Listen

Dhammapada · narration sample

A one-minute narration sample. Every book in the library is narrated end to end — hear the rest in the app.

Tao Te Ching · 49 of 81

Chapter 49

The sage has no invariable mind of his own; he makes the mind of the people his mind.

To those who are good (to me), I am good; and to those who are not good (to me), I am also good;—and thus (all) get to be good. To those who are sincere (with me), I am sincere; and to those who are not sincere (with me), I am also sincere;—and thus (all) get to be sincere.

The sage has in the world an appearance of indecision, and keeps his mind in a state of indifference to all. The people all keep their eyes and ears directed to him, and he deals with them all as his children.

Asked of Guide

Why does the sage act the same toward both good and bad people?

Lao Tzu says the sage makes “the mind of the people his mind,” responding with goodness and sincerity to everyone so that “all get to be good” and “all get to be sincere.” This is a practical method: by modeling the quality he wishes to cultivate, the sage shapes the social field rather than forcing change with rules or judgment.

The chapter describes the sage as having an appearance of indecision and an “indifference to all,” which is actually steady impartiality that lets people mirror him and learn. Chuang Tzu treats similar skill as managing life through effortless adaptation, showing this is a Taoist tactic of influence by embodiment rather than coercion.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.

Echoes elsewhere

Chuang Tzu · Taoism(or place) of death. And for what reason? Because of their excessive endeavours to perpetuate life. 4. But I have heard that he who is skilful in managing the life entrusted to him Confessions of St. Augustine · Christianityland of death; it is not there. For how should there be a blessed life where life itself is not? "But our true Life came down hither, and bore our death, and slew him, out of the a Buddhism in Translations · Buddhismbeyond the realm of death. The king of death can never find The man who thus the world beholds." When in the course of his application of the Three Characteristics the ascetic has The Questions of King Milinda · Buddhismthree combined, By heats, by inequalities, by aids, By all these seven men die out of time." 41. [303] 'But there are some men, O king, who die through the working of some evil dee