The Dao exists under heaven like valleys that silently receive rivers. It is eternal, unnamed, and simple. Hidden and imperceptible, no one can dominate it.
The Dao, considered as unchanging, has no name.
Though in its primordial simplicity it may be small, the whole world dares not deal with (one embodying) it as a minister. If a feudal prince or the king could guard and hold it, all would spontaneously submit themselves to him.
Heaven and Earth (under its guidance) unite together and send down the sweet dew, which, without the directions of men, reaches equally everywhere as of its own accord.
As soon as it proceeds to action, it has a name. When it once has that name, (men) can know to rest in it. When they know to rest in it, they can be free from all risk of failure and error.
The relation of the Dao to all the world is like that of the great rivers and seas to the streams from the valleys.
Note
If kings govern the world according to the principles of the Dao, the people will naturally unite with them. Just as Yin and Yang, when combined in the cosmos, produce rain, all things flow without human command—spontaneous and harmonious.
Once things arise, names and boundaries are established. When all act in accordance with their inherent function, they coexist without conflict or mutual harm.
Further Reading
Chapter Thirty-Two’s statement, “The Tao is eternal and nameless. Though simple and small, nothing in the world can subdue it,” and Chapter Thirty-Seven’s “The Tao never acts, yet nothing is left undone” complement each other in terms of the relationship between essence and function. Chapter Thirty-Two emphasizes the nameless and simplicity (“uncarved simplicity”) of the Tao, pointing out that though it may seem small and unassuming, it cannot be conquered (“nothing in the world can subdue it”). Chapter Thirty-Seven further explains the practical efficacy of the Tao – achieving “doing nothing, yet nothing is left undone” (as in “if rulers and lords can abide by it, all things will transform spontaneously”). Together, they construct a complete logical progression from the abstract nature of the Tao to its concrete application. Chapter Thirty-Two proposes that “knowing when to stop ensures no danger,” while Chapter Thirty-Seven explains the necessity for rulers to restrain their desires with the phrase “when desires are stilled, the world will naturally settle itself.” Both point toward the core concept of “governing through non-action.”
道常無名。樸雖小，天下莫能臣也。侯王若能守之，萬物將自賓。天地相合，以降甘露，民莫之令而自均。始制有名，名亦既有，夫亦將知止，知止所以不殆。譬道之在天下，猶川谷之與江海。
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