Original Text
In governing the people and nurturing the self, nothing is more important than conserving energy. By conserving energy, one can prepare for all things early. Preparing early means accumulating virtue deeply. With deep virtue, nothing is impossible, and when nothing is impossible, one's power becomes immeasurable. When power is immeasurable, one can bear the heavy responsibility of governing the state. With the principles and ways of governing the state, the country can endure long and peacefully. This is the way of deep roots and firm foundations, long life and lasting vision.
Guide
Cherishing is the foundation for the long-lasting preservation of life and even a nation. Only by accumulating profound virtue can one govern the people and rule the world. With virtue, one approaches the Way; a nation with such a ruler can endure for a long time, deeply rooted and firmly established.Analysis
This chapter focuses on the principle of governing people and serving Heaven, and proposes a specific method to achieve it: frugality, which means restraint, withdrawal, and maintaining emptiness. Laozi believes that by practicing frugality, one can grasp the root of governing people and serving Heaven.
Let us first examine the line "In governing the people and serving Heaven, nothing is more important than frugality." "Governing the people" means ruling the populace, while "serving Heaven" refers to preserving vitality and nurturing the body and mind. The core of Laozi's philosophy lies in "non-action," "non-contention," and "absence of desire and ambition." To help people restrain their selfish desires, Laozi introduced the concept of frugality. What is frugality? Originally meaning love, it can be extended to mean cherishing and preserving, as well as thrift. Thus, the principle revealed by this line is: In governing the people and nurturing the body and mind, nothing is more important than valuing thrift and cherishing one's spirit.
Now, let us examine the phrase "Only by frugality can one be said to have prepared early." Here, "prepared early" means to submit early and act early. This whole sentence teaches us a truth: only when a ruler understands frugality can he truly benefit the people and follow the Way of Nature. If he does not understand frugality, even if he has made plans in advance, resources will soon be exhausted. Therefore, frugality is an act that aligns with the Way of Nature. Here, Laozi admonishes rulers to conserve the people's wealth and cherish their labor, for only in this way can they achieve governance through non-action.
Laozi then proposed, "Early submission is called the accumulation of virtue." Here, "virtue" refers to the ruler's moral character, which is primarily demonstrated in the practice of governing the state. The key to governance lies in ensuring the people have adequate food and clothing, a crucial foundation for long-term stability. As the saying goes, "Food is the first necessity of the people." Only when the people are well-fed and clothed will they feel at ease and refrain from causing trouble or rebellion. Storing grain not only stabilizes public sentiment but also affects the outcome of war. Another saying goes, "Before the troops move, provisions go first," highlighting the vital role of grain in warfare. For a ruler, understanding the importance of accumulating grain is essential, as livelihood issues form the basis of national stability. A ruler should possess foresight and the ability to anticipate various events, formulating corresponding strategies accordingly, and the sufficiency of grain is a key indicator of a ruler's virtue.
"Accumulating virtue deeply ensures invincibility; invincibility means no one can fathom its limits." These two sentences point to the realm achieved by accumulating virtuous deeds. Here, "invincibility" means being unconquerable, able to overcome all. Only when resources are abundant, the people are at peace, society is harmonious, and leaders have far-sighted vision can a nation be invincible. In fact, "invincibility" is broad in scope; it does not refer exclusively to war but also to various difficulties and setbacks. A person who achieves invincibility must be profoundly unfathomable, and others cannot gauge the depth of their thoughts.
What is the "mother of the state"? "Mother" metaphorically refers to the Dao that gives birth to all things, and can also refer to the root of things. "Having the mother of the state" can be understood as "having the state as the foundation for establishing oneself," which is said from the perspective of the ruler. Following this, Laozi naturally arrives at the conclusion that "it can endure for long."
For rulers, frugality holds great significance. For individuals, it is equally important. Frugality is a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation; if one regards frugality as a beauty, they will surely align with the great Way and virtue, inevitably becoming a person of few desires and serene simplicity.