Chapter 27 of Laozi's Tao Te Ching explains through analogies that the characteristic of 'goodness' (善) that follows the Tao is that it is accomplished naturally, without revealing artificial effort, and as a result, it leaves no flaws and achieves perfect efficacy. This goodness leads to the attitude of the sage (聖人), who does not abandon any being but utilizes the potential usefulness of all. It also offers the profound insight that even an 'unskillful person' can serve as a 'resource' for learning for a 'skillful person.'
📖 Table of Contents
- ✨ Introduction
- 📜 Original Text (原文)
- 📃 Meaning of the Original Text
- 🌲 Line-by-Line Translation
- 💧 Verse-by-Verse Commentary and Interpretation
- 善行無轍迹 (shàn xíng wú zhé jì)
- 善言無瑕讁 (shàn yán wú xiá zhé)
- 善數不用籌策 (shàn shù bù yòng chóu cè)
- 善閉無關楗而不可開 (shàn bì wú guān jiàn ér bù kě kāi)
- 善結無繩約而不可解 (shàn jié wú shéng yuē ér bù kě jiě)
- 是以聖人 常善救人 故無棄人 (shì yǐ shèngrén, cháng shàn jiù rén, gù wú qì rén)
- 常善救物 故無棄物 (cháng shàn jiù wù, gù wú qì wù)
- 是謂襲明 (shì wèi xí míng)
- 故善人者 不善人之師 (gù shàn rén zhě, bù shàn rén zhī shī)
- 不善人者 善人之資 (bù shàn rén zhě, shàn rén zhī zī)
- 不貴其師 不愛其資 (bù guì qí shī, bù ài qí zī)
- 雖智大迷 (suī zhì dà mí)
- 是謂玄妙 (shì wèi xuán miào)
- 🌳 Overall Interpretation
- 🌟 The Meaning and Importance of Chapter 27
📜 Original Text (原文)
善行無轍迹
善言無瑕讁
善數不用籌策
善閉無關楗而不可開
善結無繩約而不可解
是以聖人 常善救人 故無棄人
常善救物 故無棄物
是謂襲明
故善人者 不善人之師
不善人者 善人之資
不貴其師 不愛其資
雖智大迷
是謂玄妙
📃 Meaning of the Original Text
A skillful traveler leaves no tracks.
A skillful speaker leaves no flaws to be found.
A skillful reckoner uses no counting tools.
A skillful closer needs no bolts or bars, yet no one can open what is shut.
A skillful binder uses no ropes or knots, yet no one can undo what is bound.
Therefore the sage is always skillful at saving people, so no one is abandoned.
He is always skillful at saving things, so nothing is abandoned.
This is called 'following the inner light.'
Therefore, the skillful person is the teacher of the unskillful.
The unskillful person is the resource of the skillful.
If one does not value the teacher, or does not cherish the resource,
though one may be wise, one is greatly deluded.
This is called the Profound Mystery.
🌲 Line-by-Line Translation
善行無轍迹 (shàn xíng wú zhé jì)
A skillful traveler leaves no tracks.
善言無瑕讁 (shàn yán wú xiá zhé)
A skillful speaker leaves no flaws to be found.
善數不用籌策 (shàn shù bù yòng chóu cè)
A skillful reckoner uses no counting tools.
善閉無關楗而不可開 (shàn bì wú guān jiàn ér bù kě kāi)
A skillful closer needs no bolts or bars, yet no one can open what is shut.
善結無繩約而不可解 (shàn jié wú shéng yuē ér bù kě jiě)
A skillful binder uses no ropes or knots, yet no one can undo what is bound.
是以聖人 常善救人 故無棄人 (shì yǐ shèngrén, cháng shàn jiù rén, gù wú qì rén)
Therefore the sage is always skillful at saving people, so no one is abandoned.
常善救物 故無棄物 (cháng shàn jiù wù, gù wú qì wù)
He is always skillful at saving things, so nothing is abandoned.
是謂襲明 (shì wèi xí míng)
This is called 'following the inner light.'
故善人者 不善人之師 (gù shàn rén zhě, bù shàn rén zhī shī)
Therefore, the skillful person is the teacher of the unskillful.
不善人者 善人之資 (bù shàn rén zhě, shàn rén zhī zī)
The unskillful person is the resource of the skillful.
不貴其師 不愛其資 (bù guì qí shī, bù ài qí zī)
If one does not value the teacher, or does not cherish the resource,
雖智大迷 (suī zhì dà mí)
though one may be wise, one is greatly deluded.
