
- Rulers should serve rather than dominate.
🔹 Group 3: Personal Conduct, Moderation, and Letting Go (Verses 8, 9, 10)
Theme: How to Live with Virtue and Know When to Let Go
These verses focus on how individuals should conduct themselves in harmony with the Dao, emphasizing flexibility, moderation, and non-attachment.
🔹 Verse 8: The Way of Water (Living with Virtue)
“The highest goodness is like water.”
- Be adaptable, humble, and nourishing—like water.
- Flow rather than force, and act without contention.
🔹 Verse 9: The Danger of Excess (Knowing When to Stop)
“Holding and filling to the brim—better to stop in time.”
- Overpushing leads to collapse—knowing when to stop is wisdom.
- Letting go at the right time prevents destruction.
🔹 Verse 10: Profound Virtue (Leading and Living Without Attachment)
“Giving birth and nourishing, yet not possessing.
Acting but not depending on results.
Leading but not controlling.”
- True influence comes from letting things unfold naturally.
- Serve, create, and guide—without attachment to the outcome.
Summary of Group 3:
- Live gently, humbly, and without force (like water).
- Know when to push forward and when to let go.
- The highest virtue is to act selflessly and without attachment.
Final Categorization: Three Pillars of Daoist Wisdom
| Category | Verses | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Nature of the Dao | 1, 4, 6 | The Dao is infinite, inexpressible, and the source of all things. |
| 2. The Nature of Opposites and Governance | 2, 3, 5, 7 | Understanding duality and ruling through humility and non-interference. |
| 3. Personal Conduct and Letting Go | 8, 9, 10 | Living virtuously, knowing when to act, and when to let go. |
Conclusion: A Guide to Life, Leadership, and Wisdom
Group 1 (Verses 1, 4, 6) → Understanding the Dao
🌿 Recognizing the Dao as the formless, infinite source of all things.
Group 2 (Verses 2, 3, 5, 7) → Balancing Dualities and Leadership
🌿 Accepting opposites, leading with humility, and governing through non-interference.
Group 3 (Verses 8, 9, 10) → Living with Virtue and Knowing When to Let Go
🌿 Living simply, flowing like water, and stepping back when the time is right.
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