A Dialectical Analysis of the Tripartite Qualities of 'Dao' in the Guanzi: Intricacy, Expansion, and Solidity
This paper provides an in-depth interpretation of the opening discourse on 'Dao' in the *Guanzi: Neiye*, analyzing the connotations and dialectical unity of its tripartite qualities: 'intricacy necessitates density, expansion necessitates ease, and solidity necessitates firmness.' It further explores their significance for self-cultivation and mental governance within the context of Pre-Qin and ancient thought.
III. "Dao" and "De"
"Once you know its extremity, return to the Dao and De." The "Dao and De" here is a combined term for Dao and De.
Dao (道)—The ultimate ground of all things. "The Dao, in general, must be all-encompassing and meticulous, must be expansive and leisurely, must be firm and unshakeable." The Dao is objective, universal, and constant.
De (德)—The specific manifestation of Dao within the individual. "What is obtained from the Dao is called De" (this is the common understanding in the pre-Qin period). De is subjective, individual, and cultivable.
The relationship between Dao and De is like that between the sun and light—the sun is the source of light (Dao), and light is the manifestation of the sun (De). Everyone possesses a manifestation of the Dao within (De), but due to various obscurations, De may be incomplete or insufficient. The purpose of cultivation is to fully manifest De—"return to the Dao and De" means returning to the fully manifested De.