# Distance from prevailing measures: summary

Describes distance from prevailing judgments and pleasures while retaining a distinct orientation.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi/chapter-20-distance-from-prevailing-measures

## Source and summary

[Laozi · Dao De Jing · Distance from prevailing measures](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E9%81%93%E5%BE%B7%E7%B6%93%20%28%E7%8E%8B%E5%BC%BC%E6%9C%AC%29&oldid=2354026#%E4%BA%8C%E5%8D%81%E7%AB%A0)

> 絕學無憂，唯之與阿，相去幾何？善之與惡，相去若何？人之所畏，不可不畏。

Describes distance from prevailing judgments and pleasures while retaining a distinct orientation.

## Editorial interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

## Business application

Before adopting a fashionable industry metric, check whether it measures value for your customers.

1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.

Deliverable: A comparison using distance from prevailing measures, with conditions for acting or declining.

## Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

## Validation question

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

[Laozi: a guide to the Dao De Jing](https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi)

[This material](https://sakimyto.com/classics-data/entries/laozi/chapter-20-distance-from-prevailing-measures.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0