Section 12
Chapter 12 explained simply
Tao Te Ching by Laozi
Original excerpt
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1. Colour's five hues from th' eyes their sight will take; Music's five notes the ears as deaf can make; The flavours five deprive the mouth of taste; The chariot course, and the wild hunting waste Make mad the mind; and objects rare and strange, Sought for, men's conduct will to evil change. 2.…
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12.
1.
Colour's five hues from th' eyes their sight will take;
Music's five notes the ears as deaf can make;
The flavours five deprive the mouth of taste;
The chariot course, and the wild hunting waste
Make mad the mind; and objects rare and strange,
Sought for, men's conduct will to evil change.
2. Therefore the sage seeks to satisfy (the craving of) the belly, and
not the (insatiable longing of the) eyes. He puts from him the
latter, and prefers to seek the former.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
Simple English explanation
Too much stimulation dulls the heart. Choose enough over constant novelty. Chasing every pleasure can weaken attention.
1-minute summary
Chapter 12 explains that too much stimulation dulls the heart. In practice, choose enough over constant novelty. It also warns that chasing every pleasure can weaken attention. The useful lesson is to make the wise move early, while the situation is still small enough to guide.
Key takeaways
- Too much stimulation dulls the heart.
- Choose enough over constant novelty.
- Chasing every pleasure can weaken attention.
- Use the idea in one concrete decision today.
Modern example
A student turns off notifications to read deeply.
For kids
Choose the simple, kind, and steady way when things feel confusing.