Tao Te Ching Chapter 78-1 Water summary

Today's Tao

Nothing in the world under the sky is softer and weaker than water. (Ch.78)


If you don't know what to do, be like water.

Let's summarise the water-like attitude.


1. Believe you are influencing all like flooded water. (☞See Flooded water 34-1)

2. Give benefit to all. (☞See Water benefits all 8-2)

3. Stay at the bad place. (☞See Water stay at the bad place 8-3)

4. Believe true You are Tao. (☞See Water is close to Tao 8-4)

5. Don't compete. (☞See Water never errs 8-5)

6. Don't worry even if you feel as confused as muddy water. (☞See Muddy water 15-10)

7. Treat your hologram as if water treats a fish. (☞See Fish and Water 36-7)

8. Be soft and weak. (☞See Soft and Weak 76-6)

9. Accept all.

10. Don't resist. No resistance!


«Related Articles»
-Water summary 78-1
-Water's attack 78-2
-No change 78-3
-Be weak 78-4
-Be soft 78-5
-Everyone = You 78-6
-No one acts 78-7
-State filth 78-8
-Bad omens 78-9
-Contradiction 78-10
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 78


Lao Tzu answers your question!



☞«Tao Te Ching» Key word comparison (21) / -A famous proverb "Soften the light. Be like dust. 和光同塵" - Let's see how they translate 挫其鋭 解其紛 和其光 同其塵 in Chapter 4. The identical sentences are repeated in Chapter 56. In Tao by Matsumoto these are discussed in Chapter 56 / How to be One with Tao. / Both in «Tao Te Ching: A New English Version (Perennial Classics)», on the left, and «Tao Te Ching: An Illustrated Journey», the expression above is not found in Chapter 4. Stephen Mitchell is the translator. / "With it, the sharp edges become smooth the twisted knots loosen the sun is softened by a cloud the dust settles into place" On the right, «Tao Te Ching: The New Translation from Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition (Tarcher Cornerstone Editions)» translated by Jonathan Star.