Tao is the storehouse of all things.This is another one of my favorite chapters. Tao does not judge. All things come from it; both good and evil. A good man follows Tao and is rewarded for doing so. It isn't a material reward, but the benefit of being one with the Tao. The same is true for the bad man. There is no judgement of past actions where Tao is concerned. Simply follow the Tao and reap the benefits.
It is the good man's treasure and the bad man's refuge.
Fine words can buy honor,
And fin deeds can gain respect from others.
Even if a man is bad, when has (Tao) rejected him?
Therefore on the occasion of crowning an emperor or installing the three ministers,
Rather than present large pieces of jade preceded by teams of four horses,
It is better to kneel and offer this Tao.
Why did the ancients highly value this Tao?
Did they not say, "Those who seek shall have it and those who sin shall be freed"?
For this reason it is valued by the world.
You can manipulate your way into honor and respect and positions of authority. In fact, that's how most people acquire them. They climb the corporate ladder. They toady to the higher ups. Sometimes they sell out their competitors and coworkers alike. So why should you give a material gift to one who maneuvered his way into a position of authority? Does that activity merit such a thing?
The Tao is a gift suitable for all men, regardless of who they are and what they have accomplished. We are all good men or bad men, and sometimes alternately so. The Tao is always there, the mother of all things, and anyone can reap its reward. Thus it is valued by the world.
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