22nd Chapter
(The nature of Tao is always just. Tao makes things right when something is out of order. Tao also renews something when it is old. Therefore,)
If one can be patient when he is wronged, Tao will protect him, restore him, make him whole.
If one can be patient when he is oppressed, Tao will uphold justice and let righteousness stand out through him.
If one can be patient when something has been taken away, Tao will replace it with something even better.
[If one will empty his cup of (stale) worldly knowledge, Tao will fill his cup with (fresh) divine knowledge.]
If one is aware that old traditions are out of date and is willing to let go of them, Tao will help him to renew.
If one can be patient when he is given less, Tao will give something to him to compensate.

[If one is willing to give and be generous, Tao will recompense him and give him more.]
If one is greedy and doesn’t want resist temptation, Tao will let him be miserable until he is ready to make a change.

(The one who follows Tao knows the nature of Tao. He can be patient while he is wronged, while he is oppressed, while something has been taken away, while society cries out for change, while he is given less, etc.… and patiently waits for the unfoldment of Tao.)

There is an old saying, “be flexible, then the wholeness can be sustained”.
How could it be possible that this is not true?
It is truly like that. When we can do so, we return to Tao and live in Tao.

By accepting his conditions, he shows an example to the world.
The one who follows Tao knows this nature, so he follows Tao’s nature too.
When something is not right, he does right things and lets people recognize what is right themselves.
He won’t justify himself, and let things unfold in front of people’s eyes.
He won’t brag, so his good deeds can be a true blessing and a benefit to others.
He won’t be prideful and will always try to be better, so he can continue to grow and progress.
Because he does not cause conflict with others, there is no one who will fight with him.

Implications from the Holy Books

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. ──Isaiah 2:11

O SON OF MAN!
Should prosperity befall thee, rejoice not, and should abasement come upon thee, grieve not, for both shall pass away and be no more. —Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic 52

O SON OF BEING!
If poverty overtake thee, be not sad; for in time the Lord of wealth shall visit thee. Fear not abasement, for glory shall one day rest on thee. —Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic 53

Go Back to the List of Chapters