The Elder of the River [Biographies of Noble Scholars]

The Elder of the River was a man of unknown origin. He was deeply versed in the teachings of Laozi. Concealing his name and identity, he lived by the banks of the Yellow River and authored the Commentary on Laozi (Laozi Zhangju); thus, the people of his time called him the Elder of the River.

At the end of the Warring States period, when the feudal lords were locked in fierce competition and traveling rhetoricians vied with one another for power and influence, the Elder alone hid his identity to cultivate the Dao. He maintained his moral integrity unblemished even into his old age. He transmitted his teachings to An Qisheng and is revered as the patriarch of the Daoist lineage.

Note

The Elder of the River, an anonymous Daoist sage well-versed in Laozi’s thought, dwelt by the Yellow River and wrote a commentary on Dao De Jing. Amid chaotic Warring States strife, he lived in seclusion, kept his virtue intact, and passed his Daoist teachings to An Qisheng.

The Elder of the River (河上丈人, 河上公):

A semi-mythical Daoist sage whose true identity remains a mystery. He is traditionally credited with authoring the Heshang Gong commentary on the Dao De Jing, one of the most influential and widely circulated versions of the text in Chinese history.

Commentary on Laozi / Laozi Zhangju (老子章句):

This refers to the practice of dividing the Dao De Jing into chapters and verses, and providing explanatory notes. This textual tradition made the esoteric Daoist philosophy more accessible and helped establish it as a formalized religious and philosophical lineage.

Rhetoricians and Power Struggles:

This phrase paints a vivid picture of the chaotic late Warring States period. It highlights the contrast between the worldly ambition of political strategists (like the School of Diplomacy) and the spiritual detachment of the Daoist hermits.

Daoist Patriarch / Lineage:

The Elder of the River is considered a crucial link in the esoteric transmission of Daoism. By passing his teachings to An Qisheng, he bridges the gap between the philosophical Daoism of Laozi and the later mythological/immortal traditions of the Qin and Han dynasties.

Aging Without Blemish:

This reflects the ultimate Daoist goal of self-preservation – not just physical longevity, but the preservation of one’s inner virtue and spiritual essence against the corrupting forces of a chaotic world.

河上丈人者，不知何国人也。明老子之术，自匿姓名，居河之湄，著《老子章句》，故世号曰河上丈人。当战国之末，诸侯交争，驰说之士咸以权势相倾，唯丈人隐身修道，老而不亏。传业於安期生，为道家之宗焉。