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Tao Te Ching: A Sage

Last reviewed: November 28, 2009 ~4 min read

"Tao Te Ching" is one of the ancient texts of Chinese philosophy, written in the sixth century BC by Lao Tzu. There is some controversy surrounding the authorship of this small 5,000 character book but Lao Tzu is generally believed to be the author even if the original content was not entirely his own. Lao Tzu is thus considered one of the founding fathers of Taoism, a system of belief that considers Tao as the source of all power and energy in the world. In this paper we shall focus on one aspect or one subject discussed in Tao Te Ching and this is the subject of a sage.

The sage is not an ordinary person, he is considered someone who follows Taoist principles and thus develops a unique character. This person is completely in tune with Tao power in the world and doesn't desire to dominate anyone or anything. His actions are calm but precise. And thus he is considered an ideal ruler. Tao Te Ching presents many attributes of a sage and these are discussed below.

Sage doesn't think about success too much:

A sage is someone who may strive for success but this success is not the be-all and end-all of his life. Success is good because it produces positive energy but sage doesn't dwell on success.

They succeed but do not dwell on success

It is because they do not dwell on success

That it never goes away (Chapter 2)

Sage often a different type of governance:

Since sage is also an ideal ruler in Tao Te Ching, the book suggests that a different type of governance under sage. A sage wouldn't allow people to focus on desires too much because he wouldn't assign much value or importance to material desires. Instead he will focus on providing people with enough food and making them stronger in body.

"Thus the governance of the sage:

Empties their hearts

Fills their bellies

Weakens their ambitions

Strengthens their bones." (Chapter 3)

Sage chooses the middle path:

A sage doesn't allow himself or others to follow extremes in anything. He recognizes that world is divided between haves and have-nots and hence chooses to stay on the middle path. This path is the path of Tao where all energy rests and where a person is completely at peace with himself. By avoiding extremes, a sage can avoid conflict.

"Therefore the sage:

Eliminates extremes

Eliminates excess

Eliminates arrogance" (Chapter 29)

Sage prefers Non-action:

This is the most vital attribute of a sage. The sage doesn't seek to impose or interfere and hence let people follow him on their own will. There is no compulsion in sage's rule. The sage seeks to rule people by example instead of force. He quietly observes and does and people then do the same as he wishes because they like the way the sage acts.

Therefore the sage says:

I take unattached action, and the people transform themselves

I prefer quiet, and the people right themselves

I do not interfere, and the people enrich themselves

I have no desires, and the people simplify themselves (Chapter 57)

Sage doesn't believe in ostentation:

A sage is a person of calm action which means that while he does what he must do, he does it in a way that doesn't appear "showy" or ostentatious. He seeks to accomplish without any desire for praise or reward. He seeks to do his work without looking for credit and this makes him an ideal person and ruler in Tao Te Ching.