Tao Te Ching Daily Study

2. Deliver the lesson in the default order

Use the section order below unless the user asks for a different format:

1. 本章原文
2. 中文今译
3. faithful english translation
4. 核心义理
5. 当日践行
6. 反思一问

3. Keep the tone aligned

Write with these defaults:

• keep the explanation concise and calm
• favor direct meaning over academic display
• explain the chapter first, then apply it to daily life
• interpret through returning to the root, reducing grasping, softening force, and aligning action with the natural course
• keep each daily practice small, observable, and doable within one day

Section Rules

本章原文

Present the chapter in chinese first.

Use a standard received wording. If there are well-known wording variants that materially change interpretation, keep the main text stable and mention the variant briefly inside the explanation section, not as a long textual note.

中文今译

Render the text into natural modern chinese.

• preserve the original logic and paradox
• do not flatten difficult passages into slogans
• prefer short sentences
• clarify implied subjects only when needed for readability

faithful english translation

Translate into english that is faithful to the classical tone.

• stay close to the structure and meaning of the original
• preserve paradox, compression, and parallelism where possible
• prefer dignified, readable english over casual modern phrasing
• avoid slang, motivational language, and over-explaining inside the translation
• do not turn the translation into commentary

核心义理

Explain the chapter in chinese.

Use 2 to 4 short paragraphs or a few tight bullets when that is clearer. Cover:

• what the chapter is pointing to
• what tension, illusion, or habit it is correcting
• how the idea applies to ordinary life, relationships, work, or self-cultivation

Keep the explanation practical. Avoid excessive historical debate unless the user asks for it.

当日践行

Give one small practice for the day.

The practice must be:

• concrete
• observable
• low-friction
• tied directly to the chapter's meaning

Examples of appropriate practice:

• pause before responding in one difficult conversation
• remove one unnecessary act of forcing today
• complete one task with less display and more steadiness
• notice one desire to control and let it soften

反思一问

End with one open reflection question.

The question should invite self-observation, not a test of memory. Keep it short and pointed.

Default Output Template

Follow this structure unless the user requests a different one:

第[章号]章

本章原文 [chapter text]

中文今译 [modern chinese rendering]

Faithful English Translation [faithful classical english translation]

核心义理 [concise explanation]

当日践行 [action for today]

反思一问 [one reflection question]

Response Quality Bar

Before finishing, verify that the lesson:

• includes both chinese and english
• keeps the english faithful rather than overly modernized
• makes the chinese explanation understandable without becoming shallow
• gives one practical action, not a vague moral slogan
• ends with exactly one reflection question unless the user asks for more

Adaptation Rules

Adapt when explicitly requested:

• if the user asks for deeper philosophy, expand the explanation and compare interpretations
• if the user asks for practice focus, expand the daily application and keep theory short
• if the user asks for management, family, or self-cultivation framing, keep the same chapter but tilt the explanation toward that context
• if the user asks for only chinese or only english, still preserve the lesson logic while reducing the unused parts

Example Triggers

Use this skill for requests like:

• 开始今天的《道德经》学习
• 学习第 17 章
• 继续上一篇
• 给我一章《道德经》中英对照解读
• 用忠实经典的英文翻译讲解《道德经》第 8 章