#71 Self-knowledge is the Key to Mental Wellness

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 71: Discover why Lao Tzu believes self-knowledge helps develop clarity.

Oct 06, 2024

Welcome back to The Wisdom of Lao Tzu.

This week, we dive into the intriguing teachings of Chapter 71 of the Tao Te Ching, where Lao Tzu bluntly calls out those who fail to recognize their limits as "sick-minded."

But what does it truly mean to "know" something? And how can the insufficiency of understanding lead to hidden dangers in our thinking?

Let’s find out.

**71**

知不知，尚矣；

不知知，病也。

聖人不病，以其病病。

夫唯病病，是以不病。

Border-crossing: English translations

#1 Lin Yutang’s version

Who knows that he does not know is the highest;

Who (pretends to) know what he does not know is sick-minded.

And who recognizes sick-mindedness as sick-mindedness is not sick-minded.

The Sage is not sick-minded.

Because he recognizes sick-mindedness as sick-mindedness,

Therefore he is not sick-minded.

#2 Edmund Ryden’s version

To know that one does not know is the best.

To not know that one does not know is the worst.

Now only if you understand that this worst is worst will it not be worst.

For this reason,

The Sage avoids the worst by understanding that the worst is worst and so it is not the worst.1

#3 D. C. Lau’s version

To know yet to think that one does not know is best;

Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.

It is by being alive to difficulty that one can avoid it.

The sage meets with no difficulty.

It is because he is alive to it that he meets with no difficulty.2

Deeper dive

Self-knowledge is a cornerstone of wisdom, as Lao Tzu famously said, "He who knows others is clever; he who knows himself has discernment."

Self-Knowledge and Clarity

This clarity is not simply about intellect or information. It’s about understanding the self in a profound, ongoing process.

Lao Tzu’s personal principle of humility is critical to developing this idea. By recognizing one’s limits, one avoids the danger of extreme thinking—believing that they have figured everything out.

True wisdom lies in knowing the insufficiency of one’s understanding and maintaining an open mind.

This is how we avoid the dangers of ignorance.

Ignorance, more often than not, is self-imposed. It arises when we assume we know more than we truly do.

This false sense of certainty traps the mind and leads to self-inflicted limitations. When one is unaware of their blind spots, the mind becomes entangled in rigid thinking, which can manifest in several ways:

Ideological capture: A person becomes bound by a fixed belief system, unable to see beyond it.
Emotional attachment: Strong emotions tied to specific narratives blind us to alternative viewpoints.
Logical entrapment: Over-reliance on certain lines of reasoning prevents the mind from expanding or considering new information.

This combination of factors leads to a closed worldview that stifles growth and learning.

The path to self-improvement

Achieving true clarity requires more than knowledge—it demands the shedding of preconceived notions, ideologies, and rigid belief systems.

It requires first to see the patterns that control our thoughts.

As Chuang Tzu describes his concept of "fasting of the mind" 「心齋」, the highest form of spiritual freedom is allowing thoughts to come and go without clinging to them. While achieving this ideal is difficult, it serves as a reminder to detach from mental control and cultivate a mind that is always open to transformation.

True clarity emerges when we stop holding onto rigid ideas and allow ourselves to remain mentally flexible. We become spiritually autonomous, free from the grasp of ideologies and systems that otherwise dictate our thinking. In other words, it requires that we thoroughly understand them and then become detached.

Part of gaining self-knowledge is understanding that we do not, and cannot, know everything. This awareness drives us toward growth and improvement.

In contrast, those who believe they know everything fall into arrogance and complacency.

This mindset leads to intolerance and a narrow understanding of the world, often without the individual even realizing it.

In contrast, those who recognize their limitations develop an open-minded attitude, constantly seeking to learn more. This perspective fosters deeper understanding, encourages continuous self-improvement, and promotes mutual tolerance of diverse viewpoints.

Self-knowledge is not just an intellectual exercise but an emotional and spiritual discipline. It requires humility and the willingness to admit that there is always more to learn.

Spiritual Taoism

A closed worldview is one that refuses to evolve, locking itself into rigid structures of thought.

Thought control, whether imposed by an individual on themselves or by a regime on society, reflects the ultimate manifestation of this mental entrapment. This is more than just intellectual stagnation. It is a sickness of the mind, a form of deliberate ignorance that narrows one's outlook on life.

The dangers of a closed worldview

When a person clings too tightly to their mental comfort zone, they become resistant to new ideas. This leads to a distorted way of thinking where one's beliefs are seen as the only valid perspective. A person who behaves this way is likely to be led astray, trapped in their own ignorance.

But when a regime or government employs thought control and cracks down on intellectual freedom, the consequences are far more severe. Nothing good can come from suppressing the freedom of thought, speech, or conscience.

History shows that societies built on such repression inevitably collapse into fear and mistrust, ultimately stifling progress and innovation.

Yet, leaving the comfort zone of the mind is more challenging than we often realize.

Intellectual freedom requires the courage to explore, to be challenged, and to accept uncertainty. Yet many people and regimes choose the illusion of safety over freedom.

Material comfort and security are easier to grasp, and remaining in one’s mental comfort zone comes with tangible rewards.

George Orwell’s 1984 portrays a world where “Ignorance is Strength,” and the manipulation of truth and thought is used to control the masses. In such a totalitarian vision, freedom becomes a corrupted concept.

The subjugation of the human mind, the deprivation of intellectual freedom, and the warping of human imagination are the tools of totalitarian control. These regimes foster a closed worldview that denies the essence of humanity—our innate desire for freedom, curiosity, exploration, and adventure.

Totalitarianism offers a perverted version of humanity, one where human freedom and free will are treated as unrealistic, even dangerous, ideals.

It seeks to dominate not just individuals’ bodies but also their souls. In such a system, individual imagination and intellectual autonomy are threats that must be crushed to maintain control.

Thought control leads to a hollow society, where conformity is valued over creativity and obedience over wisdom.

Ideological propaganda, the pervasive existence of thought police, and the diffusion of constant fear and trepidation shatter the space of the individual mind to create the reality of a society composed of atomized individuals.

“Who (pretends to) know what he does not know is sick-minded.”

The dark vision of totalitarianism comes alive when invisible forces succeed in making the masses unaware of their own ignorance. Through propaganda, the control of information, and sheer force to intimidate, as everyone in a totalitarian society has something to lose if they rebel, this unawareness takes root.

Bit by bit, the power of conformity grows, and the mind shrinks in submission, no longer able to distinguish truth from lie. With time passing, everyone living under this system becomes both a victim and an accomplice.

What remains is a hollowed-out awareness, molded by those who intend to manipulate, to dominate, until ignorance is no longer seen as ignorance but as strength and way of life.

Thanks for reading!

I understand this week’s theme may feel a bit heavy, and perhaps even uncomfortable for some of you. So, to lighten the mood, let me share a quote from Chuang Tzu:

“Your life has a limit, but knowledge has none. If you use what is limited to pursue what has no limit, you will be in danger.”

We all need moments to relax and refresh. I hope you’re able to find your own ways to recharge and embrace the balance between learning and living.

All the best,

Yuxuan

P.S. A little anecdote from my undergraduate days studying totalitarianism: When I presented a paper on George Orwell and Hannah Arendt at a conference held by Beijing Foreign Studies University in 2013, a perceptive and kind professor on our panel gave me some advice. After my presentation, she gently warned me to be cautious with my thoughts when drawing parallels between theory and social reality, especially when speaking about them in public in China. To this day, I still remember her genuine care and wise words.