Introduction

One of my resources indicated some doubt about whether this verse belongs in the Dao De Jing. The oldest version (circa 400 BCE) is considerably shorter and different than the version from circa 150 BCE. The 150 BCE version is pretty close to the main version (circa 250 CE). The fact that it is present in some form in the oldest text is a hint that it does belong. Further, I believe it follows the previous verse well and fits the textual framework overall. That said, the last few lines are very obscure, and I’m not fully settled in my understanding of them.

Now feels like an appropriate time to remind readers that this project has two distinct parts. In the translation, I seek to faithfully render the verses of the Dao De Jing into English through interpretive translation. Interpretive translation means conveying the total experience of reading the text through the target language (English). If you’re interested in getting literal, the Chinese Text Project is an invaluable resource for analyzing the text character by character.

The second part is a commentary on what this verse means to me regarding meditative living. The commentary intends to provide direct teachings that support your understanding of the verse and your meditative lifestyle. More importantly, however, it stimulates your inquiry into what it means to Weave the Way.

Translation

Excellent force
is a tool of ill omen.
Phenomenon dislikes it,
therefore desire does not claim it.

The Wise claim to cherish the left.
The Forceful cherish the right.

The ominous tool of coercion
is not the Wise’s method.
The Wise only use it as needed,
favoring a sharp strike.

Coercion is not commendable.
One who considers coercion praiseworthy
is one who delights in violence.

One who delights in violence
is unable to succeed in the World.

Prosperity favors the left.
Ferocity favors the right.

At a funeral,
the First Mate is on the left
and the Capitan is on the right.

Mass destruction
a flood of bitter tears
victory is a rite of mourning.

Commentary

Excellent force
is a tool of ill omen.

This verse continues to discuss the role of force in the life of a Weaver of the Way. Remember that force is “inflicting or forcing something on someone.” Also, remember that these verses simultaneously discuss our internal processes and our external behaviors.

Getting really good at using force isn’t something Weavers of the Way should be proud of. However, the Wise are also really good at it! We will get into that in a few stanzas.

Phenomenon dislikes it,
therfore desire does not claim it.

Phenomenon is a technical term that points to anything we perceive. Again, these perceptions can arise “externally” as part of our sensory experience or “internally” as part of our thoughts, emotions, and unconscious patterns. The statement is simply that “no thing likes to be coerced.”

“Therefore desire does not claim it” is a fascinating line that was in the 150 CE version but changed dramatically by the 250 CE version to something like “One who possesses the Way does not use it.” It may seem like a fair interchange, but to me, it was a profound revelation and reorientation of the text that fully aligns with the overall message.

“One who possesses the Way does not use it” conveys an absolute commitment to pacifism. Such pacifism is inconsistent with the central tenet of the text that the Way is beyond personal honor or shame as we exercise our appropriate function in life. How can we be spontaneously present under such a strict, pre-determined worldview? How can we accept the totality of Creation as the expression of the Dao if we develop an antagonistic relationship to expressions of life? It didn’t make sense to me and didn’t align with the rest of my studies, practices, and insights.

However! Oh, sweet relief! A more ancient version of the text makes it all clear, first in the following line and again a few lines from now.

“Therefore desire does not claim it” evokes the opening verse:

Become desireless and discover the mystery of life.
Through desire, behold its frontiers.

Desire is the vehicle by which we are driven to taste the sweetness of life in all its multi-colored, multi-faceted glory. However, this aspect of our being does not claim force for itself. As we’ve seen in many other verses, we must consciously engage in life without forcing life to give us what we want. We are not here to make waves; disturbing the natural flow is the source of suffering. Instead, we are here to participate in the Dao’s unfoldment actively.

We can and must consciously engage in life while questioning the belief that we have the right to force life to conform to our wishes.

The Wise claim to cherish the left.
The Forceful cherish the right.

The left represents the Yin side of the Dao, and the right the Yang. Weaving the Way means establishing ourselves on the left as a basis for everything on the right.

By a broader extension, the left represents the spiritual practices of “desirelessness” that reveal the mysteries of life. The right is the “desire” world that enables us to explore the frontiers.

