Government of Non-interference

十四

老子

~What is Lao Tzu’s understanding of the state? What is the state for?

~What does Lao Tzu mean by government by non-interference? Would this still be government? Would it effectively meet the goals that the state was constituted to accomplish?

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If a land is ruled by a person of the Tao, then everyone and everything will be live in peace and harmony. The people will live their lives and go on their daily chores without even realising that someone, whose presence is not easily noticed but whose figure is very important is there and he is the one responsible for bringing forth such peacefulness in the land. A Taoist ruler does not command the people to do things his way. He does not interfere with the work of the people and he does not tell them what to do for his trust in them is as strong as the water within him. In turn, the people trusts him too. Because there is faith between him and them, work is done and it is done well. This they do so by following nature. Follow nature, that is, they do not take control of it because it can never be contained. 

A Taoist ruler is not one who acts lavishly nor is he one who does not lift a finger. He procures what is needed without loss nor without excess and so the people are satisfied because nothing is ever short and nothing ever goes to waste. He does not use force because he knows that there is no need for such and because he knows that force would only invite harm. He knows that if he uses force, everything will be destroyed in return. He uses weakness and gentleness to lead and by doing this he succeeds. 

The deeds of the Taoist ruler are well received by the people. Through him they become like him: a person of the Tao. By his non-action the people are inspired to follow him and so they do everything in moderation. His distaste for desire is obtained by the people and so they are simple in their ways and their words. Through his virtues the people are transformed and they too, like him, become one with nature and in harmony with each other. His virtues are his weapons for they are strong but they can never hurt someone. The virtues of a Taoist ruler can serve all and his virtues are that which aids him in being able to overcome diversities. 

Chapter 29 of the Tao Te Ching says that, “When one desires to take over the empire and act on it, I see that he will not succeed.” Why is this so? The very fact that taking over the empire is a desire, it already goes to show that this should not be. Anything that has to do with desires and gratification of the senses is shunned by Taoists and for Lao Tzu, this method will not work. Following, the Taoist philosophy is all about non-action and “taking over the empire” would mean action- it would mean that one would want to take over the empire by force. The following chapter gives us an explanation: He who assists the ruler with Tao does not dominate the world with force. The use of force usually brings requital… because whatever is contrary to Tao will soon perish. 

The use of force can also be expressed in many ways. If a ruler instills fear to the people to gain their respect and their obedience, then this is contrary to the Tao. The Taoist ruler is one who lets the people be. He does not install fear nor does he oppress them. He does not, most important, threaten them by any means. Threatening or taking lives as a form of punishment is not the way to govern a land and the people. Life is not ours and so it is not ours to take: let Heaven do its job. To rule as if you are above all is contrary to nature and contrary to Tao. It can lead to the absence of natural harmony. 

Tao Te Ching, 57

The more taboos and prohibitions there are in the world,

The poorer the people will be.

The more sharp weapons people have.

The more troubled the state will be.

The more cunning and skill man possesses,

The more vicious things will appear.

The more laws and orders are made prominent,

The more thieves and robbers there will be. 

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The Taoist Sage as Philosopher-King

十三

老子

~What does Lao Tzu mean by the philosopher-king? Why does he argue for the employment of the sage to be the ruler?

~What is the difference between a ruler who is a sage and one who is not? What advantages would the sage have over others as ruler?

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Lao Tzu considers the sage as the ideal human being and more so the philosopher-king because he is a living manifestation of the Tao. The sage is one who understands and loves the Tao and so in return the Tao is close to him.

Chan, 1963

He who understands Nature penetrates the way of the sage, and possesses the virtue of emperors and kings… The sage is tranquil not because he says to himself, “It is good to be tranquil,” and therefore became tranquil. He is tranquil because nothing disturbs him.

The philosopher-king is one who can clear up the muddy water to make way by being tranquil. Having perfected and understood the ways of nature, he is one who in in synch with her. He understands her and knows when it is time or when it is not. He hears her and he hears himself amidst all the noises in the world therefore he knows himself. He knows the Tao and so he does not give in to his desires. He is one with nature and one with his fellow man, therefore he resounds harmony- To be in harmony with men means human happiness, and to be in harmony with Nature means the happiness of Nature (Chan, 1963). The philosopher-king is aware and so he takes great care not to overflow. 

The sage is kingly and he knows how to rule. He is one with Nature and being one with Nature implies that he is in harmony with the Tao. The philosopher-king takes no action but everything is done- because by taking no action, one can be able to fulfil his duty properly. He also keeps to the black (humility) and to the white (glory), the male and the female, the yin and the yang. He embodies the water and so he is weak and gently yet he is very strong. He is like an infant, weak and helpless but full of energy and potential. A philosopher-king is an uncarved wood!

Chan, 1963

In tranquility he becomes a sage, and in activity, and in activity he becomes a king. He takes no action and is honoured. He is simple and plain and none in the world can compete with him in excellence.

And because the philosopher-king knows the black and the white, he is fit in his role as the man of the people. Like an uncarved wood, he places himself bellow them through the humbleness and sincerity of his words. He does not put himself forward just so the people will recognise and respect him. He puts himself forward to protect the people and his actions are returned when it is due. He makes his decisions directed to the Tao and never for his own personal advantage.  

Chan, 1963

When water is tranquil, its clearness reflects even the beard and the eyebrows. It remains definitely level, and master carpenters take it as their model. If water is clear when it is tranquil, how much more so is the spirit? When the mind of the sage is tranquil, it becomes the mirror of the universe and the reflection of all things. 

The philosopher king embodies with him the characteristics of non-action, non-knowing, and non-desiring (Wood, n.d.). He lives by the virtues of the Tao and lives for the benefit of nature. The philosopher-king truly is the manifestation of the Tao. 

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