Daodejing Chapter 34 breakdown: the great Dao flows everywhere
Chapter 34 of the Daodejing reprises the same theme as Chapter 25 of the text with its meditation on the greatness of the Dao, highlighting its boundlessness, pervasiveness, selflessness, and humility.
Section 1
The great Dao flows everywhere,
Both to the left and to the right.
The chapter begins by pointing to the omnipresence of the Dao. It is the fundamental, underlying principle that permeates every aspect of the universe and every moment of existence. Everything is within the Dao, and the Dao is within everything.
Section 2
The myriad things depend on it for life,
It never turns away from them.
It accomplishes its work,
Yet it claims no credit for it.
It clothes and nourishes
The myriad things,
Yet it does not claim
To be their master.
The Dao is the ultimate source of nourishment and sustenance, providing everything that the myriad things need to thrive without any expectation of recognition or reward. Even though it is the origin of all things, the Dao claims no credit for its work and does not assert any form of ownership or control over them.
Section 3
Free of desire,
It can be called small.
The myriad things return to it,
Yet it does not act as their master.
It can be called great.
Because it never claims to be great,
It achieves greatness.
The selfless and unassuming nature of the Dao is the reason for its greatness. Because it quietly goes about its business free of any desire for recognition or domination, the myriad things automatically return to it without question. Its pervasive presence, generosity, and humility all contribute to its greatness.
Related Articles
Daodejing Chapter 25: I do not know its name
Daodejing Chapter 25 breakdown: nebulous yet whole
Daodejing Chapter 34: free of desire
