The so‑called mother of possessing a state means the Dao. The Dao originates from state‑preserving statecraft. As the source of holding a state, it is called the mother of the state.
One who navigates the world by the Dao establishes lasting life and maintains long‑term rank and salary. Hence the saying: “The mother of the state enables long endurance.”
Trees have spreading lateral roots and firm taproots. The taproot is what ancient texts call the base. The base sustains a tree’s fundamental life; lateral roots maintain its survival.
Virtue sustains a person’s fundamental life; rank and salary maintain his survival.
Those grounded in rational principles preserve their rank long‑term, hence “deepen the roots.”
Those embodying the Dao grow in life endurance, hence “strengthen the taproot.”
A firm taproot fosters life growth; deep roots secure long survival. Therefore: “Deepening roots and strengthening the taproot is the way of long life and enduring existence.”
Note
This passage establishes a root‑foundation principle: the Dao and inner virtue are the fundamental taproot of states and people; only by deepening this root can one achieve long‑term survival and stability.
Late Warring‑States Legalist philosopher. This passage is excerpted from Explaining Laozi (Jie Lao), his commentary on the Dao De Jing. He uses the tree‑root metaphor to link Daoist metaphysics with Legalist long‑term state governance.
Mother of the State
A Daoist concept reinterpreted by Han Fei as the Dao‑centered statecraft that guarantees regime stability and endurance.
Taproot‑Lateral‑Root Metaphor
The taproot symbolizes foundational virtue and the Dao; lateral roots symbolize worldly rank and wealth. Deep roots equal long‑term survival for both individuals and states.
Long‑Life Endurance
Originally Daoist spiritual longevity, transformed by Han Fei into political endurance: long‑lasting reign and stable state rule by adhering to principles and the Dao.
所謂有國之母，母者，道也，道也者生於所以有國之術，所以有國之術，故謂之有國之母。夫道以與世周旋者，其建生也長，持祿也久，故曰：「有國之母，可以長久。」樹木有曼根，有直根。根者，書之所謂柢也。柢也者，木之所以建生也；曼根者，木之所以持生也。德也者，人之所以建生也；祿也者，人之所以持生也。今建於理者其持祿也久，故曰：「深其根。」體其道者，其生日長，故曰：「固其柢。」柢固則生長，根深則視久，故曰：「深其根，固其柢，長生久視之道也。」
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