Te Chin., lit. “virtue, power”; the energy of the Tao; the inherent principle, i.e., the qualities or nature each thing receives from the Tao, making it what it is, and through which it manifests in the phenomenal world. In addition, te signifies the virtue attained by realizing the Tao.
The Tao-te ching accords to te the same attributes as to the Tao itself: it is deep, profound, mysterious; it enables man to return to childlike innocence, natural simplicity (p’u).
Confucius (K’ung-tzu) considers te to be a quality possessed by noble and civilized human beings and argues that a sage, because of his te, becomes a cultural ideal and a model for his fellowmen.
Concerning the Tao and te, Chapter 5 1 of the Tao-te ching (Feng & English 1 9 72) states,
All things arise from Tao.
They are nourished by Virtue [te].
They are formed from matter.
They are shaped by environment.
Thus the ten thousand things all respect Tao and
honor Virtue.
Respect of Tao and honor of Virtue are not demanded,
But they are in the nature of things.
Therefore all things arise from Tao.
By Virtue they are nourished,
Developed, cared for,
Sheltered, comforted,
Grown, and protected.
Creating without claiming,
Doing without taking credit,
Guiding without interfering,
This is the Primal Virtue.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zen. Shambhala Publications, Inc.
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