Wen Tzu - Verse 74, Part I

from Verse Seventy-Four

Develop it, nurture it, foster it, mature it. Universal benefit without discrimination is one with heaven and earth, this is called virtue.

~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~

Verse 74 discusses the various ways and manners we can comport ourselves that mirror the Way. The first among these is the way of virtue.

Air, sun, wind and rain are made available to all life forms. Some receive more and some receive less, but the amount is based on a wide variety of naturally-based criteria such as geography, terrain, and climate. None are plentifully provided or stingily withheld based on the thoughts, actions and/or behavior of the life forms themselves.

If we wish to embrace the Way, we would be well to follow the pattern of nature. Instead of being generous only to those who are generous or kind only to those who are kind, we should be generous and kind to all.

Discrimination serves the ego; non-discrimination serves Tao.

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