Chapter 67 of Laozi's Tao Te Ching discusses the 'Three Treasures' possessed by one who follows the Tao. It explains how these treasures lead to ultimate strength, expansiveness, and the quality of a true leader. These three treasures are 'Compassion (慈),' 'Frugality (儉),' and 'Not Daring to be First in the World (不敢為天下先),' which are related to natural virtue (德) rather than artificial power or competition. The chapter presents these virtues as the foundation of a Taoist life and governance.
📖 Table of Contents
- ✨ Introduction
- 📜 Original Text (原文)
- 📃 Meaning of the Original Text
- 🌲 Line-by-Line Translation
- 💧 Verse-by-Verse Commentary and Interpretation
- 我有三寶 持而保之 (wǒ yǒu sān bǎo, chí ér bǎo zhī)
- 一曰慈 (yī yuē cí)
- 二曰儉 (èr yuē jiǎn)
- 三曰不敢為天下先 (sān yuē bù gǎn wéi tiān xià xiān)
- 慈故能勇 (cí gù néng yǒng)
- 儉故能廣 (jiǎn gù néng guǎng)
- 不敢為天下先故能成器長 (bù gǎn wéi tiān xià xiān gù néng chéng qì zhǎng)
- 今舍慈且勇 舍儉且廣 舍後且先 死矣夫 (jīn shě cí qiě yǒng, shě jiǎn qiě guǎng, shě hòu qiě xiān, sǐ yǐ fū)
- 夫慈以戰則勝 以守則固 天將救之 以慈衛之 (fū cí yǐ zhàn zé shèng, yǐ shǒu zé gù. tiān jiāng jiù zhī, yǐ cí wèi zhī)
- 🌳 Overall Interpretation
- 🌟 The Meaning and Importance of Chapter 67
📜 Original Text (原文)
我有三寶 持而保之
一曰慈
二曰儉
三曰不敢為天下先
慈故能勇
儉故能廣
不敢為天下先故能成器長
今舍慈且勇
舍儉且廣
舍後且先
死矣夫
夫慈以戰則勝 以守則固
天將救之 以慈衛之
📃 Meaning of the Original Text
I have three treasures, which I hold and protect.
The first is called compassion.
The second is called frugality.
The third is called not daring to be first in the world.
Because of compassion, one can be courageous.
Because of frugality, one can be generous.
Because of not daring to be first in the world, one can become the leader of all things.
Now, to abandon compassion in pursuit of courage,
To abandon frugality in pursuit of generosity,
To abandon being last in pursuit of being first,
This is the path to death!
For with compassion, one is victorious in battle and secure in defense.
Heaven will come to its rescue; it will protect it with compassion.
🌲 Line-by-Line Translation
我有三寶 持而保之 (wǒ yǒu sān bǎo, chí ér bǎo zhī)
I have three treasures, which I hold and protect.
一曰慈 (yī yuē cí)
The first is called compassion.
二曰儉 (èr yuē jiǎn)
The second is called frugality.
三曰不敢為天下先 (sān yuē bù gǎn wéi tiān xià xiān)
The third is called not daring to be first in the world.
慈故能勇 (cí gù néng yǒng)
Because of compassion, one can be courageous.
儉故能廣 (jiǎn gù néng guǎng)
Because of frugality, one can be generous.
不敢為天下先故能成器長 (bù gǎn wéi tiān xià xiān gù néng chéng qì zhǎng)
Because of not daring to be first in the world, one can become the leader of all things.
今舍慈且勇 舍儉且廣 舍後且先 死矣夫 (jīn shě cí qiě yǒng, shě jiǎn qiě guǎng, shě hòu qiě xiān, sǐ yǐ fū)
Now, to abandon compassion in pursuit of courage, to abandon frugality in pursuit of generosity, to abandon being last in pursuit of being first, this is the path to death!
夫慈以戰則勝 以守則固 天將救之 以慈衛之 (fū cí yǐ zhàn zé shèng, yǐ shǒu zé gù. tiān jiāng jiù zhī, yǐ cí wèi zhī)
For with compassion, one is victorious in battle and secure in defense. Heaven will come to its rescue; it will protect it with compassion.
💧 Verse-by-Verse Commentary and Interpretation (逐句解說與解釋)
1. 我有三寶 持而保之 (wǒ yǒu sān bǎo, chí ér bǎo zhī)
o Literal Meaning: I have three treasures, which I hold and protect.
o Commentary: '我' (wǒ) refers to Laozi himself or a sage who follows the Tao. '有三寶' (yǒu sān bǎo) means 'to have (有) three treasures (三寶).' '寶' (bǎo) signifies something precious, valuable, and fundamental. '持而保之' (chí ér bǎo zhī) means 'to hold (持) and protect (保) them (之).' '持' (chí) implies cherishing and practicing them, while '保' (bǎo) means to maintain them without loss.
o Interpretation: This is a declaration that introduces the three core values that must be considered most fundamental and precious in a life that follows the Tao. These three are not material objects but inner virtues.
