Now : propriety* is that which is [merely] the appearance of loyalty* and honesty*, [thin coveràfacade] ♦And the beginning of confusion. ♦He who is ahead in knowledgeD has the flowerE of Dao, But the beginning of stupidity and foolishness. ♦Thus2 the greatest elders2 : [elder men] Live by Dao’s substanceF, and do not dwell on Dao’s appearance. [its] [its] [thin coveràfacade] Live on Dao’s fruitE, and do not dwell on Dao’s flowerE. [its] [its] Therefore they leave that and choose this.G Notes This chapter is anti-Confucian as early as MWD/B! A : he does not lose De in that he is always trying to show that he has De B : “coerces” is the same symbol as “acts”, but is used here to emphasize that it is the opposite of “non-action” C : this line varies greatly between all the sources, and there is no majority; this comes from FY as it seems to make the most sense D : this could also mean “future knowledge” and so is often translated as “foreknowledge”, “prescience”, etc. E : fruit provides nourishment, whereas a flower is merely showy F : compare to #50 and #75, where living for the “substance” is apparently a bad thing G : presumably, appearance and the “flower” vs. substance and the “fruit” (respectively) Cross-references non-action : #2, #3, #37, #43, #48, #57, #63, #64 the ancients/elders : #14, #15, #22, #39, #62, #65, #68 substance : #50, #55, #75 leave that and choose this : #12, #72 anti-Confucian : #3, #18, #19, #27, #33 Chapter Thirty Nine 昔 之 得 一 者 天 得 一 以 清 地 得 一 以 寧 神 得 一 以 靈 谷 得 一 以 盈 萬 物 得 一 以 生 • 侯 王 得 一 以 為 天 下 貞 其 致 之 • 天 無 以 清 將 恐 裂 地 無 以 寧 將 恐 發 神 無 以 靈 將 恐 歇 谷 無 以 盈 將 恐 竭 萬 物 無 以 生 將 恐 滅 侯 王 無 以 貴 高 將 恐 蹶 (•)故 貴 以 賤 為 本 高 以 下 為 基 是 以 侯 王 自 謂 孤 寡 不 穀 此 非 以 賤 為 本 (邪(•)) 非 乎(•) (•)故 致 數 輿 無 輿 不 欲 琭 琭 如 玉 珞 珞 如 石 Of those who in ancient times attained oneness : Heaven attained oneness, thus becoming pure and clear. Earth attained oneness, thus becoming stable. Spirit attained oneness, thus becoming potent. The valley attained oneness, thus becoming full. The ten thousand creatures attained oneness, thus becoming alive. Nobles and kings attained oneness, thus serving the world faithfully. They attained it. If heaven could not use its purity and clarity, I fear it would split apart. If earth could not use its stability, I fear it would erupt. If spirit could not use its potency, I fear it would cease to be.