Shang Rong was a man whose origins are unknown.
When he fell ill, Laozi asked him, “Master, do you have any final teachings to leave for your disciple?”
Shang Rong replied, “I am about to speak to you. When one passes their hometown, should they dismount from their carriage? Do you know the meaning of this?”
Laozi answered, “Does it not mean one should not forget one’s origins?”
Shang Rong continued, “When one passes under an old, tall tree, should one quicken one’s step [in respect]? Do you know the meaning of this?”
Laozi answered, “Does it not mean one should honor the elderly?”
Then, Shang Rong opened his mouth and asked, “Is my tongue still there?”
Laozi replied, “Yes, it is.”
Shang Rong asked again, “Are my teeth still there?”
Laozi replied, “No, they are gone.”
Shang Rong asked, “Do you understand the lesson?”
Laozi answered, “Does it not mean that the hard perishes while the soft survives?”
Shang Rong exclaimed, “Alas! Everything in the world is already contained within this truth.”
Note
This dialogue is a foundational anecdote in Daoist philosophy, illustrating the core principle of softness/flexibility overcoming hardness/rigidity. It serves as a metaphorical transmission of wisdom from an elder sage to the reputed author of the Dao De Jing.
Shang Rong
A semi-legendary figure often cited as a teacher or contemporary of Laozi. In some traditions, he is considered a high official of the Shang dynasty or a wise hermit. His role here is that of the dying master who imparts the ultimate truth through simple observation rather than complex theory. His anonymity (“unknown origins”) fits the Daoist theme that true wisdom often comes from nameless sources.
Laozi (Lao Tzu)
The central figure of Daoism and traditionally attributed author of the Dao De Jing. In this story, he appears as a respectful disciple, demonstrating that even the greatest sages remain students until the end. His ability to correctly interpret Shang Rong’s metaphors confirms his readiness to receive and propagate the Dao.
“Dismounting at One’s Hometown”
This ritual signifies rootedness and humility. No matter how high one’s status or how far one has traveled, one must humble oneself before the place of one’s birth. It reflects the Confucian value of filial piety and the Daoist value of returning to the source.
“Quickening Steps Before Old Trees”
Old trees symbolize longevity and wisdom. Quickening one’s pace (a gesture of respect, akin to bowing) acknowledges the value of age and experience. It reinforces the reverence for life and the natural order.
“The Tongue vs the Teeth”
- This is the most famous metaphor in the passage.
- Teeth: Represent hardness, rigidity, and aggression. Though strong, they are brittle and eventually fall out.
- Tongue: Represents softness, flexibility, and adaptability. Though weak, it endures throughout life.
- Philosophical Meaning: This illustrates the Daoist principle that “Softness overcomes Hardness”. It suggests that yielding, adapting, and being flexible are superior strategies for survival and success than rigid force. This concept is central to Chapter 76 of the Dao De Jing: “The hard and stiff will be broken; the soft and supple will prevail.”
“Everything is contained herein”
Shang Rong’s final exclamation indicates that these simple observations (respecting roots, honoring age, and the superiority of softness) encompass the entire logic of the universe. It implies that the Dao is not found in distant mysteries but in everyday phenomena and the natural cycle of life and decay.
商容，不知何许人也。有疾，老子曰：“先生无遗教以告弟子乎？”容曰：“将语子。过故乡而下车，知之乎？”老子曰：“非谓不忘故耶？”容曰：“过乔木而趋，知之乎？”老子曰：“非谓其敬老耶？”容张口曰：“吾舌存乎？”曰：“存。”曰：“吾齿存乎？”曰：“亡。”“知之乎？”老子曰：“非谓其刚亡而弱存乎？”容曰：“嘻！天下辜尽矣。”
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