是謂玄妙 (shì wèi xuán miào)
This is called the Profound Mystery.
💧 Verse-by-Verse Commentary and Interpretation (逐句解說與解釋)
1. 善行無轍迹 (shàn xíng wú zhé jì)
o Literal Meaning: Skillful action leaves no tracks.
o Commentary: '善行' (shàn xíng) means 'skillful action,' that which is done naturally and adeptly according to the Tao, distinct from conventional moral goodness. '無轍迹' (wú zhé jì) means 'to have no (無) wheel tracks (轍迹).' Just as a heavy cart leaves deep ruts, actions involving artificial force or effort leave traces.
o Interpretation: Action that is performed naturally and skillfully in accordance with the Tao leaves no trace, as if nothing had been done. This is an analogy for a state of perfect action where artificial effort is not apparent and everything flows naturally.
2. 善言無瑕讁 (shàn yán wú xiá zhé)
o Literal Meaning: Skillful speech leaves no flaws to be found.
o Commentary: '善言' (shàn yán) means 'skillful speech,' speaking naturally, truthfully, and timely according to the Tao. '無瑕讁' (wú xiá zhé) means 'to have no (無) flaw (瑕) or blame (讁).' '瑕' (xiá) is a minor defect, like a flaw in jade, and '讁' (zhé) means criticism or reprimand.
o Interpretation: Speech that flows naturally from the Tao is free from artificial embellishment or ulterior motives, thus it has no flaws. It is so truthful and appropriate that it cannot be an object of criticism or blame.
3. 善數不用籌策 (shàn shù bù yòng chóu cè)
o Literal Meaning: A skillful reckoner uses no counting tools.
o Commentary: '善數' (shàn shù) means 'skillful counting' or 'skillful reckoning,' implying the ability to grasp the principles of things beyond simple calculation. '不用籌策' (bù yòng chóu cè) means 'does not use (不用) counting tools (籌策).' '籌策' (chóu cè) refers to ancient counting rods or an abacus, representing a reliance on artificial tools and complex methods.
o Interpretation: The ability to properly grasp the principles of things or to understand the essence of all beings does not rely on artificial tools or complex calculation, but is achieved through intuition and insight based on the Tao.
4. 善閉無關楗而不可開 (shàn bì wú guān jiàn ér bù kě kāi)
o Literal Meaning: A skillful closer needs no bolts or bars, yet no one can open what is shut.
o Commentary: '善閉' (shàn bì) means 'skillful closing,' referring to securely sealing or protecting something. '無關楗' (wú guān jiàn) means 'to have no (無) bolt or bar (關楗).' '而不可開' (ér bù kě kāi) means 'and yet (而) it cannot be opened (不可開).'
o Interpretation: This is an analogy for creating a state of perfect closure or protection that is so secure it cannot be breached by any means, even without using physical devices like bolts and bars. It suggests that true security and stability can be achieved not through physical force or systems, but through inner integrity or essential harmony.
5. 善結無繩約而不可解 (shàn jié wú shéng yuē ér bù kě jiě)
o Literal Meaning: A skillful binder uses no ropes or knots, yet no one can undo what is bound.
o Commentary: '善結' (shàn jié) means 'skillful binding,' referring to securely connecting things or forming relationships. '無繩約' (wú shéng yuē) means 'to have no (無) rope or contract (繩約).' '繩約' (shéng yuē) refers to physical ropes or artificial connections like promises and contracts between people. '而不可解' (ér bù kě jiě) means 'and yet (而) it cannot be undone (不可解).'
o Interpretation: This is an analogy for forming a powerful connection or relationship that is so firm it cannot be broken, even without using artificial means like ropes or documented promises. It suggests that trust, natural intimacy, and essential harmony based on the Tao can form a bond far stronger than any artificial contract.
6. 是以聖人 常善救人 故無棄人 (shì yǐ shèngrén, cháng shàn jiù rén, gù wú qì rén)
o Literal Meaning: Therefore the sage is always skillful at saving people, so no one is abandoned.
o Commentary: '是以' (shì yǐ) means 'for this reason,' because of the principles of 'traceless goodness' explained above. '聖人' (shèngrén) is the one who has embodied the Tao. '常善救人' (cháng shàn jiù rén) means 'always (常) skillfully (善) saves/helps/utilizes (救) people.' Here, '救' (jiù) goes beyond simple rescue to mean recognizing the potential value in all people and helping them fulfill their roles. '故無棄人' (gù wú qì rén) means 'therefore (故) there are no (無) abandoned people (棄人).'
o Interpretation: Because the sage who follows the Tao acts in this natural, traceless manner, they can recognize the potential and usefulness in all people, saving or utilizing everyone without abandoning anyone. This shows the sage's inclusive attitude, which does not marginalize or deem anyone useless.
