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@gerrit82.bsky.socialSep 10, 2026, 8:24 PM

Ellen Chen:
Entrance into the moral sphere is fittingly called shī,
loss of Dào & dé, the original carefree state of nature.

Ron Hogan is an example of someone
making the Dàoist teachings their own.

I really like his ch. 38: practical, direct, actionable.

3/3 #Dàoism #DDDJ Ch. 38

Text:
Dào Dé Jīng 38 sections 5-7/7
Ellen Chen

5. Therefore when Dào is lost, then there is dé.
When dé is lost, then there is rén (humanity).
When rén is lost, then there is yì (righteousness).
When yì is lost, then there is lǐ (propriety).

6. As to lǐ, it is the thin edge of loyalty and faithfullness,
And the beginning of disorder;
As to foreknowledge, it is the flowering of Dào,
And the beginning of stupidity (yú).

7. Thus a great person, abiding in the thick,
Does not dwell in the thin;
Abiding in the kernel,
Does not dwell in the flower.
Therefore such a person leaves that and takes this.

https://terebess.hu/english/tao/e-m-chen.html#Kap38

Derek Lin, tr. & comments:
https://terebess.hu/english/tao/DerekLin.html#Kap38
Text:
Dào Dé Jīng 38 sections 5-7/7
Ron Hogan

Righteousness is an pale imitation
of true faith and loyalty,
and always leads to trouble.
If you've already made up your mind,
you don't know the first thing about Tao,
and you never will.

The Masters pay attention
to what's beneath the surface.
They'll look at a tree's leaves,
but eat the fruit.
They turn all that down,
so they can accept this.

Ron Hogan:
https://terebess.hu/english/tao/ron.html#Kap38
@gerrit82.bsky.socialSep 10, 2026, 8:24 PM

Ellen Chen (1989, p.146, abbr.)

This chapter delineates the descending order from
Dào (the creative ground) & dé (nature),
to the struggles & warfares of the moral sphere,
through the stages of
rén (universal humanity),
yì (group righteousness), &
lǐ (ritual or propriety).

2/3 #Dàoism #DDDJ Ch. 38

Text:
Dào Dé Jīng 38 sections 3 & 4/7
Ellen Chen

3. A person of high rén (humanity) acts,
Yet such a person has no cause for action;
A person of high yì (righteousness) acts,
For such a person has cause for action.

4. A person of high propriety acts,
Yet finding no response,
Proceeds to bare the arms and throw a rope.Text:
Dào Dé Jīng 38 sections 3&4/7
Ron Hogan

When kind people act,
they do so without thinking about it.
When the just act,
they're always sure
they're doing the right thing.
But when the righteous act,
and nobody reacts,
they try to force everyone
to do things their way.

If you're not in touch with Tao,
at least you can still have integrity.
If you don't have integrity,
there's always kindness.
If you don't have kindness,
there's always justice.
If you don't have justice,
all you have left is righteousness.