In Chapter 22 of the Tao Te Ching, it is mentioned that “the only way to avoid conflict is to avoid it, so the world cannot compete with it.” This sentence is usually interpreted as: Put aside disputes, gain the respect of others with a harmonious attitude, and make the whole world unable to compete with you. But is that really the meaning of “BuZheng” in the Tao Te Ching? Upon careful consideration, this understanding seems somewhat one-sided. Before discussing this issue, let’s first review two stories told by the Taoist master Zhuangzi.
Once, while studying on the mountain, Zhuangzi and his disciples saw some loggers chopping down trees. Zhuangzi asked them, “Which type of tree do you think is the easiest to cut down?” The disciples replied, “Of course, it’s a tree suitable for making beams and boats.” Zhuangzi then pointed to a tall Chinese toon tree and asked, “Why hasn’t this tree been cut down yet?” The disciples were confused and went to ask the lumberjacks. I learned that this tree is useless due to its unique shape and poor wood quality. This means that suitable trees are cut down while useless trees survive. The disciples asked, “Teacher, do you want to teach us how to hide our talents to avoid harm?” Zhuangzi smiled and said, “This is just part of the story.
Later, Zhuangzi led his disciples down the mountain and arrived at a farmhouse. The farmer wanted to kill geese to entertain guests, but the scene was chaotic and the yard was filled with smoke and dust. However, the calm and composed goose in front of the door remained safe and sound. The disciples were curious and asked, “Why didn’t the master kill this goose?” The farmer smiled and said, “This goose can bark, its voice is clear and pleasant, like a mountain spring flowing, so I can’t bear to kill it.” So, this talented goose was able to survive, while those ordinary and unremarkable geese were eliminated. These two stories seem somewhat contradictory: should one hide their talents or should they be displayed? The disciples were confused about this and sought advice from Zhuangzi. Zhuangzi Shen pointed out: “A gentleman should find a balance between the Chinese toon tree and the geese and birds. When facing danger, he should know how to hide his talents; and when he can rely on his talents to survive, he should show his strengths at the right time. At the same time, he should be flexible like a dragon or snake, and when the environment allows, he can soar in the air like a dragon. When in danger, he should crawl on the ground like a snake and coexist with small insects.
Through the story of Zhuangzi, we understand that there is a third choice between struggle and non struggle. Blindly fighting may lead to becoming the target of public criticism, but hiding and expressing ourselves appropriately can help us find ways to survive in different environments. Being humble and accommodating may make people feel weak, leading to missed opportunities and even being eliminated. Therefore, timely striving and necessary humility are the true wisdom. As for why Laozi’s “Tao Te Ching” emphasizes “BuZheng” and does not mention “Zheng”, it is because contention is a human nature and does not require special emphasis. Understanding and practicing the concept of “BuZheng” and establishing a harmonious and friendly image can effectively reduce the obstacles brought by competition. Only when opportunities are ripe can we make a splash and soar for development. If you appear too early, you may lose the opportunity to compete.
