chapter 22 from Tao Te Ching
Laozi
About Tao Te Ching, Chapter 22
Laozi (sometimes spelled Lao Tzu) is one of the foundational figures in Taoist philosophy, and his Tao Te Ching—a short, poetic work made up of 81 chapters—has inspired generations of readers around the world. It’s full of paradoxes, metaphors, and gentle wisdom that invites you to slow down, breathe, and rethink your assumptions about life, self, and society.
In Chapter 22, Laozi offers a message that feels especially countercultural today: to be whole, let yourself be broken; to truly lead, step back; to be strong, be soft; to understand the self, let go of the ego. Sounds strange at first, right? But this is classic Taoism—using opposites and flow to show us that the world (and ourselves) don’t work the way we often think they do.
The central idea here is about giving up the ego—not because you’re worthless, but because clinging to pride, status, and control actually makes you less in tune with the world. Laozi teaches that by yielding, we become flexible. By stepping back, we gain perspective. By letting go of self-importance, we become more connected to the larger rhythm of life—what he calls the Tao.
This chapter is a quiet but profound challenge to Western ideas of success, power, and identity. Instead of defining yourself by what you achieve, Laozi invites you to dissolve the boundaries of ego and become one with the flow of the world. You don’t need to be the loudest, fastest, smartest, or strongest. You just need to be present, patient, and open.
Before You Read
In a world that constantly tells us to “stand out,” “speak up,” and “build your brand,” Laozi offers a totally different vibe: Step back. Let go. Be still.
Chapter 22 of the Tao Te Ching invites us to think about identity, self-worth, and ego from a completely different perspective. What if you didn’t have to prove anything? What if surrendering control actually brought more peace—and more connection?
This text isn’t about giving up in the defeatist sense. It’s about letting go of the idea that you need to fight the world to find your place in it. Instead, Laozi says, harmony comes when we move with the Tao—the natural, flowing order of the universe.
As you read, ask yourself: What part of myself am I holding onto too tightly? What would it mean to loosen my grip?
Guiding Questions
- What does Laozi mean by “yielding” or “being bent to be straight”? What kind of wisdom is in that paradox?
- How does Chapter 22 challenge typical ideas about strength, leadership, and identity?
- What role does the ego play in separating the self from the world, according to Laozi?
- How might letting go of self-importance lead to a deeper connection with others—or with life itself?
Chapter 22
To yield is to be preserved whole. To be bent is to become straight. To be empty is to be full. To be worn out is to be renewed. To have little is to possess. To have plenty is to be perplexed.
Therefore the sage embraces the One And becomes the model of the world.
He does not justify himself; therefore he becomes prominent. He does not boast of himself; therefore he is given credit. He does not brag; therefore he can endure for long.
It is precisely because he does not compete that the world cannot compete with him.
Is the ancient saying, “To yield is to be preserved whole,” empty words? Truly he will be preserved and (prominence and credit) will come to him.
About this reading
Wing-Tsit Chan English translation of Lao Tzi chapter 22 was retrieved from Terebess Collection. This work is in the Public Domain.
