Five Colours Blind the Eye

A whole evening of scrolling: why do you remember almost none of it?

Original

五色令人目盲，五音令人耳聾，五味令人口爽，馳騁畋獵令人心發狂，難得之貨令人行妨。是以聖人為腹不為目，故去彼取此。

In plain words

The five colours blind the eye. The five notes deafen the ear. The five flavours dull the tongue. Racing and hunting drive the heart wild. Rare goods lead people astray. So the sage looks after the belly, not the eye. He lets that go and keeps this.

Key words

爽shuǎngOld sense: to go wrong. The palate is spoiled and tastes nothing.
畋獵tián lièHunting: the most thrilling pastime of the ancient elite.
為腹wèi fùTending real, basic needs; gathering inward.

Reading it step by step

Yesterday: we must draw distinctions to survive, but once we do, wanting follows. Today Laozi lays out the roads wanting travels most: the eye, the ear, the tongue, and a heart that won't sit still.

First: "five" means "everything." Five colours, five notes, five flavours: the ancient version of the full menu. The more stimulation, the duller the senses. After a week of heavy takeaway, plain rice tastes of nothing. After an evening of short videos, a book feels unbearably slow. The eye isn't broken. It is stuffed full, and can no longer see what is subtle.

Second: the heart goes wild faster than the senses. Racing and hunting were the great thrills of the ancient world. As you chase the quarry, the heart runs further and further away. Rare goods are worse. Think of heist films: a crew of a dozen hits a bank, a casino, a gallery with a famous painting. The thing itself doesn't summon thieves. We first crowned it a treasure, and that made it a target. Laozi saw it clearly. Our strength gets scattered across time and space. Booked from morning to night, meeting this person and that, we end up as a string of titles, no longer sure who we are.

Third: "the belly, not the eye." The belly stands for real needs that turn inward: enough food, good sleep, a body at ease. The eye stands for outward wanting that never fills up: see something, want to see more. Laozi loves simplicity. If one person can do the job, don't trouble two. If one dish fills you, don't order a second. What Laozi cares about is living long, and living well, so he gathers himself in early. A life poured outward looks lively from the outside while it quietly burns through its strength. Keep things simple and the mind stays undisturbed, and the strength you save stays with you. "Let that go and keep this" is a choice, not a slogan.

for the eye

chasing outward

the more you see, the less you notice

for the belly

gathering inward

enough is enough; keep your strength

Today's five colours and five notes live in your pocket: notifications, ads, shopping carts, feeds without end. You don't have to throw the phone away. Start small. When you eat, just eat. When you walk, just walk. Give yourself ten screen-free minutes before bed and ask what you actually needed today. It is usually less than you think; most of the rest was the eye wanting on your behalf.

Look after the belly first, and the eye will learn to see again.

One line to carry

Feed the belly first; then the eye can see.

Today's question

When today was your eye full but your heart empty? What one small thing could you “let go of” tomorrow?

Quick check

Which is closest to “the belly, not the eye”?

Next pageHeaven and Earth Play No FavouritesPage 4

I · Facing a World in Disorder — When values and meaning both wobble, what can we stand on?

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