The Tao is the hidden treasury of all things — the treasure of the good person and the refuge of the person who is not good. The chapter's radical clause is the second one: the Way does not screen its entrants. Fine words can win honour in the marketplace and fine conduct esteem — but why, Lao Tzu asks in the book's most merciful question, should we abandon those who are not good? Failure disqualifies no one from the source.
The centre of the chapter revalues ceremony itself: when the emperor is enthroned and the Three Ministers installed, though they offer jade discs preceded by teams of horses, this is not as good as sitting still and offering the Tao. All the pageantry of state is outweighed by one person sitting quietly in the Way. Why did the ancients treasure it? The closing answer is the whole gospel of this chapter: because through it, those who seek will find, and those with guilt will be released. Therefore it is the most treasured thing under heaven.
Key verses
The Tao is the hidden treasury of all things — the treasure of the good person and the refuge of the person who is not good. Beautiful words can win honor in the marketplace; beautiful conduct can win esteem from others. But why should we abandon those who are not good? Therefore, when the Son of Heaven is enthroned and the Three Ministers are installed, though they offer jade discs before teams of horses, this is not as good as sitting still and offering the Tao. Why did the ancients treasure the Tao? Is it not because through it, those who seek will find, and those with guilt will be released? Therefore, the Tao is the most treasured thing under heaven.
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