2. 一曰慈 (yī yuē cí)
o Literal Meaning: The first is called compassion.
o Commentary: '一曰慈' (yī yuē cí) means 'the first (一) is called (曰) compassion/gentleness/love (慈).' '慈' (cí) signifies a loving heart, benevolence, and compassion. Beyond mere emotional love, it can refer to the universal love of the Tao, which treats all things impartially and without harm.
o Interpretation: The first treasure of the Tao is a fundamental 'compassion' that seeks to benefit all things without favoritism. This is connected to the nature of the Tao, which gives birth to and nurtures all things.
3. 二曰儉 (èr yuē jiǎn)
o Literal Meaning: The second is called frugality.
o Commentary: '二曰儉' (èr yuē jiǎn) means 'the second (二) is called (曰) frugality/moderation (儉).' '儉' (jiǎn) means to conserve, to save, to reduce consumption, and to restrain artificial desires and waste.
o Interpretation: The second treasure is 'frugality,' which involves reducing artificial desires and waste, taking only what is necessary, and conforming to the natural flow. This is the Taoist spirit of self-restraint and desirelessness emphasized in other chapters.
4. 三曰不敢為天下先 (sān yuē bù gǎn wéi tiān xià xiān)
o Literal Meaning: The third is called not daring to be first in the world.
o Commentary: '三曰不敢為天下先' (sān yuē bù gǎn wéi tiān xià xiān) means 'the third (三) is called (曰) not (不) daring (敢) to be first (為先) in the world (天下).' This phrase signifies an attitude of not competing to get ahead of others, not putting one's own interests first, and not showing off to stand out.
o Interpretation: The third treasure is humility—abandoning the competitive spirit, lowering oneself, and standing behind other beings. This is a practical expression of 'non-contention' (不爭) and connects to the paradoxical principle of the Tao, where lowering oneself leads to becoming preeminent.
5. 慈故能勇 (cí gù néng yǒng)
o Literal Meaning: Because of compassion, one can be courageous.
o Commentary: '慈故能勇' (cí gù néng yǒng) means 'because of (故) compassion (慈), one can be (能) courageous (勇).' Here, '勇' (yǒng) refers not to recklessness or aggressive bravery, but to inner strength and the courage to do what is right and protect oneself without fear.
o Interpretation: True compassion becomes the source of genuine courage, enabling one to act for the benefit and protection of all things, rather than retreating out of self-interest or fear. It shows that compassion and courage are not separate but interconnected.
6. 儉故能廣 (jiǎn gù néng guǎng)
o Literal Meaning: Because of frugality, one can be generous.
o Commentary: '儉故能廣' (jiǎn gù néng guǎng) means 'because of (故) frugality (儉), one can be (能) broad/generous (廣).' Here, '廣' (guǎng) does not mean an abundance of material possessions, but rather a spaciousness of mind, inclusiveness, and a broadness of influence.
o Interpretation: By practicing frugality and reducing artificial desires and waste, one gains peace of mind and freedom from unnecessary attachments, allowing one to see the world broadly and embrace it. This implies an inner abundance rather than material lack.
7. 不敢為天下先故能成器長 (bù gǎn wéi tiān xià xiān gù néng chéng qì zhǎng)
o Literal Meaning: Because of not daring to be first in the world, one can become the leader of all things.
o Commentary: The first part is the third treasure. '故能成器長' (gù néng chéng qì zhǎng) means 'therefore (故) one can (能) become (成) the chief (長) of vessels (器).' '器' (qì) can mean vessel, tool, talent, or ability. '長' (zhǎng) means leader or chief. This implies that lowering oneself and being gentle is the source of ultimate leadership.
o Interpretation: It emphasizes that by adopting an attitude of lowering oneself and standing behind others instead of artificially trying to get ahead, one paradoxically allows one's talents and virtues to shine naturally, becoming the leader of all—a true leader. This aligns with the principle that one who does not contend can overcome all things.
