Original Text(~108 words)
M70. 1. y words are very easy to know, and very easy to practise; but there is no one in the world who is able to know and able to practise them. 2. There is an originating and all-comprehending (principle) in my words, and an authoritative law for the things (which I enforce). It is because they do not know these, that men do not know me. 3. They who know me are few, and I am on that account (the more) to be prized. It is thus that the sage wears (a poor garb of) hair cloth, while he carries his (signet of) jade in his bosom.
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Summary
Lao Tzu presents one of life's most frustrating paradoxes: the most important truths are often the simplest ones, yet they're the hardest for people to actually live by. He's not talking about complex philosophical concepts here - he means basic principles like treating others with kindness, living within your means, or knowing when to speak and when to listen. These ideas are easy to understand intellectually, but incredibly difficult to practice consistently when life gets messy. The chapter reveals why this happens: people don't recognize the deeper organizing principles behind these simple teachings. It's like knowing that 'eat less, move more' leads to weight loss, but missing the underlying psychology of habits, stress, and willpower that makes it actually work. Lao Tzu points out that truly wise people are rare precisely because they've mastered these basics that everyone else overlooks. He uses the image of a sage wearing rough clothes while carrying precious jade hidden inside - wisdom often comes disguised in ordinary packaging. The person stocking shelves at the grocery store might understand human nature better than the business executive. The quiet coworker who never speaks up in meetings might see solutions that the loudest voices miss. This chapter is both a warning and an invitation: don't dismiss simple advice just because it seems too basic, and don't assume you understand something just because you can explain it. Real wisdom shows up in how you handle Monday morning traffic, not in how well you can quote philosophy.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
The Tao
The underlying principle or natural order that governs everything in the universe. It's not a god or religion, but more like the invisible rules that make life work - similar to gravity or the way water always flows downhill.
Modern Usage:
We see this when we talk about 'going with the flow' or finding the 'natural rhythm' of things.
Sage
In Taoist philosophy, a person who has learned to live in harmony with the Tao. They're not necessarily educated or wealthy - they're wise because they understand how life really works and don't fight against it.
Modern Usage:
Today we might call them 'emotionally intelligent' or say they have 'street smarts' and good judgment.
Paradox
A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a deeper truth. Lao Tzu uses these constantly to show how reality is more complex than it first appears.
Modern Usage:
We experience paradoxes like 'the more you try to control everything, the more out of control you feel' or 'the harder you chase happiness, the more it runs away.'
Hair cloth
Rough, cheap fabric worn by common people or monks. In this context, it represents simplicity and humility - not trying to impress anyone with expensive clothes or status symbols.
Modern Usage:
Today this might be someone driving an old reliable car while having money in the bank, or wearing simple clothes while being incredibly skilled at their job.
Jade
A precious stone highly valued in ancient China, often used to make important seals or jewelry. Here it represents hidden wisdom or inner value that others can't see.
Modern Usage:
We see this when someone has deep knowledge or skills that aren't obvious from their appearance or job title.
Originating principle
The fundamental truth or source that everything else flows from. Lao Tzu believes his simple teachings come from understanding the basic laws of how life works.
Modern Usage:
Like understanding that most relationship problems come from poor communication, or that most financial problems stem from spending more than you earn.
Characters in This Chapter
Lao Tzu
Teacher/narrator
He's reflecting on why his teachings are ignored despite being simple and practical. He's frustrated that people miss the deeper principles behind his basic advice.
Modern Equivalent:
The experienced coworker who gives simple, solid advice that everyone ignores until they learn the hard way
The sage
Example of wisdom
Represents someone who has mastered the simple truths that others overlook. Appears humble on the outside but carries deep wisdom within.
Modern Equivalent:
The quiet person at work who never shows off but always seems to know exactly what to do in any situation
Those who know me
Rare wise followers
The few people who actually understand and practice Lao Tzu's teachings. They're valuable precisely because they're so uncommon.
Modern Equivalent:
The rare friend who actually listens to good advice and changes their behavior instead of just complaining about the same problems
The world/men who do not know
Collective antagonist
Represents the majority of people who think they understand simple truths but fail to live by them. They miss the deeper organizing principles.
Modern Equivalent:
Everyone who knows they should eat better and exercise but keeps making excuses and looking for complicated solutions
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when seemingly basic advice contains deeper truth that most people miss.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you dismiss advice as 'too obvious'—then ask yourself if you're actually practicing it consistently in your daily life.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"My words are very easy to know, and very easy to practise; but there is no one in the world who is able to know and able to practise them."
Context: Opening statement about the gap between understanding and doing
This captures one of life's most frustrating truths - the simplest advice is often the hardest to follow. Lao Tzu isn't talking about complex philosophy but basic principles like patience, kindness, and moderation.
In Today's Words:
Everyone knows what they should do, but almost nobody actually does it consistently.
