Section 21
Chapter 21 explained simply
Tao Te Ching by Laozi
Original excerpt
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The grandest forms of active force From Tao come, their only source. Who can of Tao the nature tell? Our sight it flies, our touch as well. Eluding sight, eluding touch, The forms of things all in it crouch; Eluding touch, eluding sight, There are their semblances, all right. Profound it is, dark…
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21.
The grandest forms of active force
From Tao come, their only source.
Who can of Tao the nature tell?
Our sight it flies, our touch as well.
Eluding sight, eluding touch,
The forms of things all in it crouch;
Eluding touch, eluding sight,
There are their semblances, all right.
Profound it is, dark and obscure;
Things' essences all there endure.
Those essences the truth enfold
Of what, when seen, shall then be told.
Now it is so; 'twas so of old.
Its name--what passes not away;
So, in their beautiful array,
Things form and never know decay.
How know I that it is so with all the beauties of existing things? By
this (nature of the Tao).
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Simple English explanation
True virtue follows the unseen way. Trust the deep pattern even when it is hard to describe. Only accepting what is obvious can make life shallow.
1-minute summary
Chapter 21 explains that true virtue follows the unseen way. In practice, trust the deep pattern even when it is hard to describe. It also warns that only accepting what is obvious can make life shallow. The useful lesson is to make the wise move early, while the situation is still small enough to guide.
Key takeaways
- True virtue follows the unseen way.
- Trust the deep pattern even when it is hard to describe.
- Only accepting what is obvious can make life shallow.
- Use the idea in one concrete decision today.
Modern example
A coach trusts consistent practice before visible results appear.
For kids
Choose the simple, kind, and steady way when things feel confusing.