Chapter 49: The Sage's Heart
Laozi describes the sage's impartiality: good and bad are treated equally with kindness and trust. The sage收敛 their heart for the world's浑心, treating all as children.
📖 Definition
Chapter 49 shows the sage's impartiality: good and bad are treated equally. The sage has no fixed mind, treating all as children.
Source Text
Read the original alongside the English rendering
Original Chinese
聖人常無心，以百姓心為心。
善者，吾善之；
不善者，吾亦善之；
德善。
信者，吾信之；
不信者，吾亦信之；
德信。
聖人在天下，歙歙為天下渾其心，百姓皆注其耳目，聖人皆孩之。
English Rendering
The sage has no fixed mind — the people's mind becomes their mind.
The good, I treat well.
The not good, I also treat well — this is virtue's goodness.
The trustworthy, I trust.
The not trustworthy, I also trust — this is virtue's trustworthiness.
The sage in the world —收敛 their heart for the world's浑心.
All people attend to their ears and eyes.
The sage treats them all as children.
The Sage’s Mind
聖人常無心 — “The sage has no fixed mind.”
The sage does not hold fixed opinions. They adapt to each situation.
The People’s Mind
以百姓心為心 — “The people’s mind becomes their mind.”
The sage takes the people’s perspective, not their own. This is empathy.
Virtue’s Goodness
德善 — “This is virtue’s goodness.”
Treating the unworthy with kindness is true virtue. This is not weakness but strength.
Virtue’s Trustworthiness
德信 — “This is virtue’s trustworthiness.”
Trusting the untrustworthy is true trustworthiness. This requires great inner strength.
The浑心
為天下渾其心 — “收敛 their heart for the world’s浑心.”
The sage收敛 their own heart to merge with the world’s浑心. This is complete identification.
Treating as Children
聖人皆孩之 — “The sage treats them all as children.”
The sage cares for everyone with parental gentleness. This is true compassion.
Modern Application
We judge and separate. Chapter 49 suggests: treat everyone with equal kindness and trust.
Key Takeaways
- The sage has no fixed mind
- Takes the people’s perspective
- Treats the unworthy with kindness
- Trusts the untrustworthy
- Treats all as children
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Written by
Lee
Lee explains Chinese philosophy, strategy, and stories in plain English — for people who want ancient wisdom they can actually use. Based in China, writing for the world.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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