This chapter speaks about the heart of the sage: impartial, fluid, and aligned with all. The sage does not cling to fixed opinions or favor particular people but responds with openness and compassion to all beings. The essence is that true wisdom embraces universality and reflects the heart of the Dao.

Original Text

圣人无常心，

以百姓心为心。

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。

圣人在天下歙歙，

为天下浑其心。

百姓皆注其耳目，

圣人皆孩之。

Interpretation

The sage is said to have “no constant heart” — meaning, not a lack of feeling, but freedom from partiality. Instead of a rigid self, the sage mirrors the heart of all people, responding to each with openness and balance.

“Toward the good, I am good; toward the not-good, I am also good. Thus virtue becomes goodness.” This shows the sage’s unconditional compassion. Goodness does not arise from judging or rewarding only the virtuous, but from embracing all beings with equal sincerity, transforming the world by embodying the Dao.

Similarly: “Toward the faithful, I am faithful; toward the unfaithful, I am also faithful. Thus virtue becomes trust.” The sage’s trust does not depend on others’ actions; it springs from their own rootedness in Dao. This creates a field where even the untrustworthy may feel moved toward integrity.

The chapter concludes with an image of the sage living in the world like a child — simple, pure, and untainted. The sage’s heart is wide and inclusive, not narrowed by calculation. People look to the sage with their ears and eyes, but the sage holds them all with the innocence of a child, nurturing harmony.

Summary

Chapter 49 teaches that the sage does not cling to fixed judgments or partiality. Instead, they embody unconditional goodness and trust, responding to the world with childlike openness and simplicity.

Practical Insight

In daily life, this invites us to soften our judgments of others. Instead of reacting to good or bad behavior with the same duality, we can respond from our own center of kindness and integrity. By holding a childlike heart, we nurture a more compassionate and trusting world.

Published on: October 4, 2025