Verse 49: Connecting with All

Verse Forty-Nine

A wise person is constantly without pre-conceived notions.
In that way she's able to allow the hearts of others to penetrate her own heart.
She sees those who are good as being good.
She sees those who are bad also as being good.
Her De is imbued in goodness.
She sees those who are sincere as being sincere.
She sees those who are insincere also as being sincere.
Her De is imbued in sincerity.

A wise person is affected by the whole world,
Breathing in deeply the actions of the whole world into every recess of her heart.
All the common people concentrate with their ears and eyes.
Then the wise person connects intimately with all of them.

~ Nina Correa translation ~

From my vantage point, even the most evil people in the history of the world have some good in them. Conversely, those few saints who've trod the earth have some evil in them. Having both elements is part of being human.

And so, when I read in Verse 49 that we each should treat the good person and the bad person in the same manner, I simply take it to mean that we should treat everyone with the same amount of dignity and respect. If an individual -- who is a mix of good and evil -- only treats the good person in this way, it certainly doesn't say a lot about them! You end up being no better than the so-called bad person.

In her commentary to this verse, Nina Correa writes,

When a person's heart is filled with goodness and sincerity, she sees goodness and sincerity all around her. Rather than looking for ways to condemn others or prove them to be liars, she simply accepts them as being as good and sincere as she is. If another person is bad or insincere, that doesn't really affect how she relates to them. Each person has to deal with those issues within themselves, and by seeing the goodness in others there's a possibility others will see the goodness within themselves and allow it to come forth.

In a manner of speaking, Correa is referring to the idea of "pay it forward". When each of us treats others with respect, it can cause a ripple effect that reaches far and wide. It will most likely touch lives that we're unaware of. Just as important, it will touch our own life in ways we can't fathom.

Another way to express this sentiment comes from Diane Dreher.

Living the Tao combines purpose with detachment. Tao people express what the Chinese call pu shih, accepting all that comes in the rhythm of life.

In the end, we have no control over anyone but ourselves. When we shed our prejudices, bias and preconceived notions, we encounter each person anew. If we interact with them as if there's a clean slate, the default position for most people is to treat others with respect and sincerity.

This is not to suggest that any of us should allow ourselves to be bullied and victimized. A person can be respectful and sincere, yet still be firm and resolute. Too often, people like to treat Taoist maxims like this as if each is a call for passivity. While being passive is a needed component of life, it is not called for in every situation.

Remember that water always seeks the lowest point, but rushing water can be far from passive!

This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.