7. 常善救物 故無棄物 (cháng shàn jiù wù, gù wú qì wù)
o Literal Meaning: He is always skillful at saving things, so nothing is abandoned.
o Commentary: '常善救物' (cháng shàn jiù wù) means 'always (常) skillfully (善) saves/utilizes (救) things (物).' '故無棄物' (gù wú qì wù) means 'therefore (故) there are no (無) abandoned things (棄物).'
o Interpretation: The sage recognizes the potential value and usefulness not only in people but in all things in the world, saving or utilizing them all without waste. From the perspective of the Tao, everything has its own use, and the sage helps to realize that use.
8. 是謂襲明 (shì wèi xí míng)
o Literal Meaning: This is called 'following the inner light.'
o Commentary: '是謂' (shì wèi) means 'this is called.' In '襲明' (xí míng), '襲' (xí) can mean to inherit, to practice, or to cover/conceal (like putting on clothes). '明' (míng) means brightness, intelligence, wisdom, or insight. Thus, it can be interpreted as 'inherited brightness,' 'practiced brightness,' or 'hidden illumination.' It suggests the sage's wisdom is not outwardly displayed but is internalized or naturally acquired.
o Interpretation: The sage's ability to save and utilize all people and things comes not from a showy wisdom but from a profound insight—a 'hidden illumination'—that is deeply internalized or naturally mastered through long practice.
9. 故善人者 不善人之師 (gù shàn rén zhě, bù shàn rén zhī shī)
o Literal Meaning: Therefore, the skillful person is the teacher of the unskillful.
o Commentary: '故' (gù) means 'therefore.' '善人者' (shàn rén zhě) refers to the person who follows the Tao, the sage. '不善人者' (bù shàn rén zhě) refers to the person who does not follow the Tao, one who lives a worldly and artificial life. '之師' (zhī shī) means 'the teacher of.'
o Interpretation: The 'skillful person' who follows the Tao becomes a 'teacher' for the 'unskillful,' not by direct instruction, but by their very way of living in accordance with the Tao, which serves as a model and a source of learning.
10. 不善人者 善人之資 (bù shàn rén zhě, shàn rén zhī zī)
o Literal Meaning: The unskillful person is the resource of the skillful.
o Commentary: '不善人者' (bù shàn rén zhě) is the unskillful person. '善人之資' (shàn rén zhī zī) means 'the resource/material/source of learning (資) for the skillful person (善人).' '資' (zī) can mean wealth, capital, resource, basis, or lesson.
o Interpretation: The 'unskillful person,' who acts foolishly or wrongly by not following the Tao, serves as a valuable 'resource' for the 'skillful person.' They become a teacher by negative example, showing the consequences of a life straying from the Tao, thereby helping the skillful person to reflect and deepen their own understanding. This shows that all beings are interconnected and provide learning opportunities for each other.
11. 不貴其師 不愛其資 (bù guì qí shī, bù ài qí zī)
o Literal Meaning: If one does not value the teacher, or does not cherish the resource,
o Commentary: '不貴其師' (bù guì qí shī) means 'to not (不) value (貴) one's (其) teacher (師).' '不愛其資' (bù ài qí zī) means 'to not (不) cherish (愛) one's (其) resource (資).' '其師' (qí shī) refers to the 'skillful person' (the model to learn from), and '其資' (qí zī) refers to the 'unskillful person' (the lesson to learn from).
o Interpretation: If one fails to understand and value the 'teacher' (the skillful person) one should learn from, and does not try to learn and reflect from the 'resource' (the mistakes of the unskillful person), then...
12. 雖智大迷 (suī zhì dà mí)
o Literal Meaning: though one may be wise, one is greatly deluded.
o Commentary: '雖智' (suī zhì) means 'although (雖) one is wise (智).' Here, '智' (zhì) refers to worldly knowledge, cleverness, or intelligence. '大迷' (dà mí) means 'to be greatly (大) deluded/confused/lost (迷).'
o Interpretation: No matter how intelligent or knowledgeable one is in a worldly sense, if one does not try to learn and reflect from all beings in the world, then from the perspective of the Tao, this is not true wisdom but a state of being fundamentally deluded and having lost the true way.
