Chapter 49: The Sage's Heart (第49章：任德)

聖人無常心，以百姓心為心。
善者，吾善之；不善者，吾亦善之；德善。
信者，吾信之；不信者，吾亦信之；德信。
聖人在天下，歙歙焉，為天下渾其心。
百姓皆注其耳目，聖人皆孩之。
☸

Translation

The Sage has no fixed heart; he makes the people's heart his own.

To those who are good, I am good.
To those who are not good, I am also good.
Thus, Virtue (De) is good.

To those who are trustworthy, I am trustworthy.
To those who are not trustworthy, I am also trustworthy.
Thus, Virtue is trustworthy.

The Sage lives in the world with a unified and simple heart.
While the people all focus on their ears and eyes,
The Sage treats them all as his children.

✦ ◆ ✦

📜 Liuren Perspective

In Liuren Fajiao, "No fixed heart" (無常心) refers to the state of Spiritual Neutrality. A master does not judge situations based on personal bias. Like a mirror, the master's heart reflects the "people's heart," allowing for perfectly targeted magical aid.

"To those who are not good, I am also good" is a high-level ethical instruction. In our tradition, we use magic to resolve conflict and remove evil, but we do so without personal hatred. By maintaining "Virtue" (De) even toward the "not good," the master prevents themselves from being stained by the negativity they are fighting.

While the world is distracted by "ears and eyes" (sensory phenomena), the master remains in a "Unified Heart" (渾其心). This child-like simplicity is the secret to maintaining a strong, clear signal with the Immortal Master.

← Chapter 48
Back to Daodejing Index
Chapter 50 →