8. 今舍慈且勇 舍儉且廣 舍後且先 死矣夫 (jīn shě cí qiě yǒng, shě jiǎn qiě guǎng, shě hòu qiě xiān, sǐ yǐ fū)
o Literal Meaning: Now, to abandon compassion in pursuit of courage, to abandon frugality in pursuit of generosity, to abandon being last in pursuit of being first, this is the path to death!
o Commentary: '今' (jīn) refers to the current state of affairs. '舍...且...' (shě...qiě...) means 'to abandon...and yet pursue...' '舍慈且勇' (shě cí qiě yǒng): abandoning compassion to pursue reckless courage. '舍儉且廣' (shě jiǎn qiě guǎng): abandoning frugality to pursue breadth through waste and greed. '舍後且先' (shě hòu qiě xiān): abandoning being last (humility) to forcefully push to be first (competition). '死矣夫' (sǐ yǐ fū) means 'will die' (死), with '矣夫' (yǐ fū) being emphatic particles conveying a strong, certain warning.
o Interpretation: This is a powerful warning that abandoning the three treasures (compassion, frugality, humility) to pursue artificial courage, superficial abundance, and forced leadership goes against the principles of the Tao and will ultimately lead to self-destruction and ruin. It highlights the danger of pursuing artificial desires.
9. 夫慈以戰則勝 以守則固 天將救之 以慈衛之 (fū cí yǐ zhàn zé shèng, yǐ shǒu zé gù. tiān jiāng jiù zhī, yǐ cí wèi zhī)
o Literal Meaning: For with compassion, one is victorious in battle and secure in defense. Heaven will come to its rescue; it will protect it with compassion.
o Commentary: '夫' (fū) is an introductory particle. '慈以戰則勝' (cí yǐ zhàn zé shèng) means 'with (以) compassion (慈) in battle (戰), one will be victorious (勝).' '以守則固' (yǐ shǒu zé gù) means 'with it in defense (守), one will be secure (固).' '天將救之' (tiān jiāng jiù zhī) means 'Heaven (天) will (將) rescue (救) it (之, compassion).' '以慈衛之' (yǐ cí wèi zhī) means 'with (以) compassion (慈), it will protect (衛) it (之).'
o Interpretation: The chapter concludes by re-emphasizing the greatness of the first treasure, 'compassion.' Compassion is not mere softness but a powerful force that ensures victory in conflict and security in defense. One who possesses such compassion is protected by the natural order (Heaven) and will be saved from any danger and eternally preserved.
🌳 Overall Interpretation
Chapter sixty-seven speaks of three precious treasures that can only be possessed by someone who follows the Tao.
"I have three treasures that I hold dear and protect. The first is 'compassion' (慈)," a heart that seeks to benefit all things without favoritism and without harm. "The second is 'frugality' (儉)," which is to reduce artificial desires and waste, taking only what is necessary. "The third is 'not daring to be first in the world' (不敢為天下先)," which is the humility to abandon artificial competition and lower oneself.
Why are these three treasures so important? Because of compassion, one can possess 'true courage' that does not retreat from any difficulty. Because of frugality, one can be free from unnecessary attachments and have 'generosity' of spirit and inclusiveness. And because of not seeking to be ahead of others but lowering oneself, one paradoxically becomes 'the leader of all people' as one's abilities and virtues shine.
However, if people were to abandon this precious compassion and pursue only reckless courage, abandon frugality and chase only superficial abundance, and abandon the humility of being last to forcefully push to be first, this goes against the principles of the Tao and will ultimately lead to 'ruin and death!'
Especially, compassion is not mere gentleness. With compassion in battle, one will 'surely be victorious,' and with compassion in defense, one will be 'perfectly secure.' One who possesses compassion, Heaven will 'come to their rescue' and 'protect them' with that very compassion.
🌟 The Meaning and Importance of Chapter 67
Chapter 67 presents the following core ideas:
- The Three Treasures (三寶): It emphasizes the importance of the core virtues of Taoist thought—compassion (慈), frugality (儉), and humility/non-contention (不敢為天下先)—by presenting them as 'three treasures.'
- The Utility of Virtue: It shows that these three virtues lead to positive and powerful outcomes: courage (勇), generosity/expansiveness (廣), and leadership (成器長). It asserts that true ability comes from inner virtue, not from artificial force or effort.
- The Danger of Pursuing Artificial Desires: It strongly warns that abandoning the three treasures to pursue artificial courage, material wealth, and forced leadership will lead to ruin (死).
- The Power of Compassion (慈): Among the three treasures, it especially highlights the importance of compassion, presenting it as the foundation for victory in conflict, security in defense, and ultimately, the protection of Heaven. This suggests the power of the Tao's universal love.
- The Practice of Wu Wei (無為) and Non-Contention (不爭): The three treasures are specific virtues that embody the core Taoist principles of Wu Wei (effortless action) and Bu Zheng (non-contention). It implies that by possessing these virtues, one receives the protection of the Tao and can endure eternally.
Chapter 67 is a significant chapter representing the ethical and practical aspects of the Tao Te Ching. It presents the three key virtues a follower of the Tao should cultivate and explains how these virtues bring about powerful and positive results in one's life and in governance. It contains the profound wisdom that true strength and sustainability can be achieved not through artificial competition and desire, but through compassion, frugality, and humility.
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