The Short of It:
Names are are not things.
32. Sagely Virtue.
Tau, as it is eternal, has no name. But, though it is insignificant (so little even as to have no name) in its primordial simplicity, the world dares not make a servant of it.
If [an heir] or a [sovereign] could keep this, everything would spontaneously submit to [them]; heaven and earth would combine to send down upon [them] refreshing dew; and the people, without orders, would of themselves harmonize together.
If [they] should ever begin to regulate things with distinctions of names, [they] would then be getting a name; but [they] would know to stop at that point, and thereby escape the danger.
Tau, as it exists in this world, is like the streams and valleys in relation to the great rivers and seas.
32. The Virtue of Holiness.
32.1 Reason, in its eternal aspect, is unnamable.
32.2 Although its simplicity seems insignificant, the whole world does not dare to suppress it. If [heirs] and [sovereigns] could keep it, the ten thousand things would of themselves pay homage. Heaven and earth would unite in dripping sweet dew, and the people with no one to command them would of themselves be righteous.
32.3 As soon as Reason creates order, it becomes namable. Whenever the namable in its turn acquires existence, one learns to know when to stop. By knowing when to stop, one avoids danger.
32.4 To illustrate Reason’s relation to the world we compare it to streams and creeks in their course towards rivers and the ocean.
32. The Virtue (Teh) of Holiness.
Tao in its eternal aspect is unamable. Its simplicity appears insignificant, but the whole world cannot control it. If [heirs] and [sovereigns] employ it every one of themselves will pay willing homage. Heaven and Earth by it are harmoniously combined and drop sweet dew. People will have no need of rulers, because of themselves they will be righteous.
As soon as Tao expresses itself in orderly creation then it becomes comprehensible. When one recognizes the presence of Tao [they understand] where to stop. Knowing where to stop [they are] free from danger.
To illustrate the nature of Tao’s place in the universe: Tao is like the brooks and streams in their relation to the great rivers and the ocean.
The Long of It:
Tao is recognizable but not definable. It is constantly flowing, moving, changing into something bigger. “…dao as the ongoing process of experience is both in the world and is the world, is both the foci and their fields” (Ames 128). The danger comes when we think we can fully define it (through names and labels), and thereby control it. It is uncontrollable and beyond definition.
-TB
