Section 62
Chapter 62 explained simply
Tao Te Ching by Laozi
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
1. Tao has of all things the most honoured place. No treasures give good men so rich a grace; Bad men it guards, and doth their ill efface. 2. (Its) admirable words can purchase honour; (its) admirable deeds can raise their performer above others. Even men who are not good are not abandoned by it.…
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Public-domain original
62.
1.
Tao has of all things the most honoured place.
No treasures give good men so rich a grace;
Bad men it guards, and doth their ill efface.
2. (Its) admirable words can purchase honour; (its) admirable deeds
can raise their performer above others. Even men who are not good are
not abandoned by it.
3. Therefore when the sovereign occupies his place as the Son of
Heaven, and he has appointed his three ducal ministers, though (a
prince) were to send in a round symbol-of-rank large enough to fill
both the hands, and that as the precursor of the team of horses (in
the court-yard), such an offering would not be equal to (a lesson of)
this Tao, which one might present on his knees.
4. Why was it that the ancients prized this Tao so much? Was it not
because it could be got by seeking for it, and the guilty could escape
(from the stain of their guilt) by it? This is the reason why all
under heaven consider it the most valuable thing.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
Simple English explanation
The Tao is a refuge for imperfect people. Offer a path back instead of only punishment. Writing people off can waste the chance for repair.
1-minute summary
Chapter 62 explains that the Tao is a refuge for imperfect people. In practice, offer a path back instead of only punishment. It also warns that writing people off can waste the chance for repair. The useful lesson is to make the wise move early, while the situation is still small enough to guide.
Key takeaways
- The Tao is a refuge for imperfect people.
- Offer a path back instead of only punishment.
- Writing people off can waste the chance for repair.
- Use the idea in one concrete decision today.
Modern example
A company creates a fair mistake-reporting process so problems surface early.
For kids
Choose the simple, kind, and steady way when things feel confusing.