There are whole training systems for those identifying with the “right” side of the path. I know many Daoist practices have a strong “force” quality. For example, in qigong practice, we manipulate qi via willful action to nourish our bodies, minds, and spirits for health and longevity. An example of “left” practices cherished in Daoist practice is “sitting and forgetting,” a form of deep transcendental trance and surrender. Or “preserving the one,” the practice whose method is the subject of Verse 10: Can it be?

To me, the whole idea is about the technique’s appropriateness to the overall goal combined with intentional values setting.

The ominous tool of force
is not the Wise’s method.
The Wise only use it as needed,
favoring a sharp strike.

This stanza is another section in which the later versions of the Dao De Jing sharply depart from the older ones. “Favoring peaceful tranqulity” replaced “favoring a sharp strike.” In conjunction with “One who possesses the way does not use it (i.e., force),” the entire verse seems to promote absolute pacifism.

Instead, “favoring a sharp strike” highlights that when the Wise choose to use right-hand methods, they will do so as effectively and efficiently as possible. If force, internal or external, is necessary, so be it. However, the Wise always treats force as a regrettable last resort, not because it is inherently wrong, but because it carries serious ramifications compared to finding a non-coercive methodology. However, the Wise must cultivate the capacity to be effectively forceful; otherwise, we can’t choose not to use force and can’t strike sharply.

Coercion is not commendable.
One who considers coercion praiseworthy
is one who delights in violence.

Exploring the nuance between force and coercion is a good use of time. It requires us to refine our definition of force slightly.

Force is overcoming resistance through the use of strength or power.

Coercion is the threat or use of manipulation, threat, or physical violence to generate compliance.

This comparison helps us wrap our heads around the earlier stanzas of this verse and gives us context for what, specifically, is out of integrity with Weaving the Way. It isn’t the application of force to resolve a problem when necessary. It is the imposition of one’s will on life through manipulative or violent means. The line between the two can be remarkably blurry and entirely dependent on the intention we bring to an action.

While this has enormous ramifications for our behavior in the world, it is especially critical for dealing with thoughts and emotions. Some thoughts and emotions are deeply rooted in a neurosis that needs to be cut off. Such personal adjustments require a great deal of strength. However, scolding and punishing ourselves to achieve that change by allowing one “chosen” part to coerce another creates significant internal pressure and dis-ease. To celebrate successes we achieve through bypassing and coercion is to delight in violence and disharmony. Acting out of violence and disharmony creates the circumstances for turmoil and suffering in our lives.

One who delights in violence
is unable to succeed in the World.

Life shows us this isn’t universally true in the external, material world. Plenty of coercive people and organizations experience wild material, temporal success. Clearly, this is a pointer back to our internal world and the painful spiritual/psychological consequences of relying too heavily on self-centered, coercive behavior.

Prosperity favors the left.
Ferocity favors the right.

The verse becomes increasingly obscure at this point. What I take from these lines is relatively simple.

If we want to thrive, we’ll favor the left whenever possible. The left supports Ideas like preserving peace and harmony, kindness, compassion, allowance, tolerance, liberty, (y)in-action, and respect.

When we need to get fierce, employ the right. Cut. Refuse to shy away from what is necessary when it becomes apparent, and ensure you only have to cut once. Don’t hesitate when the path is clear. Know what you’re doing and apply the appropriate means to the situation.

At a funeral,
the First Mate is on the left
and the Capitan is on the right.

This stanza appears to be an allusion to the position of officers at a military funeral. I believe the message is that the first mate, who is responsible for the daily affairs of the ship, maintaining order among the crew, etc., is the “good cop.” The Capitan has to be the “bad cop” and make hard decisions that might result in the “death” of something. In our daily affairs, we want to apply the principles of the left. We also need to have the capacity of the “right” to captain our ship through the seas of life.

You may discover profound insights if you choose to use this metaphor as a contemplative experiment.

Mass destruction
a flood of bitter tears
victory is a rite of mourning.

The verse concludes by reminding us that no victory achieved through coercion and violence is a happy affair. Remember, this verse simultaneously talks about navigating our internal experience and the external world.

Yes, force may be necessary. Yes, force can be used skillfully. Yes, the outcome may be a good thing. No, it’s not happy. Victories attained through violence have a bitter quality.