Tao Te Ching, 46

When Tao prevails in the world, galloping horses are turned back to fertilize (the fields with their dung).

When Tao does not prevail in the world, war horses thrive in the suburbs. (Tao Te Ching, 46)

Today, I would try to interpret the above cannon.

In this cannon, it is said that when the Tao rule over the concerns of the people, the galloping horses as a representation of the people who are always in rush, always striving in the material world are turned back to cultivate themselves (dung as a representation of the self). In here, the people are turning their backs on their wicked ways in the material world. They now live in the material world with the guidance of the Tao which is perceived to be good.

On the other hand, when the Tao does not rule over the concerns of the people, then the war horses, those who knows the Tao and spreads them, cultivate themselves on their own and are set aside. These people who strives for others to discover and know the Way are not given attention. They are separated from the group who are working and living for the material world. I am not saying that the material world is not good or does not contain goodness but as far as I have known in Chinese Philosophy, what is important is that the people do not forget about the virtues they have. When a person is so focused on living in the material world, there is a tendency that he may forget the virtues and strives to survive in the competing world. There is a tendency that the person may be influenced in doing dirty things just to survive.

This cannon reminds us that the Tao should not be taken aside as it will guide the people on how to deal life. There must be realization of the importance of the Tao in order to achieve this. The Tao is very much needed in the material world.