"It is because they do not know these, that men do not know me."
Context: Explaining why people misunderstand his teachings
People reject his wisdom because they don't understand the underlying principles that make simple practices actually work. They want complex solutions to avoid doing the basic work.
In Today's Words:
People don't get my point because they're missing the deeper reasons why this stuff actually matters.
"They who know me are few, and I am on that account (the more) to be prized."
Context: Reflecting on the rarity of true understanding
Real wisdom is valuable precisely because it's uncommon. Most people prefer complicated theories over simple practices that require discipline and consistency.
In Today's Words:
The people who really get it are rare, which makes them incredibly valuable.
"The sage wears (a poor garb of) hair cloth, while he carries his (signet of) jade in his bosom."
Context: Describing how true wisdom appears in the world
Wisdom often comes disguised in ordinary packaging. The most insightful people might not look impressive from the outside, but they carry deep understanding within them.
In Today's Words:
The wisest people often look completely ordinary on the outside but have incredible depth on the inside.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Simple Truths - Why the Most Important Lessons Hide in Plain Sight
People dismiss simple, fundamental principles as too basic while searching for complex solutions to problems that basic consistency would solve.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Wisdom appears in ordinary people wearing 'rough clothes' while those who seem important may lack real understanding
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
The coworker everyone overlooks might have the best insights about how things really work.
Recognition
In This Chapter
People fail to recognize the value of simple teachings because they don't look impressive or sophisticated
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might be dismissing good advice because it sounds too simple or comes from an unexpected source.
Hidden Value
In This Chapter
True wisdom is like precious jade hidden inside rough clothing - valuable but not obviously so
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
The most important lessons in your life might be hiding in plain sight, disguised as common sense.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Society expects wisdom to look complex and impressive, causing people to overlook simple truths
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might be performing complexity to seem smart instead of focusing on what actually works.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Real development comes from mastering basics that seem too simple to matter
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
Your biggest breakthrough might come from consistently practicing something you already 'know' but don't actually do.
Modern Adaptation
When Simple Advice Gets Ignored
Following Lin's story...
Lin watches another client struggle with team morale. The solution is obvious: the manager needs to stop micromanaging and start listening to their employees. But when she suggests this, the client dismisses it as 'too basic' and asks for advanced leadership frameworks instead. Meanwhile, the best supervisor in the building is someone who never went to business school—he just treats people with respect, keeps his word, and stays calm under pressure. His team has the lowest turnover and highest productivity, but management overlooks him for promotions because he doesn't speak in corporate buzzwords. Lin realizes this happens everywhere: people chase complex solutions while ignoring simple wisdom that actually works. The warehouse worker who shows up early and helps others gets passed over for the one who talks about 'synergy.' The nurse who masters basic patient care gets less recognition than the one pursuing every new certification. Everyone wants the secret formula, but the real secret is mastering the fundamentals that seem too obvious to matter.
The Road
The road Lao Tzu walked in ancient China, Lin walks today. The pattern is identical: people dismiss simple wisdom as too basic while chasing complexity that impresses but doesn't deliver.
The Map
This chapter provides a navigation tool for recognizing when simple advice is actually profound wisdom in disguise. Lin can use it to help clients see that mastering basics beats chasing advanced techniques.
Amplification
Before reading this, Lin might have felt frustrated when clients ignored her straightforward advice. Now she can NAME the pattern of complexity bias, PREDICT when people will dismiss simple solutions, and NAVIGATE by demonstrating rather than explaining the power of fundamentals.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Lao Tzu say that simple truths are the hardest to follow?
analysis • surface - 2
What makes people dismiss basic advice as 'too obvious' when it actually works?
analysis • medium - 3
Think of someone you respect at work or in your community. What simple practices do they do consistently that others overlook?
application • medium - 4
What's one basic piece of advice you've been ignoring because it seems too simple, and how could you test it for 30 days?
application • deep - 5
Why do we often value complexity over consistency, and what does this reveal about how we measure intelligence?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Dismissed Wisdom
Make two lists: 'Advice I Give Others' and 'Advice I Don't Follow Myself.' Look for patterns in what you recommend but don't practice. Pick one item from the second list that you've been dismissing as 'too basic' or 'obvious.' Write down exactly why you haven't been following this advice and what it would look like to practice it consistently for one week.
Consider:
- •Notice if you're avoiding simple advice because it feels beneath your intelligence level
- •Pay attention to the gap between knowing something and actually doing it
- •Consider whether you're looking for complex solutions to avoid simple work
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you watched someone succeed by consistently doing something simple that you thought was too basic to matter. What did you learn from observing their approach?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 71: The Wisdom of Knowing Nothing
As the story unfolds, you'll explore intellectual humility makes you stronger, not weaker, while uncovering admitting ignorance is actually a sign of wisdom. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.