Original Text
In ancient times, those who excelled in practicing the Way were subtle, profound, and far-reaching, beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. Because they were deeply hidden and unfathomable, we can only describe them with these metaphors: they were cautious, like crossing a frozen river in winter; alert, as if surrounded by powerful neighbors; reserved, like a guest; gentle, like melting ice; simple, like uncarved wood; open, like a vast valley; and tolerant, like muddy rivers. Who can remain still amidst turmoil and gradually become clear? Who can stir amidst stillness and gradually come to life? Those who hold to the essence of the Way do not seek self-satisfaction. Because they are never self-satisfied, they can renew and move forward.
Guide
Just as the Tao is profound and deep, those who attain it are also subtle, mysterious, and unfathomable. They grasp the laws of development in all things and naturally understand how to cultivate themselves and handle affairs in accordance with the Tao. Thus, the traits they exhibit closely resemble those of the Tao itself. They are cautious yet broad-minded, serious yet free-spirited, vigilant yet simple, pure yet harmonious. They remain reserved and unfathomable, never self-satisfied, and therefore can shed the old and embrace the new, continuously advancing.
Analysis
This chapter follows the previous one, offering a concrete depiction of those who embody the Way. Laozi praises such individuals as "subtle, profound, and unfathomable" because they grasp the universal laws governing the development of all things and know how to apply these laws to handle specific realities. These practitioners possess refined moral character, strong psychological resilience, and deep meditative stillness. Outwardly, they appear serene and inactive, yet inwardly they harbor immense potential; they are highly creative but choose not to reveal their brilliance. They are tranquil and deep, difficult to fathom. Thus, the spiritual realm of those who have attained the Way far surpasses what ordinary people can comprehend.
In ancient China, officials were commonly referred to as shi. If the hereditary aristocracy and the impoverished commoners formed the fixed overall framework of ancient Chinese society, then the shi constituted the most complex, dynamic, and culturally influential stratum within that framework. Laozi described those who excel in the Way as able to clarify the turbid without becoming full, and because they are not full, they can renew themselves from the worn-out, thus becoming the primary bearers of Laozi's political ideals.
To help people deeply understand the characteristics of those who follow the Dao, Laozi summarized the traits of such individuals, which we have condensed into the following nine points and will analyze one by one.
First, "Hesitant, as if crossing a frozen river in winter." Yu originally refers to a beast known for its suspicious nature. Yu xi implies a cautious and deliberate attitude. Crossing a river, trembling with fear, as if facing a deep abyss. The full meaning is that every step of a person who has attained the Way is extremely vigilant and careful, just like walking barefoot across a river in winter. As is well known, crossing a river on ice in winter is a very dangerous act; a slight misstep can cause one to slip and fall, or even fall into an ice hole and lose their life. A person who has attained the Way, no matter the circumstances, always displays a cautious attitude, just like crossing a river in winter.
The second is "cautious as if fearing the neighbors." "Cautious" describes a careful and hesitant demeanor. The full meaning is: those who have attained the Way strictly discipline themselves in daily life as if in awe of their neighbors, restraining their words and actions to avoid transgressing norms, and curbing their behavior to prevent arrogance and disturbance to others. Humans are social animals, and those who have attained the Way are no exception; they cannot exist apart from society and must establish close ties with those around them to survive. Living in isolation is not the mark of a true practitioner of the Way. When they interact with their community, conflicts inevitably arise, and how they handle these conflicts best reveals their moral outlook and life philosophy. Thus, the evaluation of their neighbors is crucial, as it most accurately reflects their moral character.
Third, "Cautious like a guest." Solemn and dignified in demeanor. This means that a person of the Way, regardless of the occasion or circumstance, always positions themselves as a guest, treating people and matters with care, seriousness, and respect, never taking daily life casually. From the essential meaning of life, everyone is a fleeting traveler on the journey of existence, an ordinary guest of nature, no different from other living beings, unable to transcend birth and death—this is the inevitable law of the Great Way. Those who attain the Way walk in step with it, adopting a humble mindset as guests, handling trivial daily affairs with seriousness, which fundamentally distinguishes them from worldly people. The worldly always regard themselves as masters of nature, inevitably treating themselves with arrogance and nature with indulgence. Such people satisfy their selfish desires at the cost of harming nature, ultimately ending in their own destruction. Laozi advocates living one's life as a guest, not as a domineering master.
Fourth, "Yielding like ice melting." Yielding means dissolving; melting means thawing, describing the process of ice turning to water, a metaphor for how a person of the Way is freed from the burdens of desires, dreams, ambitions, pursuits, and knowledge, returning to their true self, experiencing an indescribable lightness, joy, and ease. This feeling is like a river frozen all winter slowly thawing under the spring breeze, a sensation of relaxed comfort. Those who attain the Way feel this because they know how to release themselves. Laozi aptly compares the enlightenment of the Way to ice and snow melting, giving rise to natural vitality; from the perspective of the enlightened, they break through constraints to achieve self-liberation, not clinging to any one thing, free from attachments, and thus naturally at ease and carefree.
Fifth, "Be genuine and unadorned like uncarved wood." Genuineness means inner dignity and substance; outward simplicity and naturalness. The full meaning is: Those who attain the Way can easily resist external disturbances and temptations with their dignified and solid nature, thus presenting an image of returning to simplicity. The quality of being genuine and honest has always been advocated and praised by human society, and a simple and frugal lifestyle is also encouraged. People often use the phrase "unrefined gold and uncarved jade" to describe those who are unpretentious, genuine, and simple. Therefore, those who attain the Way are like unrefined gold and uncarved jade—both possessing true substance and remaining unknown.
The sixth is "vast like a valley." Vast means open and broad; valley symbolizes emptiness like a mountain hollow. The full meaning is: those who have attained the Dao have minds as expansive as a valley, empty and profound. They can tolerate filth and embrace all things, holding neither resentment nor gratitude, for they have no concept of kin or foe, and their hearts are naturally filled with kindness. This fundamentally differs from those who have not realized the great Dao, who prefer purity and detest defilement, and where distinctions exist, so do worries and calamities. Those who have attained the Dao are indifferent to filth or cleanliness, merging seamlessly with the external world, and thus feel no pain, worry, misfortune, or disaster. Without these distinctions, they appear at ease, spontaneous, and free to follow their hearts.
The seventh is "muddled, like turbid water." Muddled means blending in; turbid means murky. A person who has attained the Dao is clear-minded—the highest state of clarity is to purify the inner heart and become one with the turbid world.
Eighth, "Calm as the vast sea." Calm means tranquil and serene. The heart of one who attains the Tao is serene, as profound as the ocean.
The ninth is "drifting as if without rest." Drifting, a high wind, describes an ethereal trace. Here, Laozi hopes that people can come to stillness amidst turmoil, which is the thought of clarity and non-action.