The Dao Is the Mystery of All Things

The Dao is the mystery of all things — the treasure of the good, the refuge of the not-good. Beautiful words can buy position. Beautiful deeds can gain respect. But even the not-good — why abandon them? Therefore when the emperor is enthroned and the three ministers are appointed, though you offer jade and horses, it is better to sit and offer this Dao.

道者万物之奥。善人之宝，不善人之所保。

美言可以市尊，美行可以加人。

人之不善，何弃之有？

故立天子，置三公，虽有拱璧以先驷马，不如坐进此道。

古之所以贵此道者何？

不曰以求得，有罪以免邪？故为天下贵。

The Dao is the mystery of all things —
the treasure of the good,
the refuge of the not-good.

Beautiful words can buy position.
Beautiful deeds can gain respect.

But even the not-good —
why abandon them?

Therefore when the emperor is enthroned
and the three ministers are appointed,
though you offer jade and horses,
it is better to sit and offer this Dao.

Why did the ancients value this Dao so?
Is it not said: "Seek and you will find;
offend and you will be forgiven"?
Thus it is the treasure of the world.

Term	Pinyin	Meaning
万物之奥	wàn wù zhī ào	the mystery of all things — the deepest source, the hidden refuge
善人之宝	shàn rén zhī bǎo	the treasure of the good — what good people value most
不善人之所保	bù shàn rén zhī suǒ bǎo	the refuge of the not-good — what protects even the bad
拱璧	gǒng bì	jade — a large jade disc, a precious offering
驷马	sì mǎ	four horses — a team of horses, a valuable gift

"The Dao is the mystery of all things — the treasure of the good, the refuge of the not-good."

The Dao doesn't discriminate. It treasures the good and shelters the bad. Like a hospital that treats all patients regardless of their character. This is the Dao's unconditional generosity.

"Beautiful words can buy position. Beautiful deeds can gain respect. But even the not-good — why abandon them?"

Words and deeds can earn worldly rewards. But the not-good also deserve the Dao's protection. Laozi challenges the idea that only the worthy deserve salvation.

"Though you offer jade and horses, it is better to sit and offer this Dao."

The Dao is more valuable than the most precious gifts. Offering the Dao — sharing wisdom, creating conditions for transformation — is the greatest gift you can give.

This means bad people should be excused.

It means they should not be abandoned. The Dao offers refuge to everyone — not as a moral judgment but as a statement about its nature.

"Beautiful words" are always bad.

They're not bad — they're just insufficient. Beautiful words can buy position, but the Dao buys something deeper: transformation.

💡 Inclusive Leadership

"Even the not-good — why abandon them?" — the best leaders don't write off difficult team members. Everyone has potential; everyone deserves opportunity.

🏢 Mentoring

Offer the Dao, not just jade and horses. The most valuable thing you can give someone is wisdom, perspective, and the conditions for growth.

📚 Unconditional Acceptance

The Dao accepts everyone. Practice accepting people as they are — not condoning bad behavior, but not abandoning the person.

Wang Bi 王弼 (226–249 CE)

"The Dao does not abandon anyone. It is the refuge of all — good and bad alike. This is the nature of true generosity."

Unconditional generosity of the Dao.

Heshang Gong 河上公 (Han dynasty)

"Offer the Dao to the ruler, and the state will prosper. Offer jade and horses, and only the treasury will grow."

The Dao as the most valuable offering.

Chen Guying 陈鼓应 (b. 1935)

"Laozi's universalism — the Dao for all, not just the worthy — is one of his most radical ethical claims."

Ethical radicalism of Laozi's universalism.

🔗 Cross-References

📖 Within the Tao Te Ching

Ch.27 — The sage abandons no one Ch.49 — To the bad, I am also good Ch.81 — True words are not beautiful

📚 Other Classics

Buddhism: The Dharma is for all beings, not just the enlightened Christianity: Grace is offered to all, not just the righteous

🌍 Modern Thought

Universal human rights: Rights for all, not just the deserving Inclusive education: Every child deserves opportunity