This chapter explores how attachment to praise and blame, and to the physical self, creates anxiety and suffering. It suggests that by letting go of the ego and treating the body with the same care as the world, one can transcend fear and be entrusted with greater responsibility.
Key Concepts
宠辱
身
All Under Heaven
Cite This Chapter
Laozi, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 13, "Favor and Disgrace", laotzu.ai: https://www.laotzu.ai/en/chapters/13/
Classical Chinese, translation, and AI reflection are shown separately; cite this chapter URL for references.
Favor and disgrace are as startling as fear. Honor and great calamity are as the body itself. What does it mean that favor and disgrace are as startling? Favor is inferior. To get it is startling, to lose it is startling. This is what is meant by favor and disgrace being as startling. What does it mean that honor and great calamity are as the body? The reason I have great calamity is that I have a body. If I had no body, what calamity would I have? Therefore, one who values the body as the world can be entrusted with the world. One who loves the body as the world can be entrusted with the world.
Deep Reflection
What is this chapter about?
This chapter explores how attachment to praise and blame, and to the physical self, creates anxiety and suffering. It suggests that by letting go of the ego and treating the body with the same care as the world, one can transcend fear and be entrusted with greater responsibility.
How does it relate to me?
I often seek approval and fear criticism, which disturbs my peace. This reminds me that my worth isn't tied to others' opinions, and that attachment to my ego causes unnecessary worry.
What should I do today?
Today, I will notice when I crave praise or fear blame, and gently let go of that attachment, focusing instead on inner calm.
Favour and disgrace would seem equally to be feared; honour and great calamity, to be regarded as personal conditions (of the same kind). Therefore he who would administer the kingdom, honouring it as he honours his own person, may be employed to govern it, and he who would administer it with the love which he bears to his own person may be entrusted with it.
AI Modern
Favor and disgrace are as startling as fear. Honor and great calamity are as the body itself. What does it mean that favor and disgrace are as startling? Favor is inferior. To get it is startling, to lose it is startling. This is what is meant by favor and disgrace being as startling. What does it mean that honor and great calamity are as the body? The reason I have great calamity is that I have a body. If I had no body, what calamity would I have? Therefore, one who values the body as the world can be entrusted with the world. One who loves the body as the world can be entrusted with the world.
My Reflection
What does this chapter inspire in you? How will you apply it?
