Wen Tzu - Verse 17

Verse Seventeen

Those whose spirits are scattered are flowery in their speech. Those whose virtue is wiped out are hypocritical in their actions. When vitality sprouts within so that speech and action are visible in the outside world, then one cannot avoid serving things with one's body.

Vitality can be exhausted by sadness, but there is no end to activity: if what you hold to is uncertain, in the external world you will indulge indiscriminately in worldly fashions.

Therefore sages inwardly cultivate the arts of the Way and do not put on an external show of humanitarianism and dutifulness. To know what is good for the senses and the body and roam in the harmony of the vital spirit is the roaming of the sage.

~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~

If a boat is not anchored, it will drift aimlessly in the waves and it stands a good chance of being damaged beyond repair. If a tree has a weak root system, it can be easily knocked down by strong winds or unearthed by heavy rains or earthquakes. People are like boats and trees; when we don't stand for something, we're likely to fall for anything.

People who do not understand their own nature are all surface with no depth. They live lives following every popular trend or fad. They are unprincipled and believe the means justifies their ends. Lacking depth, everything they do is to impress or manipulate the opinions of others.

The Tao person, on the other hand, is firmly anchored and rooted in the Way. They aren't showy and their actions may seem out of kilter with popular society. They know an inner peace that cannot be shattered.

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