13. 是謂玄妙 (shì wèi xuán miào)
o Literal Meaning: This is called the Profound Mystery.
o Commentary: '是謂玄妙' (shì wèi xuán miào) means 'this (是) is called (謂) profound and subtle (玄妙).' 'This' refers to the entire principle of the Tao explained in this chapter. '玄妙' (xuán miào) denotes a truth so deep and subtle that it is difficult to grasp easily.
o Interpretation: The chapter concludes by stating that all these principles—that natural, traceless goodness brings forth the potential of all things, that even good and not-good provide learning opportunities for each other, and that worldly wisdom without this understanding is mere delusion—are a profound and subtle truth that cannot be fathomed by shallow human knowledge.
🌳 Overall Interpretation
The twenty-seventh chapter speaks of true, unseen goodness and the usefulness of all things.
Truly 'skillful action' (善行) is accomplished naturally, without the visible effort of artificial traces. Truly 'skillful speech' (善言) is free from embellishment or ulterior motive, leaving no flaw or cause for blame. Truly 'skillful reckoning' (善數) sees through the principles of things without complex tools. Truly 'skillful closing' (善閉) is so secure that no one can open it, even without artificial locks. Truly 'skillful binding' (善結) forms a bond so strong that no one can undo it, even without artificial means like ropes or promises.
The sage, who acts according to the Tao in this natural and traceless way, is different. The sage always recognizes the potential in all people and saves them from being wasted, so no one is abandoned. Likewise, the sage always recognizes the potential value in all things and utilizes them, so nothing is abandoned.
This can be called the 'hidden illumination,' a profound insight that is not outwardly apparent.
How then should we view the people of the world? The 'skillful person' who follows the Tao, by their very way of living, becomes a 'teacher' for the 'unskillful person' who has strayed from it. Conversely, the 'unskillful person,' who acts foolishly or wrongly, becomes a valuable 'resource' for the 'skillful person' by serving as a negative example, showing the harms of a life detached from the Tao and allowing for self-reflection.
However, if someone does not properly value the 'teacher' (the skillful person) who serves as a model, and does not try to learn from the 'resource' (the mistakes of the unskillful person), then no matter how intelligent or knowledgeable they are in a worldly sense, they are, from the Tao's perspective, truly and greatly deluded and have lost the way.
Thus, the principle that natural goodness gives life to all, and that even goodness and its absence provide mutual learning, is a profound and subtle truth that cannot be fathomed by shallow human knowledge.
🌟 The Meaning and Importance of Chapter 27
Chapter 27 presents the following core ideas:
- The Nature of 'Goodness' (善): In Taoist thought, 'goodness' refers to perfect and effective action (善行, 善言, etc.) that is accomplished naturally, without visible artificial effort or embellishment. This is explained through analogies like 'no tracks,' 'no flaws,' 'no counting tools,' 'no bolts,' and 'no ropes.'
- The Sage's Inclusiveness and Utilization: Through this 'traceless goodness,' the sage who has embodied the Tao recognizes the potential value and usefulness in all people and things, saving and utilizing them all without abandonment (常善救人, 常善救物). This reflects the inclusive nature of the Tao towards all creation.
- The Relationship Between the 'Skillful' and 'Unskillful': It shows through the paradoxical relationship—where the skillful person is a teacher and the unskillful is a resource—that all beings in the world provide opportunities for mutual learning and growth. From the perspective of the Tao, nothing is useless.
- True Wisdom vs. Worldly Knowledge: It warns that worldly knowledge (智) alone can lead to delusion if one fails to achieve true learning (from the teacher and the resource), emphasizing the importance of a fundamental insight ('襲明') and a learning attitude based on the Tao.
- The Profound Mystery (玄妙): It presents this subtle working of the Tao and the interconnectedness of all things as a 'profound and subtle truth' that is difficult to grasp with shallow human knowledge.
Chapter 27 is a chapter that delves deeply into the important concepts of Wu Wei (non-action) and Ziran (naturalness) in Taoist thought, as well as the equality and interconnectedness of all things. Instead of focusing on outward achievements or efficiency, it provides the profound insight that a natural way has true efficacy, and that all beings possess their own usefulness and value, offering learning opportunities to one another.
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