This chapter unravels the ontology of the Dao, with Laozi proposing the four great entities: “Dao,” “Heaven,” “Earth,” and “Human.”
There was something undefined and complete, coming into existence before Heaven and Earth. How still it was and formless, standing alone, and undergoing no change, reaching everywhere and in no danger (of being exhausted)! It may be regarded as the Mother of all things.
I do not know its name, and I give it the designation of the Dao (the Way or Course). Making an effort (further) to give it a name I call it The Great.
Great, it passes on (in constant flow). Passing on, it becomes remote. Having become remote, it returns. Therefore the Dao is great; Heaven is great; Earth is great; and the (sage) king is also great. In the universe there are four that are great, and the (sage) king is one of them.
Man takes his law from the Earth; the Earth takes its law from Heaven; Heaven takes its law from the Dao. The law of the Dao is its being what it is.
The Ontology of the Dao
- Silent and formless;
- Mother of the cosmos: An undifferentiated and complete existence preceded the birth of Heaven and Earth;
- The Dao is an undivided totality, not a synthesis of parts;
- Cyclical motion.
Among the four great entities—”Dao,” “Human,” “Heaven,” and “Earth”—the Dao holds the highest position: Dao > Earth > Heaven > Human.
Humanity finds its purpose by “emulating Earth, Earth emulates Heaven, and Heaven emulates the Dao”.
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