Tao Te Ching · Chapter
LXX explained
Laozi laments that his teachings are simple to understand and practice, yet few in the world can truly know or follow them.
What happens
Laozi laments that his teachings are simple to understand and practice, yet few in the world can truly know or follow them. He emphasizes that his words are rooted in an originating principle and an authoritative law, and because people do not grasp this, they fail to know him. The sage, though outwardly humble and poor, inwardly holds great value.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This chapter marks the dramatic climax because it presents the psychological peak of self-awareness, where the…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Simplicity and Humility
The sage wears coarse cloth but carries jade in his bosom, symbolizing inner worth hidden by outer simplicity.
- The Tao as the Ultimate Principle
Laozi's words are said to originate from an all-comprehending principle, pointing to the Tao as the foundation of his teaching.
Characters to notice
- Laozi
The speaker who reflects on the obscurity and undervaluation of his teachings.
Key passages
“My words are very easy to know, and very easy to practise; but there is no one in the world who is able to know and able to practise them.”
My teachings are simple to understand and apply, yet no one in the world truly comprehends or follows them.
Laozi expresses the paradox of his accessible yet neglected wisdom.
“It is thus that the sage wears (a poor garb of) hair cloth, while he carries his (signet of) jade in his bosom.”
Thus the sage appears outwardly humble and poor, but inwardly holds great treasure.
A metaphor for the contrast between external modesty and inner value.
