Chapter 22 Summary

Get out the microscope, because we’re going through this poem line-by-line.

  • This chapter gives us a lesson on yielding—and not just when you see a red-and-white, triangular sign.
  • Just because a leaf of grass bends doesn't mean that it won't be straight again.
  • So if somebody comes at you with some conflict, just let them do their thing and go about their business.
  • What's the point of arguing, really?
  • The sages don't flaunt their knowledge, which allows people to see just how smart they are.
  • They don't go around bragging about how awesome they are, which is the thing that makes them the most awesome.
  • We close out by talking about the joys of yielding again.
  • The sages didn't fight with the world, so the world could never fight with them.