Tao Te Ching, 2

Being and non-being produce each other;

Difficult and easy complete each other;

Long and short contrast each other;

High and low distinguish each other;

Sound and voice harmonize each other;

Front and back follow each other. (Tao Te Ching, 2)

Today, I would like to try to interpret the above cannon from the topic " The Nature of Opposites".

In my previous blog posts, I have stated that the Tao Te Ching book contains a play of opposites (i). Meaning it describes the Tao using set of statements or words that contradicts the other. This kind of style can be proven in this cannon.

The statements above composes sets of opposites. Each of the statements arise because of the presence of the opposites. Meaning the other one cannot be known without the presence of the other. For example, long cannot be called long without the thing called short. The two of them always come together. They do not disregard the other rather the complement each other because without long, there cannot be a thing called short.

What the cannon is telling man is that in the world, no matter how good something may be, there would always be something that would oppose it. Meaning, opposites will always exist but despite it opposing the other, it should be treated as something important for the other cannot be distinguished or cannot have a name for itself without the opposing factor. The opposing factor builds the characteristic of the thing. It is the reason why they do not disregard the other. This is the reason why they complement each other. Because of the presence of the opposing factor, the thing builds itself and the two cannot be spoken of without mentioning the other. One cannot say that the water is cold when one do not know or speak of hot water. The term "cold" existed because the person knew of a term that is opposite it which is "hot". Same thing as with front and back, sound and voice, high and low, long and short,difficult and easy, and being and non-being.

The Tao Te Ching really contains the play of opposites. It is described to explain the other. This is why it complements it and does not disregard it.

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Source
(i)http://moniquengbino.blogspot.com/2015/01/tao-te-ching-18.html