Background information
“被褐懷玉 (Wearing Rags, Bearing Jades)” is a phrase from Chapter 70 of Laozi’s (老子, 6th Century BC) Tao Te Ching (道德經). It describes one characteristic of those who follow Tao (道, the unidentifiable and nameless fundamental way that drives and begets all things in the Universe). For more on Tao, please read An English Translation and the Correct Interpretation of Laozi’s Tao Te Ching.
Wise people always follow the inconspicuous and natural Tao, and so they themselves are never conspicuous and even appear to others as unrefined and rudimentary (wearing rags). Yet, they obey and grasp the supreme way of Tao (bearing jades), and hence Laozi described them as “被褐懷玉”.
It is worth to further note “被褐懷玉” is NOT asking one to be scheming or disingenuous, such as deliberately pretending to be unintelligent or hiding one’s possessions with unattractive coverings. Such ways are contrary to Laozi’s philosophy, for Laozi had always cherished one to act unpretentiously by following one’s simple primitive nature. For further elaborations on Laozi's philosophy, please see An English Translation and the Correct Interpretation of Laozi’s Tao Te Ching.
KS Vincent Poon, Oct. 2020.
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