Irony of Possession
Lao-Tzu sets down his knowledge in a book, which is possessed in order to be read. Those who possess something, in his eyes, lose it; those who do not, gain that thing. This thing, the Tao, is taught through the book, yet focus on it causes it to be lost.
Irony of Action
Actions cause the transformations Lao-Tzu sets forth, and the reader is told to act in a way that strikes a balance between unaware and simply unintentional. The one who would follow the Tao must keep a portion of their mind aware of that which they wish to emulate; the desire to excise this intention is irony of action.
Irony of Learning
Lao-Tzu writes, "Banish learning, no more grief." However, the reader is learning about the Tao through the very of engaging with the text. This irony directs the reader's focus to the concept of the Tao itself because it does not allow an easy exit from the complicated framework Lao-Tzu sets forth.
Irony of Control
Much of the Tao Te Ching seems to discourage active rule, but Lao-Tzu writes, "Use Tao to help rule the people." This irony is resolved with the word "help." Without it, the statement presents a clear refutation of the rest of the book; with it, the reader sees the value of impersonal help.
Irony of Origination
Lao-Tzu writes, "Yu sheng yü wu." As translated by Stephen Addiss and Stanley Lombardo, "All things originate from being. / Being originates from non-being." Being is thus not a thing but a changing state; placed into context of the previous moment, which states "Reversal is Tao's movement. / Yielding is Tao's practice.", the line sets up a fundamental irony which seeks to work back from the current existence of everything but comes to a halt. The pared-down irony is that the status of "non-being" as a concept and end of an inquiry is uncertain.
