from Verse ThirteenThe Way of heaven has no personal preferences or personal rejection: those who are capable have more than enough, those who are incapable have less than enough; those who follow it gain benefit, those who oppose it are unlucky.~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~
While we all may share a common thread, this does not mean we are all the same. Some people are smarter, better looking, more compassionate or more musical than others. We each have different skills and attributes.
That said, for me, this passage's use of the word capability does not equate to such things. I take it to mean that we each share the capacity to follow the Way. Those who choose to do so are deemed capable. Those who choose not to are deemed incapable -- not because they lack the innate ability or knowledge; they simply are unwilling.
In this same vein, those who do not seek benefit will receive it. Those who seek benefit will lose it. The latter will view their situation as bad luck only because they don't want to accept responsibility for their choices.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
That said, for me, this passage's use of the word capability does not equate to such things. I take it to mean that we each share the capacity to follow the Way. Those who choose to do so are deemed capable. Those who choose not to are deemed incapable -- not because they lack the innate ability or knowledge; they simply are unwilling.
In this same vein, those who do not seek benefit will receive it. Those who seek benefit will lose it. The latter will view their situation as bad luck only because they don't want to accept responsibility for their choices.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
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