The ancient Chinese wisdom of Tao is based on the Tao Te Ching - a book itself shrouded in mysterious origins hundreds of years before Christ, often attributed to Lao Tzu. According to legend, he had been the keeper of the Imperial Library at the ancient capital of Loyang. Disgusted with government corruption (and they say prostitution is the oldest profession!), he chose to leave the city forever and head out into the desert wilderness. The legend continues that a guard at the city gates begged LaoTzu to write down his great wisdoms before leaving.
And so the Tao Te Ching was born - philosophical masterworks replete with paradoxes, subtleties, and complexities within simplicities. In boiling that pot down, the sage writings in large part teach about patience and understanding as we work in harmony with life's circumstances and Nature.
And so here are a few quotes that I thought you might like to read and muse over on this fine-looking Hump Day here in the Carolinas...
(by Lao Tzu)
And so the Tao Te Ching was born - philosophical masterworks replete with paradoxes, subtleties, and complexities within simplicities. In boiling that pot down, the sage writings in large part teach about patience and understanding as we work in harmony with life's circumstances and Nature.
And so here are a few quotes that I thought you might like to read and muse over on this fine-looking Hump Day here in the Carolinas...
(by Lao Tzu)
Fill your bowl to the brim,
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife,
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security,
and your heart will be tight.
Care about people's approval,
and you will be their prisoner.
Do your work and then step back -
The only path to serenity.
----------
The best people are like water.
They benefit all things,
And do not compete with them.
They settle in low places,
One with Nature, one with Tao.
----------
I hold three treasures
close to my heart.
The first is love;
The next, simplicity;
The third, overcoming ego.
----------
Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profundity.
Kindness in giving creates love.
----------
Do not conquer the world with force,
For force only causes resistance.
Thorns spring up when an army passes.
Years of misery follow a great victory.
Do only what needs to be done,
Without using violence.
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife,
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security,
and your heart will be tight.
Care about people's approval,
and you will be their prisoner.
Do your work and then step back -
The only path to serenity.
----------
The best people are like water.
They benefit all things,
And do not compete with them.
They settle in low places,
One with Nature, one with Tao.
----------
I hold three treasures
close to my heart.
The first is love;
The next, simplicity;
The third, overcoming ego.
----------
Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profundity.
Kindness in giving creates love.
----------
Do not conquer the world with force,
For force only causes resistance.
Thorns spring up when an army passes.
Years of misery follow a great victory.
Do only what needs to be done,
Without using violence.
2 comments:
Thanks for this Bob. Many people could benefit if they were more patient, and more understanding.
Will
You're right, Will - I have to remind myself to practice what I preach! Too many are too quick to judge and vilify, eh?
bob
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