The Tao Te Ching
道之为物，惟恍惟惚。
惚兮恍兮，其中有象；
恍兮惚兮，其中有物。
窈兮冥兮，其中有精；
其精甚真，其中有信。
自今及古，其名不去，以阅众甫。
吾何以知众甫之状哉？以此。
The greatest Virtue is simply to follow the Tao.
The Tao as a thing is elusive and intangible.
Oh, it is intangible and elusive, and yet within is an image.
Oh, it is elusive and intangible, and yet within is a substance.
Oh, it is dim and dark, and yet within is an essence.
This essence is very real, and therein lies faith (evidence).
From the present back to antiquity, its name has never perished.
Through it, we see the origin of all things.
How do I know the form of the origin of all things?
By this (the Tao).
Lao Tzu defines the highest form of character, or "Te," not as a set of rigid moral rules, but as total alignment with the Tao.
True virtue is not about performing goodness for an audience or adhering to social etiquette; it is the capacity to house the universal flow within oneself.
When we try to be "good" by following external laws, we often become rigid, judgmental, or hypocritical.
In contrast, the virtue described here is fluid and responsive, like water conforming to a container.
It requires surrendering the ego’s desperate need to control outcomes and instead allowing the greater intelligence of life to move through you.
Think of a master craftsman who does not force the wood but works with its natural grain, or a skilled diplomat who senses the room's mood rather than imposing a pre-written script.
This is the power of following the Tao.
We often dismiss things we cannot see, touch, or measure as "unreal," yet Chapter 21 insists that within the "elusive and intangible" lies the seed of all concrete reality.
The text describes a reality that is "dim and dark" yet contains an "essence" that is "very real."
This suggests that the material world we obsess over is actually less substantial than the invisible energy that generates it.
The visible world is merely the surface; the Tao is the deep ocean current that drives the waves.
To understand life, we must look past the shell of things.
Consider gravity: it is invisible and intangible, yet it dictates the movement of massive planets.
Consider the feeling of love: it cannot be held in a hand or weighed on a scale, yet it has the power to shape an entire human life.
The invisible is the mother of the visible.
The chapter concludes with a profound epistemological question: "How do I know the form of the origin of all things?" The answer is simple yet radical: "By this."
"This" refers to the Tao present within oneself.
Lao Tzu teaches that we cannot know the ultimate truth through intellectual analysis, data collection, or external searching.
Instead, we access truth through direct, intuitive connection.
It is a "faith" or "evidence" that arises when the mind is quiet and the heart is open.
This is not blind religious belief, but empirical spiritual experience.
To understand the universe, one does not need to travel to its edge; one only needs to look deeply into the nature of their own existence.
It is like knowing you are in love without needing a checklist, or a musician knowing the rhythm is right without counting the beats.
The Problem: A project manager faces a chaotic situation where data is missing, the future is unclear, and the team is panicking. They try to force a plan, creating stress and rigid strategies that fail as soon as circumstances change. The anxiety comes from trying to grasp the ungraspable and demanding certainty where there is none.
The Taoist Solution: The Taoist approach is to embrace the "elusive" nature of the situation rather than fighting it. Instead of forcing a structure, the manager observes the underlying trends—the "essence" within the chaos. By trusting their intuition ("By this") and remaining flexible, they allow the solution to emerge naturally from the confusion. Just as the Tao contains the image within the void, the answer lies within the uncertainty itself.
The Problem: We often judge people by their "surface" appearances—their job titles, their social media presence, or their rehearsed words. This leads to shallow relationships and eventual betrayal because we are looking at the "named" rather than the "essence." We miss the reality of who they are because we are distracted by the mask they wear.
The Taoist Solution: Practice looking for the "essence within the dark." Ignore the flashy exterior and observe the subtle energy a person brings into the room. Is there "faith" or "sincerity" (Xin) in their presence? By aligning with the Tao, you develop a gut feeling that detects authenticity beyond words. You stop listening to the sales pitch and start feeling the vibration of their intent, allowing you to see the "very real" substance of their character.
The Problem: A young professional feels lost, frantically searching for a "calling" by looking at external markers: salary, prestige, or what parents want. They treat their life purpose as a hidden object to be found in the world, leading to burnout and confusion. They analyze endless options but feel no connection to any of them.
The Taoist Solution: Stop looking outside. The "origin of all things" is found "By this"—through the Tao within. The solution is to turn inward and sense the "image" within the "elusive." Purpose is not a destination but a resonance. By quieting the noise and following the subtle pull of what feels "real" and "true" inside, the path reveals itself one step at a time. You do not find the path; you realize you are already the path.