Alexia Dominique Reyes
Such a quick read. I just went to bed, and then I finished a book. Wow! But seriously, Tao Te Ching was less descriptive than I expected, especially knowing that this has become a religion. Anyone can practice its teachings, though, because simply going with the flow can lead to great things. Here are quotable stanzas (without the breaks) because this is btw a collection of poems:
- "The best way to live is to be like water, for water benefits all things and goes against none of them. It provides for all people and even cleanses those places a man is loath to go."
- "One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things. He moves in harmony with the present moment, always knowing the truth of just what to do."
- "Become totally empty. Quiet the restlessness of the mind. Only then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness."
- "Do not flaunt your excellence. Do not rejoice over victory. With the loss of others, weep with sorrow and grief. After winning a battle, do not celebrate; observe the rights of a funeral. One who is bound to action, proud of victory, and delights in the misfortune of others will never gain a thing from this world below Heaven."
- "To become learned, gain daily. To obtain Tao, reduce daily. Reduce and reduce again until all action is reduced to non-action. Then no one is left. Nothing is done yet nothing is left undone."
- "One who speaks does not know. One who knows does not speak."
- "To rule the state, have a known plan. To win a battle, have an unknown plan. To gain the universe, have no plan at all. Let the universe itself reveal to you its splendor."
- "If a person seems wicked, do no cast him away. Awaken him with your words. Elevate him with your deeds. Requite his injury with your kindness. Do not cast him away; cast away his wickedness."
- "Begin your task before it becomes a burden. Put things in order before they get out of hand. Remember, a tree that fills a man's embrace grows from a seedling. A tower nine stories high starts with one brick. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
- "He who wishes to rule over the people must speak as if below them. He who wishes to lead the people must walk as if behind them. So the Sage rules over the people, but he does not weigh them down. He leads the people, but he does not block their way."
- "One with true virtue always seeks a way to give. One who lacks true virtue always seeks a way to get. To the giver comes the fullness of life, to the taker just an empty hand."
Non-action is not the best action to take sometimes. I see a similarity between Taoism and Stoicism: If something didn't go your way or according to plan, don't stress over it. Go with the flow because it may lead you to a better place or position.
Such a quick read. I just went to bed, and then I finished a book. Wow! But seriously, Tao Te Ching was less descriptive than I expected, especially knowing that this has become a religion. Anyone can practice its teachings, though, because simply going with the flow can lead to great things. Here are quotable stanzas (without the breaks) because this is btw a collection of poems:
- "The best way to live is to be like water, for water benefits all things and goes against none of them. It provides for all people and even cleanses those places a man is loath to go."
- "One who lives in accordance with nature does not go against the way of things. He moves in harmony with the present moment, always knowing the truth of just what to do."
- "Become totally empty. Quiet the restlessness of the mind. Only then will you witness everything unfolding from emptiness."
- "Do not flaunt your excellence. Do not rejoice over victory. With the loss of others, weep with sorrow and grief. After winning a battle, do not celebrate; observe the rights of a funeral. One who is bound to action, proud of victory, and delights in the misfortune of others will never gain a thing from this world below Heaven."
- "To become learned, gain daily. To obtain Tao, reduce daily. Reduce and reduce again until all action is reduced to non-action. Then no one is left. Nothing is done yet nothing is left undone."
- "One who speaks does not know. One who knows does not speak."
- "To rule the state, have a known plan. To win a battle, have an unknown plan. To gain the universe, have no plan at all. Let the universe itself reveal to you its splendor."
- "If a person seems wicked, do no cast him away. Awaken him with your words. Elevate him with your deeds. Requite his injury with your kindness. Do not cast him away; cast away his wickedness."
- "Begin your task before it becomes a burden. Put things in order before they get out of hand. Remember, a tree that fills a man's embrace grows from a seedling. A tower nine stories high starts with one brick. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
- "He who wishes to rule over the people must speak as if below them. He who wishes to lead the people must walk as if behind them. So the Sage rules over the people, but he does not weigh them down. He leads the people, but he does not block their way."
- "One with true virtue always seeks a way to give. One who lacks true virtue always seeks a way to get. To the giver comes the fullness of life, to the taker just an empty hand."
Non-action is not the best action to take sometimes. I see a similarity between Taoism and Stoicism: If something didn't go your way or according to plan, don't stress over it. Go with the flow because it may lead you to a better place or position.