OF THE TAO EXEMPLIFIED IN HISTORY 5 



political thought and to create those "group thoughts" that 

 .have done so> much for the world. 



His method and treatment will help all students to 

 understand the principles of Taoism. In the abstract these 

 are not easily understood as they are enshrined in the cryptic 

 sayings of Lao Tan. But here we have a practical com- 

 mentary on these sayings. The Tao is to be understood best 

 in its operations. There are intimations and hints of the 

 Tao in the abstract. But it is in concrete examples that it 

 may best be understood. 



The Tao fills all space and impinges on everything. It 

 operates everywhere, and in everything, both great and small. 

 It has no visible body that one can see and touch, but its 

 impulsive force is manifest in all creation. It is very great 

 just because it is without form. It is absolutely just, im- 

 partial, unfailing. "Whoever is in accord with it succeeds. 

 Its laws cannot be transgressed with impunity. The ancient 

 idea is in line with the modern interpretation as expressed by 

 Mathew Arnold, "The Eternal not ourselves that makes for 

 righteousness." The spirit of man has eternally followed 

 the quest. What is it that is behind all phenomena? What 

 is it that creates the perfect harmony of the Universe? 

 What is that breath of life that operates without sound or 

 voice, so silently, mysteriously, harmoniously, and power - 

 fullv? "There is no voice or sound, their language is not 

 heard." 



This all powerful and all pervading essence, how far is it 

 applicable to human affairs? Let the study of history offer 

 its response. 



Here it is well to remind ourselves that this conception 

 of the Tao held by the Taoists may help us to understand 

 much of their thought. The fundamental idea is that all 

 human enactments are artificial and harmful. Man has only 

 to live in harmony and in alliance with the Tao and all society 

 would get on well. So the sages with their laws and rules and 

 fine sayings are a nuisance. Destroy all human enactments : 

 break up the yard measure, your weights and scales and the 

 world would get on famously. It is a magnificent idea. But 

 you remember it stirred the wrath of the great essayist 

 Han Yii, who in his essay on Yuan Tao, poured his scorn 

 on the theory. 



Again the Taoist terms are often hard to understand. 

 But some of the historical examples that we shall read this 

 evening may help us to put a meaning into some of their 

 phrases. The word Wu-wei often translated as Inaction or 

 Non-Action does not really imply that a person is a do- 

 nothing kind of fellow. No ! the men of non-action were busy 



