Commentary on the Moral Classic (30): The Dao is Always Nameless; Though Simple and Small

The Dao is always nameless; though simple and small, no one under heaven can make it submit. If the lords and kings could hold fast to it, all things would naturally submit. When heaven and earth unite, sweet dew descends; the people do not command it, yet it distributes itself evenly. When institutions are first established, names arise; once names exist, one must know when to stop. Knowing when to stop prevents danger. The Dao's relationship to the world is like that of streams and valleys to the great rivers and seas.

The enduring Dao is nameless; though simple and small, nothing under heaven can control it. If the rulers could hold fast to the Dao, all things would submit naturally, heaven and earth would unite, and sweet dew would descend. Without the need for any laws or decrees, the people would distribute everything equally among themselves. Once institutions are implemented, there will always be a name. Since names exist, one should also know where the changes lie and where the support comes from. Knowing these things ensures that nothing will perish. The relationship between the Dao and the world is like that of streams and valleys to the great rivers and seas. [Note]: It is extremely difficult to concisely describe the philosophy within this passage using modern vernacular. The general meaning is that although the Dao is small and nameless, it governs all things and exists eternally; therefore, nothing under heaven can surpass or exceed it. If those in power can uphold the Dao, they can achieve governance through non-action, transforming things without imposing anything, allowing all things to naturally enter a state of coordination and change in ways that become manageable. In classical Chinese, the character 'Zhi' (stop) is interchangeable with 'Zhi' (toe). Since walking begins with the movement of the feet, 'Zhi' here uses the foot and sole as a metaphor to describe the situation of movement. The relationship between the Dao and the world is like that of streams and valleys to the great rivers and seas: the valley is where spring water flows out from the mountain pass, and the stream is the river; rivers converge to form the great rivers and seas. Thus, this refers to the relationship between the Dao and the world: the Dao is the source of the world, forming rivers from its source, continuously converging, and finally creating the world.