Section 58
Chapter 58 explained simply
Tao Te Ching by Laozi
Original excerpt
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1. The government that seems the most unwise, Oft goodness to the people best supplies; That which is meddling, touching everything, Will work but ill, and disappointment bring. Misery!--happiness is to be found by its side! Happiness!--misery lurks beneath it! Who knows what either will come to in…
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58.
1.
The government that seems the most unwise,
Oft goodness to the people best supplies;
That which is meddling, touching everything,
Will work but ill, and disappointment bring.
Misery!--happiness is to be found by its side! Happiness!--misery
lurks beneath it! Who knows what either will come to in the end?
2. Shall we then dispense with correction? The (method of) correction
shall by a turn become distortion, and the good in it shall by a turn
become evil. The delusion of the people (on this point) has indeed
subsisted for a long time.
3. Therefore the sage is (like) a square which cuts no one (with its
angles); (like) a corner which injures no one (with its sharpness).
He is straightforward, but allows himself no license; he is bright,
but does not dazzle.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
Simple English explanation
Strictness and looseness both have hidden effects. Govern with awareness that policies can reverse into their opposite. Harsh certainty can produce misery.
1-minute summary
Chapter 58 explains that strictness and looseness both have hidden effects. In practice, govern with awareness that policies can reverse into their opposite. It also warns that harsh certainty can produce misery. The useful lesson is to make the wise move early, while the situation is still small enough to guide.
Key takeaways
- Strictness and looseness both have hidden effects.
- Govern with awareness that policies can reverse into their opposite.
- Harsh certainty can produce misery.
- Use the idea in one concrete decision today.
Modern example
A school discipline policy is reviewed for whether it actually improves behavior.
For kids
Choose the simple, kind, and steady way when things feel confusing.